Donovan Mitchellwho was a companion of Ricky Rubior in the Cavaliers and the Jazz, and J.B. Bickerstaffcurrent coach of the Cleveland franchise, dedicated this Friday some very emotional and loving words to the Spanish point guardwho has been on mental health leave since the summer and who announced his retirement from the NBA on Thursday.
“Ricky was one of my favorite people to be with in the NBA,” Bickerstaff told the media before the Cavaliers’ game against the Washington Wizards tonight.
“I owe Ricky such a debt of gratitude that there are only a couple of people which I could say at this point have had an impact on me in that way. “He helped us, in a short period of time, and led this organization to what you see before you now,” he added.
The coach referred to the 2021-2022 season, Rubio’s first in Cleveland and in which his seniority and experience were fundamental for the Cavaliers to add 22 more victories than in the previous year.
“His presence allowed me to coach the team in a certain way where there was no one too great not to sacrifice. He was a starting point guard throughout his career. He was at the starting point guard level when he was with us. But he sacrificed himself to come off the bench and be part of this team,” he explained.
“Ricky is one of the most unique spirits I have ever been around. Spot. He is not a person who has to say a lot or who always has to be in the middle, but somehow and somehow he has that kind of attraction that people want to be around him and spend time with him: play for him and not only with him. It will always have a special place for me“, development.
For his part, Mitchell, the great figure of the Jazz and the Cavaliers and who shared a locker room in both teams with El Masnou, recalled that Rubio, since his first year as a rookie in Utah, sat with him to analyze plays and He tried to teach him everything he knew.
“There are so many different things on the track that it has taught me that I’m genuinely grateful and that I have carried with me throughout my career,” he said.
“But also as a person. I have been to his house in Spain, I know his family, I know everyone very well. He is as authentic a person as I have ever met anyone. I am genuinely grateful to him., I’ve told him like a thousand times. He’s done so much for me, for the Cavaliers, for the Jazz, for everywhere he’s been. I know Darius Garland feels the same way (…). “I’m happy for him,” she added.
After 12 seasons in the NBA, Rubio announced this Thursday that his career in the NBA “has come to an end.”
The statement of Ricky arrived shortly after ESPN will report on Thursday morning the agreement between the Cavaliers and the Catalan for the termination of his contract.
Rubio also addressed in his writing the mental health problems he has recently gone through.
“Last July 30th was one of the hardest nights of my life.. My mind went to a dark place. Somehow I knew I was going in that direction, but I never thought I didn’t have the situation under control. The next day I decided to stop my professional career,” Rubio detailed in his statement.
“One day, when the time is right, I would like to share my experience complete with all of you so that I can help support others going through similar situations. Until then, I would like to keep it private out of respect for my family and myself while I continue to work on my mental health. But I’m proud to say that I’m doing much better and getting better every day,” he added.
2024-01-06 11:23:28
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