Remember earlier in the year when a lot of people -- us included -- were gushing about the improved defense of the Timberwolves? Well, now it's time to say this: Without Ricky Rubio, the team's defense is once again well below average.
As the bad news continues to mount for this squad -- Luke Ridnour sprained his ankle last night -- let's not lose sight of the biggest truth, which becomes more clear with each passing day: The season died when Rubio tore his ACL. And it's not so much on offense as it is on defense that things have fallen apart.
Consider: In the first 41 games this season, when Rubio was healthy, the Wolves never allowed more than 111 points in a game. Their defensive rating was somewhere near the middle -- often better than the middle. In only 14 games since the injury, during which time Minnesota is 4-10, the squad has allowed more than 111 points SIX different times. Yes, the six highest totals against the Wolves this season have all come in the last 14 games.
A small portion of it could be attributed to other injuries. Another small portion could be chalked up to NBA offenses getting better as the rushed season has moved along. But that doesn't fully account for the massive drop-off without Rubio, an active defender who harassed teams into bad decisions and short shot clocks.
The Wolves are giving up 107.9 ppg without Rubio. Overall, they are allowing 99.5 ppg, an average inflated over the last 14 games. That's average is dangerously creeping toward the century mark. In games when they allow 100 points this season, the Wolves are 5-21. And that's exactly what they are right now without Rubio: A bad defensive team, and therefore a losing team.
