Ricky Rubio played for the Utah Jazz for only two years, but those were two very memorable years. Rubio may not have been one of their best players, but he played an undeniable role in the Jazz's perseverance through the Gordon Hayward fallout. A little over a year after Rubio retired from the NBA, he went out of his way to thank the Jazz for his experience there.
The Salt Lake Tribune's Andy Larsen shared the ad that Rubio took out of The Salt Lake Tribune to thank both the Jazz and Utah for his memorable experience. While sharing his experiences, he first singled out former Jazz coach Quin Snyder.
"What an experience you gave me. How many experiences we lived together! Meeting one of the few coaches who truly understood me on a personal level, who made me a better person and brought out the best basketball I can remember playing," Rubio wrote.
Rubio then shouted out the experience of playing in Utah, including his first taste of the NBA playoffs.
"Living the thrill of the NBA Playoffs. Reuniting with former teammates and building great relationships with new ones. Enjoying the snowy mountains. Creating a chosen family, my team. And bringing along the one who would become my family, my wife."
From there on out, he shouted out the experiences he had in Utah culture along with the Jazz personnel who gave him some valuable tutelage.
"Spanish-style Super Bowl parties, road trips in an RV, national parks, concerts, Las Vegas... Unforgettable experiences with assistant coaches who took me under their wing and taught me everything they knew, about basketball and about life.
"Weekend escapes to Park City. Endless açaí bowls. How many experiences we live together, Utah. Thank you, Utah."
Rubio is remembered quite fondly in Utah
Rubio may not have been a star, but he was a crucial player on those Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert teams. Not only was Rubio an excellent playmaker, but his defense was quite good and even showed an improved three-point shot (in the first year at least).
The Jazz didn't go too far with Rubio in the two years he played with the team, but in a season where many thought a rebuild was inevitable, Rubio played a part in two of the most fun Jazz seasons in the last decade.
It is true that he didn't stay with the Jazz past 2019, but that didn't have much to do with issues with him as much as it was about getting an upgrade in Mike Conley. He might not have been among the best Jazz acquisitions ever, but he's definitely one trade that the Jazz would absolutely do again if they had the chance.