Photo by Kent Smith/NBAE via Getty ImagesIn the whirlwind of Monday’s trade for Chris Paul — which now seems like weeks ago, doesn’t it? — we lost a pair of the most enjoyable, engaging players this franchise has seen in years.
Ricky Rubio, fondly nicknamed Papa Ricky by the Jam Session boys after Ricky’s baby was born mid-season, brought the calm demeanor of a quiet but impactful leader who just spent every waking minute trying to do his best for everyone else on the court and the team as a whole, never making it about himself. The Suns led the league in assists and most advanced-stat passing categories in part from the offense installed by Monty Williams’ staff and in part because of Ricky…
