Ricky Rubio was already an exceptionally talented player way before he made it to the NBA. Hailing from Spain, Rubio quickly made a name for himself on American soil with his flashy plays.
While he was well aware that he had what it takes to be in the NBA, Ricky understood that skills alone weren't enough. He knew early on that he had to constantly work on his arsenal, fine-tune some facets of his game and add more abilities if possible.
Admittedly, Rubio yearned to shoot like Stephen Curry . In an interview with Sports Illustrated back in 2015, "La Pistola" even stated that Curry's shooting prowess was the skill he would have stolen from another NBA player if given the chance.
" Stephen Curry 's shooting," Ricky said . "In the Finals and all year long, he was even shooting without his feet set and he was still able to make that shot. He has a special touch. That's something I would like to have."
Unlike some American point guards, Rubio wasn't athletic and explosive. His game was smooth like most European players.
With that in mind, "Rickycesto" also realized that apart from shooting, he also had to master his floaters. For Rubio, it was better to work smarter than harder, and he figured it would be easier and more effective if he threw some high-percentage floaters over taller and stronger defenders.
Moreover, Rubio noticed that having a distinct floater that works all the time has become a staple skill in the bags of most NBA guards.
"You always think about adding all this stuff, but the floater is really important for a guard with the big guys inside. It's a weapon that guys like Stephen Curry, Kyrie Irving, and Tony Parker have. They make a big difference just because of that," Rubio continued.
"[You have to] find your own one. Sometimes you keep shooting different floaters until you find the right one. It's the one that fits you. Steph Curry's floater is different than Tony Parker's. You try to find it. It's not easy to find. If it were easy, I would have it by now, and everyone would have one," he added.
Rubio's dedication did not go unnoticed. He became a fan favorite with the Minnesota Timberwolves , where he played the best years of his NBA career.
Ricky averaged 10.1 points, 8.1 assists and two steals per game in his seven-year run with the T-Wolves. Along with Kevin Love , Rubio brought a different type of excitement to Minnesota, even though they weren't able to make the playoffs.
Unfortunately for Rubio, injuries derailed him from reaching NBA superstardom. However, apart from the devastation brought about by his injuries, Ricky also faced some challenges with his mental health.
Ultimately, Rubio came to the conclusion that the NBA wasn't for him . In January 2024, the Spaniard decided to retire and step away from the league.
"I was a star in Minneapolis; it was the early days of YouTube, which helped. I had to create a persona, even though I didn't want to. I never fell in love with U.S. culture, but the NBA became a show and a business. The love for basketball has been lost, and that's spreading to Europe. What do I carry from the U.S.? A list of things I would never do," Rubio once reflected.
I's hard to imagine how Rubio's NBA career would've panned out had he been able to improve his overall game without injuries or mental health issues.
This story was originally published by Basketball Network on Feb 1, 2026, where it first appeared in the Old School section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
