Monday’s 10-game slate includes the NBA’s only unbeatens facing tests as Miami hosts Atlanta and Oklahoma City travels to Dallas. Elsewhere, the New York Knicks return home to face Toronto and the Orlando Magic take their four-game winning streak to Detroit.
But the most intriguing game undoubtedly is at the Target Center, where the Minnesota Timberwolves host the San Antonio Spurs and perhaps giving Ricky Rubio his long-awaited duel vs. Tony Parker.
I will be the first to admit that I have questioned whether Rubio has what it takes to be a star in the NBA. I am not swooned easily; I found the Pete Maravich comparisons to border on sacreligious. I need more than heaping doses of flash at a level considerably below the best players in the world.
But thus far, Rubio is proving me wrong. Not only is he earning considerable burn (27.5 mpg) for a Wolves team that has been surprisingly competitive, he is displaying a presence and command worthy of starting NBA point guards.
Earlier today, Chris Sheridan discussed Rubio’s coming-out party vs. Dallas and mentioned Jason Williams, the last flashy rookie point guard to set the NBA on its ear. What he didn’t mention was Rick Adelman has now coached both guys.
There was no flash for Rubio last summer, when he was serving as Juan Carlos Navarro’s caddie in Eurobasket 2011. In the gold medal game, Spain beat France as Navarro had 27 points and five assists in 31 minutes, outdueling Parker, who had 26 points and five assists in 39 minutes.
Rubio? Seven shotless minutes, one assist.
So now Rubio gets his shot at Parker, whose NBA resume includes a Finals MVP award and a 55-point 
game in the Target Center just over three years ago. He is averaging 13.8 points and 6.5 assists in just 28.8 minutes, part of coach Gregg Popovich’s plan to combat the compressed schedule.
Richard Jefferson leads the team at just 29 minutes per game. Tim Duncan (22.3) is playing less than Tiago Splitter (24.8). Nine Spurs are averaging at least 18 mpg. And, of course, the Spurs are 3-1, sneering at those who have dismissed them as too old. They are the rested team tonight.