Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'

T'Wolves Face Issues Before Rubio Joins Team

Blake Griffin may have been the first pick in the NBA Draft, but the sports business headlines emanating from WaMu Theatre involve a Spanish teenager and two of the most popular players in the game. Phenom Ricky Rubio falls to the T’Wolves with the No. 5 pick, but it is far from certain the Target Center fans will see the point guard this season. Rubio’s buyout from his Spanish pro team is a point of contention, as is apparently the city he would call home. Rubio’s father even comes out and says the 18 year old may stay in Spain for a couple more years before coming to the NBA. Meanwhile, the blockbuster trades of Shaquille O’Neal and Vince Carter seem directly tied to the state of the economy. ESPN’s Jeff Van Gundy: “Certain teams are playing to win, certain teams are trying to stave off the economic downturn.” Also in SBD: BDA Sports wins the representation game with six first-round selections.