Collin Gillespie over Tyus Jones? Here’s why

The Phoenix Suns were said to make some “internal changes” after their final trade on February 6th. That day, they acquired Vasilije Micic and Cody Martin from the Charlotte Hornets for Jusuf Nurkic, and they were said to be done within a few hours before the deadline was over. This left a lot of fans frustrated and confused, for the right reasons included. There was so much drama and speculation over this team yet only minimal changes were made. This was not the most excellent outcome for a team that needed change, yet the Suns found a way.

The Suns have seen recent success with some of those internal changes that I mentioned earlier. Due to the abundance of injuries all year, the Suns have had to play everyone on their roster. In the last six games, the Suns have had to dig deep back into the bench and utilize the young guns on this roster. Ryan Dunn and Oso Ighodaro were the two that have drastically helped defensively. Alongside that, two-way player Collin Gillespie has also made a key impact.

Gillespie has started three straight games for the Suns and, in that new role, has leaped into some success. The Suns are 3-0 in those contests, with Gillespie getting his season-high 13 points in their last win vs. the number one seed in the East, the Cleveland Cavaliers. This has helped fans recognize what he can bring to this team and why this Suns team needs fit over talent.

I want to get two things across before we continue describing how Collin Gillespie has been a better fit than Tyus Jones in the starting lineup.

1. This is not me hating on Tyus at all; in fact, I thought signing him was the right move
2. THEY SHOULD NEVER TOUCH THE COURT AT THE SAME TIME

Unfortunately for us Suns fans, coach Budenholzer can forget that second rule, which puzzles me. They are the same type of player. why do we want two of those out on the court simultaneously?

Tyus Jones Impact

With Tyus Jones in the starting lineup, we saw a lot of stagnant play in the rotation. While having these three-guard lineups did not help, removing Bradley Beal was still an issue with Tyus and star Devin Booker. Book wants the ability to be a playmaker if he can, and running this offense will make him one of the top scorers. He can facilitate for this Suns team, which has clearly been shown this year with his stats.

Tyus, to thrive, needs the ball in his hands. His best two stints in the league were in Memphis the year Ja Morant was hurt, and he could step up to run the offense, and Washington last year. He could thrive controlling the pace on a team where he was one of the primary creators. With Devin Booker and Kevin Durant, he cannot do that, so what does it lead to? Tyus is sitting in the corner on offense and then being targeted on defense. He becomes a natural factor out there, where he usually gets hunted on one side of the ball.

Since he has been able to move to the bench, he has been able to run that second unit. Since Bradley Beal and Grayson Allen are also out with injuries, Tyus is the only guard currently playing minutes. This is another sign that the Suns have too many of the same player/archetype. Being the only guard, Tyus allows him to control the pace at which the secondary unit runs. He can set them up and be that game manager he is when he runs point. Not to mention, being the only guard in a three-wing lineup means some open three-pointers. Tyus will not shy away from those, and it has been helpful. In the Sun’s last five games, he is shooting 51% from three, which is definitely needed without the offense generated by Beal and Allen.

By being in this role, he now goes back to the one he very similarly played, where he found his best success. This could surely help the Suns, who still want Jones’s impact, but just in the best way they can get it.

Collin Gillespie Impact

So far for the Suns, Gillespie has had limited run but, in that time, has shined brighter than most. The two-way guard has brought much-needed energy and help to a starting lineup that was deprived of it all year. As I mentioned, he has added more than taken away since his arrival into this starting lineup. Gillespie made his name known when he erupted in the 4th quarter, totaling 10 points and hitting a clutch three to mount a comeback against the Los Angeles Clippers. Following that, though, he was once again forgotten in this rotation until the Suns ran into injuries to their guards. Neeing that offensive punch, Gillespie was thrust into the starting lineup and to much surprise, has been undefeated since being placed there.

The Small Difference that Leads to the Suns’ Success

Collin and Tyus are very similar. They are both undersized offensive guards who get targeted on the defensive side of the ball. That being said, there is one main difference that helps by adding Collin compared to Tyus. This would be so that Collin can actually succeed playing off-ball, unlike Tyus.

Note how I mentioned earlier that Tyus .sits in the corner when he does not have the ball. While Tyus and Booker fight over those playmaking duties as well, it costs to lose possessions; since Gillespie recognizes this and goes to off-ball, it helps with the Suns not turning the ball over either and losing out on possessions.

With Collin, that is not the case. Yes, they are both not the best on the defensive side, but Collin has an extra hunger fighting defensively (it could be because he is on a two-way), but it is seen. He has seen some nights to struggle on offense but has balanced it out by helping out in other ways. In the game versus the Bulls, Collin did not shoot well at all but finished with five rebounds and seven assists, finding his way to impact the game and help win. You saw in the game v. the Cavs that not only was he able to score, getting his season-high, but he also was able to help distribute the rock and get some rebounds too.

Looking at these impacts, it is clear that fit is a big issue for this Suns team. Ever since they lost key offensive players and had to play people with the hustle and care for the defensive side, they started to win and look better as a team. This team, once again, still needs to make moves, as Gillespie needs to be converted to a standard deal to play in the play-in and playoffs if the Suns make it. When asking who should be waived for that to happen, check out another recent article of mine to get that news.

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