Collin Gillespie needs to be a staple in the Phoenix Suns rotation

The Suns may have found the spark they desperately needed.

This is why developing players in your G League system is so important. If the Valley Suns weren’t part of the plan for Gillespie, he might not have gotten this opportunity here in Phoenix.

Instead, he remained patient, learned the Phoenix Suns’ system, and put up big numbers in a league he looked too good for.

They had enough trust in the second-year 25-year-old out of Villanova to reward him with closing this game out. Coach Bud could’ve easily cut him out after a few minutes, but instead, he (rightfully) chose to ride the momentum.

The Stat Line

15 minutes, 10 points, 3 assists, 0 turnovers, 2 rebounds, 4-6 FG, 2-3 3PFG. He was a team-high +21 on the night in a game the Suns won by two.

Photo by Kelsey Grant/Getty Images

Does anyone remember Goran Dragic’s classic 23-point 4th quarter in the playoffs against the Spurs? This had shades of that on a much smaller scale. I want to emphasize the “smaller scale” point, considering it was a playoff game, and he scored 13 more points in the quarter. Still, there were shades of it because of how unexpected it came.

I’ve been high on the Gillespie addition since the day they signed him. Loved him out of college and thought he could figure it out and become a reliable backup PG for years to come.

This was back in September. With Jones disappointing and Morris out of the rotation, the minutes are ripe for the taking.

Last night’s 23-point comeback win could instill some momentum that propels the Suns into a play-in tournament run. Or it could be a flash in the pan. Either way, it should be clear that Collin Gillespie should be a fixture in the Suns’ rotation moving forward.

“The Collin Gillespie Game”

The Suns do not make that comeback without Collin Gillespie. He provided energy, took care of the ball, and knocked down big shots. That sounds like a Villanova Wildcat to me.

This shot was a memorable one. The confidence, the follow-through, the swagger. Money.

With Bradley Beal once again potentially sidelined due to an injury, there will be plenty of opportunity for Collin to get another shot. Sure, they are guard-heavy, but outside of Booker and Allen, no one is exactly setting the world on fire right now.

Tyus Jones only logged 19 minutes despite Bradley Beal exiting early with a calf injury.

Call me crazy, but I would start him. Or, at the very least, give him 25 minutes a night and see what happens. What do you have to lose? Bol Bol, Ryan Dunn, and Collin Gillespie need to play. Let them play through the growing pains and gain some confidence.

Kevin Durant on Collin Gillespie: “I always love how Collin is poised, and he’s a dog. He cares. He was one of the loudest in the locker room after last game, and he ain’t even contribute a minute to that disaster. And he came out and was pissed off after the game last game.”

The Suns will have a few days to bask in the good vibes before taking on Gillespie’s former team, the Denver Nuggets, on Friday in Colorado.

It’s Gill-sanity in the Valley. Embrace it.

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