5 reasons the Phoenix Suns’ 2018 and 2019 opening nights are totally different
By Adam Maynes
Kelly Oubre vs Trevor Ariza
On opening night 2018, starting small forward Trevor Ariza looked like he was the greatest one-year signing the franchise had ever made.
Finishing with 21 points, his energy seemed real and authentic. He really seemed like he wanted to be here and that his $15 million contract wasn’t just a payday, but a worthy investment in a veteran player who was going to help guide a very young roster.
He then never scored 20 points again (his high with Phoenix after than night was 16), and immediately following opening night were rumblings that he not only did not want to be here, but that he was going to request a trade the second it was possible in mid-December.
Against the Sacramento Kings Kelly Oubre too scored 21 points.
He too was a catalyst in the victory and his energy seems real and authentic.
Actually, let me re-phrase that: his energy is real and authentic.
Trevor Ariza had one really good game and then disappeared. He immediately became a cancer in the locker room, and his one game heroics on opening night proved to be a mirage.
Kelly Oubre wants to be here. His two-year extension and constant statements of that fact prove it.
Kelly Oubre will continue to score 21 points in games and his energy will continue to be both intense and infectious.
If he could just his his 3’s he’d be almost unstoppable, but there is still so much to what he can and will provide that his presence on this roster far overshadows the half-hearted presence that was that of Trevor Ariza – who by the way, is now on the Sacramento Kings.
Oh, the irony. The beautiful, wonderful, irony.