Ricky enjoying the present: "It's not a cliché, it's a lifestyle"

Ricky Rubio insists that his prime concern with the Cleveland Cavaliers is to enjoy his role within the team and not preoccupy himself with transfer rumoures or plans for the future. "Thinking about where I might be playing next year just wastes time from the present, which is when I want to enjoy doing what I am doing now," he told the media after the Cavaliers' 108-109 defeat to the Utah Jazz.

"It's not a cliché, it's a lifestyle. We always think about what might lie ahead in the future, but I am playing a team which looked to be outsiders to be in the playoffs and now we have a positive win-loss record," he explained.

Currently one of the teams of the moment in the NBA, the Cavaliers staged an heroric comeback against the Jazz but ended up losing by a whisker following four straight wins. Rubio played a crucial part in the Cavaliers' resurgent fourth quarter and made a vital contribution with 15 points (6 from 11 shots), 4 reboounds, 2 assists, one steal and one block in 31 minutos coming off the bench.

Cleveland (13-11) boast a squad brimming with young talent but have surprised at the start of the season by being a very hard-working, competitive team - one that is capable of winning on any court. A recent arrival at Cleveland, Rubio admitted that the Cavaliers are playing quality basketball "that is very attractive to watch".

Ricky Rubio ignoring transfer gossip

The 31-year-old Spanish added that there have been so many rumours about where he might end up that he doesn't want to waste any time even thinking about them. "Why not just enjoy this, the present and when the moment comes we can decide then?" he asked.

He says he is happy in his role as "sixth man but with responsibilites" with the Cavaliers and that he can act as a tutor for Darius Garland, who fired in 31 points and had a three-pointer which could have won the match on the buzzer had it entered. "Everyone in the team has a role to play and we have all accepted that. Mine is a bit different to what I have been used to during my career in the NBA, but I'm comfortable and very, very happy," he explained, adding that Garland is already at All-Star level.

He also spoke about Marc Gasol, who has just started a new chapter in his career in the LEB Oro league with Girona Basket, where he is also club president. "It's great to see him so happy (...) You want to see your friends happy and contented," Ricky said. He knows how much the project means to Gasol and the relationship he has with the city of Girona.