Tyus Jones has been as advertised for the Phoenix Suns

The new starting point guard for the Phoenix Suns has made quite the impression.

The Phoenix Suns went all last season insisting they did not need a point guard. They showed flashes of that being true but didn’t leave much margin for error. Whichever side of that debate you fell on that, I think we can all agree adding the two they did was a sight for sore eyes.

That line of thinking (not wanting a PG) changes quickly when you have a chance to steal a point guard like Tyus Jones away for well below his market value. Adding Mike Budenholzer was the start of the foundational shift and then landing Jones when they did solidified their direction. We’ve already been spoiled with some awesome preseason flashes.

Rookies Ryan Dunn and Oso Ighodaro have looked impressive early on, and they’re getting the buzz they deserve. This piece will focus on the guy pulling the strings to the offense, Tyus Jones.

OPTIMIZE

op·ti·mize

verb – “make the best or most effective use of (a situation, opportunity, or resource).”

As Josh Bartelstein said, “We want players who optimize our big three and make our team better. Not just those guys, but Allen, Nurkic, and the rest of the squad, too.” Tyus Jones is certainly going to do that not only for the big three but for whichever group of players you surround him with. It’s in his DNA.

Tyus Jones has 13 assists to 1 turnover while shooting 66% from the field in his first 2 Suns preseason games. No, it’s not an overreaction to preseason. This is who he is and always has been.

The quick decision-making was expected, but the immediate impact its had on the rest of the offense is a trickle-down effect of ball movement that becomes contagious.

The Suns have been clicking on (most) cylinders this preseason, which is about all you can ask for including the expected rust early on.

In a game where Grayson Allen and Jusuf Nurkic were sidelined, the team still looked dangerous offensively. That was something I’d say was nearly impossible to accomplish last season in similar circumstances.

Passes like this are normal for Jones, but they still pop for a team that was lacking this type of premeditated facilitation off of screens.

That’s the difference between scorers who can pass and floor generals.

We all know he can pass, but an underrated aspect of his game is how capable of a shooter he is from deep. This transition three was a perfect example of that.

His stat lines so far:

• Game 1 (vs. LAL): 19 MIN — 9 PTS, 6 AST, 2 REB, 1 STL, 1 TO, 3-4 FG (3-3 3PFG)
• Game 2 (vs. DET): 20 MIN — 7 PTS, 7 AST, 2 STL, 0 TO, 3-5 FG (1-3 3PFG)

Just look at this beautiful ball movement. This is the Phoenix Suns offense we deserve.

Between him and Monte Morris leading the offense at all times, this team will be organized and have purposeful possessions. After the 4th quarter collapses last season, we should be ecstatic to have them running the show.