Ten Things That Canada Taught Me

Canada Flag

It’s the final issue of the Interrobang for this school year, and honestly, it’s gone by so fast. It seems like yesterday was the first day of class and it’s already the end of a fruitful year. While I’ve been writing about all these different Canadian things that catch my eye, I've often been asked "what has Canada has taught you?"
She’s taught me a lot, all in such a short time, and I list just a few below in no particular order:

10. Hockey is life: I’d be livid with myself if hockey wasn’t on this list. I grew up watching the very limited hockey that ESPN would broadcast back in India. I fell in love with the Anaheim Ducks and NHL 2002 back in the day, but to actually live in the country where it’s considered a pastime in the winter has been unreal, in a word. Cue the celly...

9. Poutine is heavenly: French fries with cheese and gravy: Poutine. Poo-teen for those still wondering how it's pronounced. I still remember the first one I had, back at Oasis, the school cafeteria if I may, back in October 2011. I’ve been hooked on the stuff ever since. Now, it’s been brought to my attention that too much poutine isn’t the best thing ever, mainly because it’s so fattening and unhealthy, but let’s be frank here, it’s delicious. And because it is delicious, I’m going to make the exception every so often. Mmm, gravy...

8. 12°C is warm weather: Back in Calcutta, India, our winters would touch 12°C. Sometimes, if we got lucky, it would drop to 9°C or so. It used to be freezing cold back then. The other day when my dad called and I told him 12°C was warm, he gasped. Now that I've lived here for seven months, I now know that is 12°C warm weather. Why even the other day when it was 3°C, I told myself it's warm, so I guess old man winter has yet to show me what he can do. Perhaps a trip to Winnipeg or Alberta might change all that, but until then, "To the beach..."

7. The Toronto Maple Leafs are really awful: Sorry, Leafs fans, but you know I had to. I knew you guys never made the playoffs since the lockout; I never knew it’s been such a long, unfruitful run. It’s tough on you guys, I can empathize, but this is something that I came across only after coming to the Great White North. And I love it. The odds of laughing at James Reimer, or the Phil Kessel trade, or the fact that the team is just god awful. Buck up, lads, you’ll be playoff-bound soon. Or not.

6. The Arkells are brilliant: The Arkells are an amazing band. And they’re Canadian. I’d never heard about them, and now they fill up my iPod. I’d say coming to Canada has really opened my eyes to a lot of great music that you would never ever hear of if you stayed in India. I’m disappointed with myself for not going to the Arkells show in London a few months back, but I plan to see them if and when they return to London. Until then, my iPod has to work overtime.

5. Without Tim Hortons, this country would be static: You really didn't think I’d forget Tim Hortons, did you? Without Tim Hortons, there is no Canada (if you permit me to exaggerate just a little bit). It’s true, though; Timmies are in every part of the country I’ve seen. After all, who doesn't like to grab a hot coffee and a donut, and oh need I mention 'Rrroll up the Rim'? 1 in 6 odds? I laugh at that Tim Hortons. Still, I'm hooked. And now, to grab myself a large double-double and roll up the rim...

4. Nickelback is not everyone’s cup of tea: Honestly, this one surprised me to a degree. I grew up listening to Nickelback, and when I came to Canada, I discover that they are despised in some parts of the country. I haven’t been able to decipher the reason so far, but rest assured I will try to put this mystery behind me. I set Rockstar as my alarm tone because it is so annoying. Everyone knows that, "Coz we all just wanna be big rock stars..."

3. Shovelling snow is a better workout than you’d get at GoodLife: For starters, I’ve never ever hit a gym in my life, so don’t count on me being an expert. What I can tell you is that shovelling snow is not fun. Every morning, in those sub-zero conditions, you go out and burn those calories. I did it for the first time ever this winter and it wasn’t pleasant. And you know what the best part is? You get to do it all over again the next day.

2. Bilingualism is in: This is one thing that’s impressed me so far. I’ve never been to Quebec, but I hear it’s a lot more French biased. Ignoring that fact, everything I’ve seen is bilingual. I see it as promoting cultural diversity, which I believe is a great thing. French-Canadian or English- Canadian is still Canadian, and that is the main thing. Merci.

1. ‘Eh’: Hilarious as this may seem, this is a word I’ve observed numerous people use, whether on the bus or in the halls of Fanshawe. The word seems to be a conjunction finding its way into many sentences, although I’ve seen it as a standalone word numerous times.Where did I first hear it eh? Only everywhere, and by everywhere I mean everywhere. And you know what the funniest bit is right now? I use it myself. Funny how that works, eh?

It’s been a great year in Canada and at Fanshawe. I’ve made so many friends and met new people. I love this country, to tell you frankly: the culture, the food, the people. It’s definitely one of the best decisions I’ve made in life. The country has grown on me and I can’t wait to be back next year.

Until then, Canaduh 1, 'Murica 0 

Originally Written for the Interrobang: http://www.fsu.ca/interrobang_article.asp?storyID=8423&sectionID=2&issueID=203
Image Credit: http://mobi-wall.brothersoft.com/files/640480/c/12814388987247.jpg
Video Credit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HOm-15621bs

This Is It...

Surprise MVP Candidate: Kevin Love

So here we are; the last issue of the Interrobang for this school year. While the NBA season will still go on, it won’t be possible to write more about the league. In that regard, this will be my playoff preview, if I may call it that.

At the time of writing, just two teams have clinched playoff spots: The Chicago Bulls and the Oklahoma City Thunder. Hardly surprising there, I would say; these are the two teams I fancy to top their respective conferences. Miami sits second in their conference and they should qualify next, but one team that has caught my eye is the San Antonio Spurs. They sit second in the West and have played just 50 games (at the time of writing). Remarkable, considering many view them as an ‘aging team.’

On the other side of things, three teams are already out of playoff contention: the New Orleans Hornets, the Washington Wizards and the Charlotte Bobcats. The fourth worst win percentage (at a modest .340) is Toronto. At this moment, they look to be the next team headed out of playoff contention.

Jeremy Lin is out injured; he’s expected to be out for six weeks. That could be six long weeks for the New York Knicks as they sit in eighth place in the East and the Milwaukee Bucks are right on their tail. The NBA playoffs begin on April 28 and if the Knicks do squeeze into the playoffs, they will be up against the Bulls, and honestly, they would be massive underdogs in that matchup.

If the league were to end with the standings as they are, there is one matchup that will be interesting to watch: the L.A. Lakers against the Dallas Mavericks. Remember Dallas swept the Lakers aside last year in their conference semi-final matchup, so Kobe Bryant and company will be out for revenge. By no means has this Dallas team impressed me so far, so I won’t put it beyond the Lakers to take the series this time around should it occur.

All this discussion leads me towards another key question that basketball fans always seem to debate about: who will be this year’s MVP? I’ve come up with a few candidates who could take home top prize, but by no means is this list definitive:

• Kevin Durant: He missed out on this award last year. While Derrick Rose was a worthy winner, remember Durant didn’t get half as much coverage as Rose did. So for him to win the NBA MVP award will be a huge boost indeed.
• Derrick Rose: He’s arguably Chicago’s key player. Rose is one of the reasons why Chicago is running riot in the NBA this season. He scores when called upon and distributes the ball well. He’s another definite MVP candidate, but his injury layoff could hamper his chances.
• Chris Paul: He had his stellar seasons at New Orleans, and now that Paul is in L.A., he’s clicking well with the Clippers. Based on the Clippers’ season, he could end up with this award, and that is something that will drive the Lakers mad.
• LeBron James: James is always going to be on the MVP candidate list, he is that big a player. His offensive efficiency is excellent, while his rebounding and defence has been outstanding. He showed what he can do when Dwayne Wade was out, but the one thing James wants more than anything is the NBA ring that has eluded him all these years.
• Kevin Love: I’m going to take a huge gamble and place Love on this list. While most people expect the MVP to at least make the playoffs, this year Love has improved his game. I credit the Ricky Rubio effect as the key to this transition. While Minnesota’s failure to possibly make the playoffs could ruin Love’s chances for the award, his stats still show what he is capable of.
• Kobe Bryant: Kobe, Kobe, Kobe. He’s played injured and he’s scored key points to help the Lakers win games, so it’s no surprise that he is on this list as well. He’s leading the shortened NBA season in scoring. He’s also broken a couple of records this season, which adds to his credentials. So, I guess, while I might not be his biggest fan, this list would be incomplete without Bryant.

The league is winding down to an end, and Kentucky’s Anthony Davis tipped to be a first overall pick in 2012, which isn’t surprising, given his potential. This shortened NBA season is surely putting up some surprises. It’ll be sad when the season is over, but then you just have to wait a few more months for it to happen all over again. Amazing!

Originally Written for the Interrobang:http://www.fsu.ca/interrobang_article.asp?storyID=8433&sectionID=4&issueID=203
Image Credit: http://minnesota.publicradio.org/collections/special/columns/news_cut/content_images/love_buzzer.jpg
Video Credit:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UHfUQMv6uW0

Squeaky Bum Time

The top two teams in their respective conferences: Oklahoma City Thunder and the Chicago Bulls

It’s been little over four months since the NBA lockout ended, and it’s almost that time when we get a rough idea who’s making the playoffs and who isn’t going to. The league has entered into its fourth quarter and it’s time for the final push that could make or break a season.

One team that has already made the playoffs is the Chicago Bulls. The Bulls have been on fire this season and have crept up to favourites in my book. The Bulls’ key man and reigning MVP Derrick Rose has missed a few games recently due to injury. Having watched the Bulls play Denver, one couldn’t help but notice that Rose was being missed. It seems strange, but it’s true; the Bulls look like they need Rose back as soon as possible. While the playoff spot is secured, the top seed in the East is still a position up for grabs.

The New York Knicks, on the other hand, are still fighting, and with the rise of their go-to man, Jeremy Lin, all eyes are on the Knicks. Milwaukee looks to have pulled a smart trade: Monta Ellis is ensuring that the Knicks have all the pressure on them as the Bucks are closing in on eighth place in the East. New York will have to go without Amar’e Stoudemire, who suffered a back injury that could keep him out of the playoffs, should New York make it. Carmelo Anthony has been awful this season, to put it nicely. I was surprised when he made the All- Star team. It’s clearly his poorest season as a professional.

In my last article, I mentioned that Derek Fisher was traded to Houston, which was true at the time. Since then, he has moved on to the Oklahoma City Thunder, who claimed him off waivers. This is a move that could help the Thunder, as Fisher has a lot of playoff experience. In my reckoning, Fisher would play as the backup point guard, considering that Russell Westbrook is on the roster for OKC. They currently occupy top spot in the West and should clinch their own playoff berth soon.

Let’s be real here, the Toronto Raptors are going nowhere. Canada’s only team lacked the finesse needed to challenge for a playoff spot, constantly relying on Andrea Bargnani to deliver the goods. The Raptors are currently sitting 12th in the East with just 16 wins. They have, however, ‘stunned’ fans by dishing out the odd victory, most notably their win against New York: a 96-79 win that snapped New York’s fivegame winning streak. They also almost upset the Bulls, only to be undone by a somewhat lucky basket for Luol Deng in the dying seconds of overtime. A couple of good performances could maybe see the Raptors sneak into a playoff spot but I wouldn’t count on that happening. In the Raptors’ 117-101 defeat to the Orlando Magic, a loud cheer erupted when Toronto scored 100, not because they were leading with seconds to play, but because free pizza is offered to fans every time the team scores 100.

On a side note, the game that featured Atlanta and Utah was the first game to go to quadruple overtime since 1997 when Phoenix beat Portland. Atlanta beat Utah 139-133 in this game.

With most teams having fewer than 20 games left in the regular season, it’s crunch time. There are still playoff spots, particularly in the West, which could be claimed by a number of teams. If I were to make a prediction, I’d say that Chicago and Oklahoma will top both their conferences while the much-talked-about New York Knicks will only barely scrape into the playoffs this time around.

Originally Written for the Interrobang:http://www.fsu.ca/interrobang_article.asp?storyID=8381&sectionID=4&issueID=202
Image Credit:
Video Credit:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uxHy-tkwVEg

The Godfather of Canadian Music

Legendary Record Producer Jack Richardson

To be really honest with you, I was having trouble deciding what to write about this week. I was working on a story for the entertainment beat in my Broadcast Journalism program, which isn’t my strongest point by any means. Nevertheless, I happened to speak to John Young and Pat Maloney at the Fanshawe Student Union and I chanced upon the Jack Richardson Music Awards. Maloney is the Producer of the show, while Young is the Chair of the awards. I had never heard of Jack Richardson before, until I listened to a personality profile in class: a profile of Richardson.

Richardson shares his birthday with my brother, and that is probably the only connection I have with the man, but I did get a chance to speak to people who worked with him while he taught at Fanshawe. Richardson was an instructor in the Music Industry Arts program and his colleague, Steve Malison, has fond memories of him, “Jack and I were the morning crew, we would talk for an hour before class.” This went on every day, according to Malison. He went on to add that Richardson was not restricted to one genre, though many people thought he was. He had a vast influence on a number of musical acts and genres during his years as a record producer.

When Richardson passed away in 2011, Canada lost a legend. “I will never, ever forget how you changed my life,” were the words of The Guess Who frontman Burton Cummings on his blog. Richardson saw the music business from a variety of perspectives – as a musician, producer, advertising executive, record-company executive and college professor. His whole life was devoted to music, so much so that he took a second mortgage on his house to finance The Guess Who from Winnipeg to go down and showcase for a label in New York City. According to Maloney, who was in the last class that Jack taught at Fanshawe credits, that decision was “the start of the Canadian music industry as we know it today.”

In total, Richardson produced 14 albums for The Guess Who, five of which were certified platinum in Canada, with three of them reaching that mark in the U.S. He has received 38 gold and platinum awards for his production work. He also won the Walt Grealis Special Achievement Award at the Juno Awards in 1986. Such was his impact on Canadian music production that in 2002, the Juno Awards category for Producer of the Year was renamed the Jack Richardson Producer of the Year award. Richardson is also a member of the Canadian Music Hall of Fame. And that’s not all; he was also made a member of the Order of Canada in 2003.

Though Richardson has passed, his memory lives on among us. The Jack Richardson Music Awards are held annually in the Forest City. It carries on the legacy that created by the ‘Godfather of Canadian Music.’ Jack chose to live in London for a while, and every year at the Jack Richardson Music awards, local talent is given a platform to shine and stand out. This year will be the first time that the show goes on without the watchful and supportive eyes of Richardson. It should definitely be an emotional night and it all happens April 15 at the London Music Hall (185 Queens Ave). For more information, check out jrma.ca.

Originally Written for the Interrobang:http://www.fsu.ca/interrobang_article.asp?storyID=8374&sectionID=2&issueID=202
Image Credit:http://cashboxcanada.ca/sites/default/files/images/Jack%20Richardson%20at%20'the%20board'.jpg
VIdeo Credit:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xIUj8rVStIg

Movers and Shakers

The LA Lakers traded long time guard Derek Fisher to the Houston Rockets

The 2012 NBA trade deadline came and went and it left some basketball fans like me wondering things like would Dwight Howard be traded? Would Pau Gasol be traded? Which team would strengthen their squad up in the hope of lifting the trophy at the end of the playoffs? It’s questions like this that are asked around every trade deadline, whether it’s the NHL, MLB or the NBA. There were some moves that came as a surprise, and some that didn’t cause such a big uproar.

Derek Fisher to Houston: This was the biggest move that took place on deadline day. The longtime L.A. Lakers point guard was dealt to the Houston Rockets for a first-round pick in 2012 and reserve centre Jordan Hill. Fisher was a virtuoso at leading former Head Coach Phil Jackson’s triangle offense before the Hall of Fame coach retired. Fisher struggled to adjust to new coach Mike Brown’s system, as he lacked the explosion and quickness to effectively run Brown’s traditional offense. Interestingly, Fisher was subsequently bought out by Houston and is free to sign with any team.

Ramon Sessions to the L.A. Lakers: This was the other deal that the Lakers were involved with on deadline day. Point guard Sessions and small forward Christian Eyenga moved to California for two-time NBA champion Luke Walton, former three-point contest winner Jason Kapono and a first-round pick in 2012. Sessions should fit nicely into Brown’s plan. It should be noted that Kapono was put on waivers by Cleveland.

Monta Ellis to Milwaukee: This wasn’t a deadline day move, but it was one of the most talkedabout trades. The Golden State Warriors gambled by trading Ellis, their leading scorer, for injured Milwaukee Bucks centre Andrew Bogut. The Warriors have made the playoffs once since 1994 and haven’t had a true centre in years. The Warriors will be fearful of the fact that Ellis could become an all-star in Milwaukee. But it’s a gamble they took and if Bogut can stay healthy, it could be one that pays off. As part of this trade, Ekpe Udoh and Kwame Brown also went to Milwaukee while Stephen Jackson joined Bogut in Golden State (only to be traded to San Antonio on deadline day).

Leandro Barbosa to Indiana: You know that things are not going your way when you trade two players for a second-round draft pick. Such was the case for the Toronto Raptors. Barbosa and Anthony Carter join the high-flying Pacers who are looking to secure the playoff spot they currently sit in. To be honest, I’m surprised that one of the big teams did not swoop in for Andrea Bargnani, who has clearly been Toronto’s go-to man in an otherwise lacklustre season. The Raptors will have Indiana’s second- round pick in 2012.

Nenê to Washington: Brazilian centre Nenê was dealt by Denver to Washington, leaving many to question his contribution to the Denver franchise. This trade might haunt Denver in the short run, for Nenê is a playoff veteran but with JaVale McGee and Ronny Turiaf moving to Denver from Washington, it could ultimately pay off for the Nuggets.

Marcus Camby to Houston: The Portland Trailblazers, who are already without centre Greg Oden, traded their other centre Camby to the Rockets. Camby has expressed desires to end his NBA career in Houston. In return, Portland received point guard Jonny Flynn, centre Hasheem Thabeet and a future second-round draft pick. The Rockets are in a playoff position and are hoping to make a playoff run. For Portland, it looks to be a season of rebuilding after the team parted ways with head coach Nate McMillan as well.

Gerald Wallace to New Jersey: When I said rebuild mode for Portland, I meant it. The Blazers sent Wallace to New Jersey in exchange for former Utah centre Mehmet Okur, forward Shawne Williams and a first-round pick in 2012. Okur is a centre who loves to shoot, so that could help Portland on offence, but for a team in a mini state of crisis, 2012 doesn’t look to be all that good a season for fans in Rip City.

There were three other trades in the NBA that I didn’t talk much about: Stephen Jackson to San Antonio, two days after the Golden State Warriors acquired him; Nick Young left Washington and will line up for the L.A. Clippers; and the Memphis Grizzlies sent Sam Young to Philadelphia and acquired Ricky Sanchez in return. The stage has now been set for the 2011/12 NBA season to burst into life, and the season should live up to all the hype it has been promising.

Originally Written for the Interrobang:http://www.fsu.ca/interrobang_article.asp?storyID=8330&sectionID=4&issueID=201
Image Credit:https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTyXPOUwRkn7y_wThRsweX_QbQx37g-jtDoH-GAYxE9fBmcZl47T6GLnLZ_Nj4SeN4CoHmlVp0mlbrIOTxiZ-OLgmgOVacQjexZ-0ZG5M7804jLPp77W15tsAQ5Z_BGtI6-I-wmGqoLro/s1600/derek.jpg
Video Credit:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3TdZHffwOF8

An open letter to the St. Patrick's Day 2012 rioters on Fleming Drive

A CTV News vehicle being damaged by angry rioters, Fleming Drive, London. March 17, 2012

There was probably a time when St. Patrick's Day was a joyous occasion. There were also times when people learnt to respect someone else's privacy. It pains me to think whether I made the right decision to come all the way from India, just to go to Fanshawe and witness such a debacle on St. Patrick's Day! Where has civilization gone?

It's strange, I never hear stuff like this coming out of Platt’s Lane or other 'Western' neighbourhoods here in London but Fleming Drive never seems to disappoint me. And yes, I'm being sarcastic here. Riots, burning couches, overturned news vans? Come on people, there has got to be a limit. I hope the people responsible realize that innocent Londoners will be paying for all the damage they caused on their idea of a joyous occasion. 

I'm not going to be a hypocrite here, I love my beer. Then again, I believe in moderation. You know your limit; you know how much you can handle before you go overboard. It is 1:15 am now as I write this and I can still here sirens blaring, and I live five minutes from Fleming Drive and Fanshawe College. Students have got to remember that for most of them, it's not their town; they are merely living here for a couple of years. There are people who will live their entire life in London, and negative press coverage isn't something that anyone would want their hometown to be associated with. I know I wouldn’t want my hometown to ever face negative press.

Remember when Mayor Fontana released 'London is a city of Opportunity'? You do? But is this the ‘opportunity’ you want? To bring disregard to the Forest City? To show people how many cars you can destroy? How many kegs of beer you can chug? I hardly think so. If I was Irish or had Irish roots, I would probably be so mad right now! How dare you ruin a day that brings about the Irishman inside everyone? Sure everyone has the right to gather freely and say whatever they want, whenever they want. That is basic freedom. But freedom to wantonly destroy property? Blasphemy I tell you, blasphemy.

Being a student of journalism, a part of me wanted to step out with my equipment and cover the event, nay cover the debacle I should say. The other part of me feared for my own safety. I know this is nothing compared to being a journalist in the middle east where your life can be in danger every minute of  every day, but to risk my life at the hands of thousands of rioting teenagers and young adults? That would be something quite pointless, in my opinion.

So now when people ask what Fanshawe is famous for what do we tell them? Riots? Parties? Angry Teenagers? Or do we tell them that Fanshawe is a haven if learning? A place of wit and wisdom? A place of dignity and consideration? I always knew that I would face a culture shock when I moved across the world. India and Canada is completely different when it comes to customs and behaviours, but not once have I heard of a drunken college riot during eighteen years in India. I've already heard about two in London itself, and you got to remember that London is nothing compared to a vast majority of Indian cities when it comes to student populations.

So in conclusion, if you're one of the rioters who thought it was 'cool' and 'trendy' to fill yourself up with alcohol and then go berserk, you should probably look at yourself and feel sorry. Step forward and admit your wrongdoing, if you didn’t face the consequences for what you did that night. Do not let innocent people who had no part to play face trouble for what you did. Do your bit, to make this city a better place to live in. Do your bit for the community. Do your bit for the college; but more importantly, do your bit for yourself. 

Image Credit: https://yfrog.com/a/img644/193/43eofz.jpg (via twitter)

Video Credit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Vh7AwyfcHA 

Watch the London Free Press' Video here: http://www.lfpress.com/news/london/2012/03/18/19517661.html

The Ricky Rubio Effect

Ricky Rubio: Spain's next big thing

Every great person, in any field of life, almost always had someone who assisted him, without receiving much fanfare or recognition. The case of the Minnesota Timberwolves is something similar. Remember, this was a team that lost their franchise player Kevin Garnett in 2007, and have been struggling ever since. For those of you who don’t recall this trade, on July 31, 2007, the Timberwolves traded all-star Garnett to the Boston Celtics for Al Jefferson, Theo Ratliff, Gerald Green, Sebastian Telfair, Ryan Gomes, two first-round draft picks and cash considerations, the largest combination of players and picks ever traded for a single player in NBA history. Such was the situation of the team that they had to trade Garnett and hope to rebuild from there on.

Ricky Rubio is not an ordinary kid. He was highly rated ever since he made himself known to the basketball world. Rubio has been rated by basketball scouts as possibly the best-ever European prospect. At the age of 14, Rubio played in Spain’s ACB, one of Europe’s top pro leagues, for DKV Joventut Badalona near his Catalan hometown of El Masnou. A year later, he led Spain to FIBA’s Under 16 European title, picking up a quadruple-double on the way. A stat that is even more impressive from that tournament came in the final where Spain beat Russia in double-overtime. Rubio picked up 51 points, 24 rebounds, 12 assists, seven steals and one half-court buzzer-beater to force the first OT. At the age of 16, he led the Euroleague in steals.

So what made Rubio such a coveted prospect in the basketball world? Well, for starters, the accolades that he received before he was NBA draft eligible. This brings me to the 2009 NBA draft: Minnesota had four first-round draft picks and picked Rubio fifth overall in the hopes of pairing him with Kevin Love. It wasn’t smooth sailing as the T-Wolves had to negotiate a buyout with his parent team, DKV Joventut Badalona. In an ESPN article dated September 1, 2009, Rubio, despite stating his desire to play in the NBA, was not ready to move at the age of 18. Timberwolves President David Kahn was both disappointed and optimistic. “Of course there’s disappointment, but I don’t think that disappointment should overshadow the big picture, which is, he’s still so young. It appears now we will have a two-year wait. But if you frame it as he’ll be 20 years old and he’ll have two more years to develop, I can think of a lot worse things to happen to us as a franchise,” said Kahn. And so it was. Rubio signed a deal with FC Barcelona Bàsquet and was to remain in Spain for at least two years before a potential move to Minnesota to line up alongside Love, who in the meantime set the record for the longest double-double streak since the ABA/NBA merger in 1976. Love’s streak ended at 53 and for a team struggling throughout the season, it was a streak well received by coaches, fans and players around the league.

The year 2011 saw Rubio finally don an NBA jersey as he began his career in the U.S. He made his debut on December 26, 2011 in front of a sell-out crowd, which coincidentally was Minnesota’s first sell out crowd since the 2007/08 season. One could already see the fans’ belief in their team go up. It’s interesting to note how a 21-year-old Spaniard can do so much to lift the morale of an ailing franchise. Rubio was selected to participate in the 2012 Rising Stars Challenge as a member of Team Shaq and contributed 10 points and seven assists (most of them outrageous plays, adding to his already growing repertoire). The T-Wolves, meanwhile, are looking to make the playoffs for the first time since 2004.

It is always sad when players get injured, and Rubio was unfortunate to suffer a torn ACL in his left knee as he collided with Kobe Bryant. The injury has robbed the T-Wolves of their rookie point guard, who has helped turn the franchise into one of the most exciting in the NBA this year and has left Spain with a big hole in their backcourt as they look ahead to the London Games. Rubio will miss the rest of the NBA season, and it is an injury that stings both the team and the fans. The rookie, who’s become the symbol of his team’s resurgence falling helplessly on the court and waving for help, is not something anyone wanted to see right now, but as Love put it, “We cannot feel sorry for ourselves. We have to accept and move on.” The T-Wolves must put Rubio’s injury behind them as soon as possible if they are to focus on securing a playoff spot for themselves.

Whatever the outcome of this season for the Timberwolves, it will always go down as one where the team believed. Love and Rubio especially helped transform this struggling franchise’s fortunes into potential playoff contenders. I can’t wait for the next season already, for if this season is anything to go by, then the next one could only get better. And for Rubio, there’s a long road ahead, but one which should bring him numerous accolades. 

Originally Written for the Interrobang:http://www.fsu.ca/interrobang_article.asp?storyID=8302&sectionID=4&issueID=200
Image Credit: http://www.kare11.com/images/640/360/2/assetpool/images/111217103730_ricky_rubio_640.jpg
Video Credit:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uM3ruckll_U