Cavaliers guard Ricky Rubio is on the comeback trail, and the latest evidence of that came when he was assigned to their G League affiliate, the Cleveland Charge.
Rubio has been out since suffering a torn ACL last December, but has returned to practicing 5-on-5, coach J.B. Bickerstaff told reporters.
“He’s back,” Bickerstaff told reporters. “He’s going to start doing more and more. More five-on-five and those types of things. He’s been given the green light to do that.”
Rubio won’t be playing any games with the Charge, but this has become a new trend from NBA teams — allowing recovering players extra practice time with their G League affiliate.
“It’s something we won’t rush,” he cautioned. “He’s heading in the right direction. But it’s too important and he’s too important to rush it.”
Bickerstaff is right about Rubio being important. The Cavs were a different team with him on the court last season. The ball just moved better. Teammates got better looks at the basket. And All-Star point guard Darius Garland admittedly learned a lot just by watching Rubio.
After suffering the torn ACL, Rubio was part of the trade with the Pacers that delivered guard/forward Caris LeVert to the Cavs. Now, they are teammates. And there are those within the Cavs who think Rubio is just the man to get LeVert (and others) really going.
Of course, the Cavs (16-9) have been chugging right along pretty well as is, as they sit in second place in the Central Division with the third-best record in the Eastern Conference.
Still, Rubio is viewed as somewhat of a coach on the court, a player who brings a sense of order and calmness when things go awry.
Sources have told Hoops Wire that he may still be a month away from suiting up. But based on recent developments, it appears it could be sooner than that.
Looking for the latest NBA Insider News & Rumors?
Be sure to follow Hoops Wire on TWITTER and FACEBOOK for breaking NBA News and Rumors for all 30 teams!
Can’t wait to see Rubio back on the court for us. I wish LeVert would step-up in games like last night. We could have really used a big game from him.