Timberwolves point guard Ricky Rubio is the recipient of the Pro Basketball Writers Association Minnesota chapter's inaugural Flip Saunders award for his cooperation with the media.
In the name of full transparency, I'm the chapter chair and in consultation with local PBWA members Jon Krawczynski and Derek James as well as others who regularly work the beat we've chosen Ricky for the 2015-16 season winner as recognition and a thank you for his accesssibility and his always honest and thoughtful answers, just like the man after whom the award is named.
Nobody takes losses -- and there have been plenty of them, as you well know -- harder than him, but he's almost always available and frank, no matter his mood. That's appreciated by all who cover him.
An announcement will be made by arena announcer Rod Johnson before tonight's game against Houston and Ricky later will receive a plaque honoring him.
