RIO DE JANEIRO - Tom Thibodeau and Ricky Rubio met earlier this summer in Minneapolis and have spoken briefly in Rio. The new Timberwolves coach and his inherited point guard will duel, in their own way, in the semifinals of the Olympic basketball tournament, months after Thibodeau selected another point guard with the fifth pick in the draft.
Both are peaking just in time to make the matchup important for the U.S. as well as fascinating for Timberwolves fans.
Rubio played two sloppy, unproductive games as Spain started the tournament 0-2. In his past four games, he has reprised his NBA career, running Spain's offense, playing intense defense and making himself an asset even when he hasn't shot well.