Posted by Sabrina B. @gametimegirl

For two years, Minnesota Timberwolves fans have been tantalized by the myth of Ricky Rubio.

Rubio’s Spanish league games were rarely on television in the Twin Cities, so they watched grainy YouTube highlights – a behind-the-back pass here, a nifty dribble there – to get their fix. The air of mystery only seemed to increase the hype.

The 20-year-old point guard held his first press conference in Minnesota on Tuesday, looking to pull back the curtain and introduce himself to the fans who have so eagerly anticipated his arrival.

“I was so comfortable over there, but Minnesota makes me feel comfortable too,” Rubio said. “(The Timberwolves) supported me, they were happy about my things, my winnings, in Barcelona, and I was like, oh, they want me over there. I feel that love over there. I want to give back that love.”

The Timberwolves drafted Rubio in 2009 with the fifth overall pick, but a large buyout with his Spanish team at the time coupled with Rubio’s desire to stay home and work on his game kept him from immediately heading to the NBA.

It was a delicate negotiation at times, and president of basketball operations David Kahn, assistant GM Tony Ronzone, European scout Pete Philo and coach Kurt Rambis all chipped in to show Rubio and his family that coming to small-market Minnesota and playing for the struggling Timberwolves was the right move.

“Yeah, I feel like they really want me,” Rubio said. “It giving me confidence to play over here, play for them. It helped me a lot. I’m so glad those guys are working over here with the Timberwolves because they are really good (people) and I felt like I’m at home.”

Kahn said the Wolves staff tried to make it a point since drafting him to make Rubio comfortable with them, which would ease the transition to a new culture, new city and new game.

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