Goodbye Kelly and goodbye Ricky. With love

Kelly Oubre Jr. and Ricky Rubio will leave the Valley after the trade between the Phoenix Suns and Oklahoma City Thunder was confirmed Monday morning. Taking a step back from the excitement of adding Chris Paul, I would like to show my appreciation for both Kelly and Ricky.

When I really realized that the Suns would lose two men who helped change the franchise, I tried to remember that this is a business and that it will be for the better. Both Ricky and Kelly returned the flavor of attention to Phoenix and made basketball fun again for Suns fans.

When Ricky signed with the Suns, he was ecstatic and thought they had the point guard of the future. By signing a $ 51 million, 3-year contract during the summer of 2019, I applauded the Suns and accepted that it was the contract he deserved. Also, the first message we get from the man will never be forgotten, Sans fan!

This was a franchise that was destined to move up the Western Conference ladder and develop the great young and talented core they possessed. Ricky was a leader, a court general and a dealer the Suns haven’t had since Goran Dragic. To think that the Suns finally had a point guard, tied for third in the league in assists with 8.8 per game while showing great character and positivity on and off the court.

During the season, as most Suns teams do, the team began a losing streak and struggled to get out of the funk. Deandre Ayton was coming back from suspension and nothing was clicking on the court. Ricky always managed to give us hope.

Not only did he bring Phoenix basketball to life, at age 29, he also became a father. The reason I give him the nickname “Dad” Ricky is because of the birth of his son earlier in the year. Having the life of no sleep and back-to-back games he could only imagine would put pressure on Ricky to keep things together and still produce. And he did.

Ricky was a fan favorite and if he were here for another year or two I wonder what the Suns would look like and if they were really consistent with keeping a team together, Ricky and Devin Booker would continue to be a stellar secret track. . But this is the NBA and Ricky will always be remembered and encouraged throughout his career, wherever his beautiful brand of basketball plays.

The balls in this guy! Kelly Oubre Jr. has more highlights like Sun than most NBA players wish they had in their careers. He became a monster with his left hand and a guy to go to in the clutch. From Valley Boy’s pop-up to his live Twitch account, Kelly stayed real with Phoenix fans and just wanted to be in Phoenix.

Another heartbreak that I’m not used to feeling when a player is traded outside of Phoenix. A very passionate player who shared most of that wealth with Suns fans.

The head nods and push-ups caused the crowd in Phoenix to put down the phones and get involved in what was happening in front of them.

Kelly caught up with the Suns and the Suns too. Confidence to take the last shot or capsize another grown man was never a second thought. Whatever she had to do to help her team, Kelly made sure to give it her all and more.

But the poor guy went off on Twitter during the 2019-2020 season trade deadline. It seemed like it was never enough to please everyone. Fortunately, the Suns were able to retain Kelly, and even when he was injured and lost the action in the bubble, he made sure to cheer on his teammates for an 8-0 finish. Never a negative word and only positive peeps.

The highlights, like I said before, were never ending and were amazing to watch. I can’t remember more times that I almost blew both my knees trying to jump off my couch watching him make a play.

When Ricky and Oubre are the opponents next season, these memories will bring some joy to the competition. A standing ovation for both players who found the balance between the love of Suns fans and their dedication to winning here in Phoenix.

If it was a handwritten letter, there would be ink stains from the tears and maybe a little lipstick kiss at the end sealing the XOXO.