Former NBA point guard Ricky Rubio offered a candid assessment of his time in the league, saying the NBA has become more about business and ego than basketball. In an interview with Marca, Rubio reflected on the challenges he faced during his 12 seasons in the United States.
Rubio, who retired from the NBA in January 2024 and later joined FC Barcelona, revealed how difficult it was to connect with teammates. “I didn’t make friends, just teammates,” he said. “It’s hard for me to open up and face conflict, and I’ve witnessed attitudes that didn’t sit right with me.”
The 34-year-old described locker room dynamics he found shallow. “In the locker room, you hear nonsense like: ‘What car do you drive?’ Are we really competing over that?” he questioned. “That won’t make me a better person.”
Rubio also spoke about his early years in Minnesota, during what he called the “YouTube era,” when he felt forced to build a character for the cameras. “I never fell in love with the culture or traditions,” he admitted. “They’ve turned the NBA into a show, into a business. They’ve left behind the love of basketball, and that’s also happening in Europe.”
The Spanish playmaker said his dream had always been to spend his career at Joventut Badalona, playing near home with friends. “Maybe I would’ve been a happier person,” Rubio reflected. He recalled how losses in Minnesota affected him so deeply that he once ignored his best friend at dinner after a bad game.
Rubio’s NBA career spanned 698 games, with averages of 10.8 points, 7.4 assists, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.8 steals per game. He remains the only player in history to post such career numbers without being selected for an All-Star Game.
After leaving the NBA, Rubio signed with FC Barcelona in February 2024 and returned to the court in March. He is currently a free agent after Barcelona opted not to extend his contract following the season.
