Most of the credit for how the Phoenix Suns offensive finishes will go to Tyus Jones and Monte Morris if it finds an explosive gear in 2024–25, as everyone predicted a season earlier.
However, the new coaching staff under Mike Budenholzer leads offensive execution.
Whatever method is used to attribute any advancements from the Frank Vogel era, Phoenix is once again expected to contend as one of the NBA’s top offensive teams.
In theory, the Suns need to be that to offset the problems with roster design that can cause concerns with rebounding, defense of larger wings, and other fundamental aspects of the game.
Hence, the Suns’ identity must be as follows: they must improve upon their three-point shooting percentage, ball movement, and midrange spacing for players like Devin Booker, Kevin Durant, and Bradley Beal.
At his first press conference on Wednesday, Jones said, “If you kind of look how the league is trending, teams are playing smaller, teams are playing faster.” “Three-point shooting and scoring are at an all-time high. I think it will work because we fit well together.” I want to keep up those patterns.
“We want to play more quickly, keep scoring goals quickly, and be effective. Our goal is to become a proficient basketball squad.
Jones referred to the word “fit” eleven times in a ten-minute period on Wednesday.
Suns supporters don’t require a long explanation of how a genuine point guard can improve the offense. But quickly: He was deserving of an eight-figure contract after his performance with the Washington Wizards in a career-high 29 minutes per game last season, which included 12 points on 49% shooting, seven assists, and a turnover.
Rather, he chose to accept the veteran’s minimum salary and enter a Suns squad that was in need of a starting point guard because he “fit.” Phoenix’s chance was important, but so was the sense of family. Perhaps most significantly, Grayson Allen, a fellow Duke alum, recruited him. It should be noted that Allen did this despite the fact that he was well aware that Jones’ move to the Valley would result in his losing his starting position following a career year.
“I’m a rival. desire to triumph. Want to compete, want an opportunity to lead, and after speaking with Josh (Bartelstein), James (Jones), Mat (Ishbia), and Coach Bud, it’s difficult to turn down the role that was presented here, Tyus Jones remarked. “They performed an excellent job of finding me a position, but in the end, I felt that the role was a wonderful fit for me. You only need to glance at the roster—it speaks volumes.”
Similar to Morris, Jones has a track record as a player with little turnover. In terms of assist-to-turnover ratio, he has twice set an NBA record and has led the league for the past five years.
He may be one of the league’s most underappreciated pure playmakers, though. In terms of assist percentage (34.6%), which measures the percentage of teammates’ field goals that Jones assisted while on the court, Jones placed seventh among a plethora of talents on a losing Wizards squad the previous season.
Trae Young, Tyrese Haliburton, Luka Doncic, Nikola Jokic, LeBron James, and Cade Cunningham are the only players with a better assist %.
The players who behind Jones in assist % are Devin Booker, Chris Paul, Giannis Antetokounmpo, James Harden, Jalen Brunson, and Domantas Sabonis.
Even with hefty minutes, that number would undoubtedly decline in Phoenix.
Jones moving Booker and Beal to the wings, which may raise defensive difficulties. However, Jones’ profile will undoubtedly lessen the offensive strain on Durant and that duo, as Suns supporters demanded throughout the entire previous season.
After speaking with Coach Bud, Jones stated, “It seems like he sees me as the playmaker and orchestrator, trying to make things easier for Brad, Book, KD, and the other guys.” “In the end, I’m just doing what I do, which is leading and playing point guard. Once more, the fit was excellent and there.
As said before, Budenholzer’s position will be crucial in this following a 2023–24 campaign marked by an offensive line that looked garbage.
He seems poised to quicken the pace, widen the spacing with more three-point shooting, and, more importantly, improve his team’s offensive output over the previous campaign.
Regarding his ability to assist, Jones stated, “touching the paint for sprayouts, pushing the pace, kick-aheads, just moving the ball side-to-side.” “I believe that just getting the defense to function will be greatly aided by second-to-third side possessions.” Once more, we have a plenty of offensive weaponry and firepower, so we won’t be letting the defense off the hook. forcing them to work for the whole shotclock in order to eventually ramp up the pace and move the ball. I have to establish the tone first for that.
Leave a Reply