SAN ANTONIO – Two games into a new season, with a new coach and a new system, late in a game at Sacramento, Ricky Rubio was pushed to the ground by the Kings’ Kosta Koufos. Then Rubio was kicked by Anthony Toliver while bracing himself on the floor.
Just like that, two former Timberwolves had knocked Rubio out of action because of a sprained right elbow.
This was not how Rubio wanted this all to start.
After finishing Wolves practice Monday in a church gym in San Antonio, Rubio brought this up only to explain why things were so difficult for him then, and how much better they are for him now.