Ricky Rubio takes up two of the top five spots in Minnesota Timberwolves’ history for single-season assists per game.
The Timberwolves have had some impressive passers in the history of the franchise, although with different styles and influences. The likes of Ricky Rubio, Stephon Marbury and Pooh Richardson are names that stand out when analyzing some of the floor generals who have led Minnesota’s offense through the franchise’s tenure.
Here are the best five seasons in the Timberwolves’ history in the category of assists per game.
Ricky Rubio – 2017, 9.1 APG
When it comes to creativity and flair, Rubio is one of the most gifted passers the NBA has seen in the last 15 years. He had one of the best seasons of his career in the 2016-17 campaign, when he averaged 9.1 dimes per contest and finished fifth in The Association in that category. The only players who averaged more assists per game than Rubio that season were James Harden (league-leading 11.2), John Wall (10.7), Russell Westbrook (10.4) and Chris Paul (9.2).
Pooh Richardson – 1991, 9.0 APG
Richardson was one of two players to average at least 9.0 assists per game in a single season while donning the Timberwolves uniform. His numbers during the 1990-91 campaign allowed him to finish seventh in the league in that category despite Minnesota’s 29-53 record. The list of players who finished ahead of Richardson in that campaign featured elite talent, though: John Stockton (league-leading 14.2), Magic Johnson (12.5), Michael Adams (10.5), Kevin Johnson (10.1), Tim Hardaway (9.7) and Isiah Thomas (9.3).
Terrell Brandon – 2000, 8.9 APG
Brandon led the Timberwolves in assists during the 1999-2000 season with 8.9 dimes per contest. It was the third-best tally in assists per game in franchise history while also ending as Brandon’s season-best mark in that particular category. Despite being an accomplished passer, though, those 8.9 dimes per game allowed Brandon to finish fifth in the league. Jason Kidd led the way with 10.1 assists per game while playing for the Suns, while Nick Van Exel (9.0, Nuggets), Sam Cassell (9.0, Bucks) and Gary Payton (8.9, SuperSonics) also ended up ahead of Brandon league-wide.
Micheal Williams – 1993, 8.7 APG
Williams was one of the few bright spots for a Timberwolves team that finished with a 19-63 record in the 1992-93 campaign. He finished sixth in the league in assists per game in a season where John Stockton paced the league once again, this time with 12.0 dimes per contest. Tim Hardaway (10.6), Scott Skiles (9.4), Mark Jackson (8.8) and Muggsy Bogues (8.8) also finished ahead of Williams.
Ricky Rubio – 2016, 8.7 APG
Rubio averaged at least 8.0 assists per game four different times while playing for the Timberwolves. His 8.7 dimes per game of the 2015-16 campaign would set what he did in 2016-17, which remains a franchise-best output in this category. During the 2015-16 campaign, Rubio was the best player for a Minnesota team that posted a 29-53 record. He finished fifth in the league in the assists-per-game department. The players who ranked ahead of him were Rajon Rondo (11.7), Russell Westbrook (10.4), John Wall (10.2) and Chris Paul (10.0).
