TYUS JONES professional point guard.

[doclinkin]

I'm surprised he doesn't have his own thread yet.

I honestly think the biggest threat to our tank could be Tyus Jones finally getting to lead a team.

This cat is a pros pro. Solid, no mistake unrattled tough minded with a big picture mindset and situational intelligence at both ends of the court.

We had nice offensive distribution with Monte Morris out there. Tough defense with Delon Wright. Jones plays more as the synthesis of the two that we wished we had. In addition he is more of a leader than Morris who tended to blend into the background and fit in smoothly next to our three 20 pt scorers, but not direct the action. Morris finds players when they are open and hits his own shots, Jones sets up his teammates to succeed.

It's a subtle distinction, but this team has suffered by lack of toughminded leadership in game play. Too many players have been freelancing and trying to get their own shot over the past couple years. Dinwiddie wasn't entirely wrong in calling out Kuz and Beal on this issue. Kispert alluded to it as well in his exit interview. Whatever the game plan was, it was run over by by players who were not operating within any sort of scheme but simply gunning for shots and contracts.

It's useful given that we have a heavy load of young players on the team. Players who might not see their own best role. A true point guard knows better than you what your potential is. He helps you discover your strengths by leading you into position to succeed. A player like Jordan Poole can be somewhat reckless but we have seen how that unpredictability is an asset. A weapon. Having a PG who can make the reads to vibe with him on that wavelength could return him to the playoff level that earned him that contract. If he has been somewhat immature, here we have an 8 year vet who has been determinedly patient in biding his time to earn his own squad. He carries a gravitas that looks like it will prove a good balance for Poole's competitive joy. Or perhaps a foil for it. To calm him down as needed. No need to shout, just by example play tough.

Players like Bilal and Kispert likewise will benefit. Gallinari if we keep him. All make smart cuts when the defense loses track of them. Kispert and Gallo add remarkable 3pt shooting. A PG who can draw defenses to him with drag dribbles and hesitation moves will open up players who can either cut backdoor or shoot from outside. I could see a tall shooter like PBR Or Gallo) discovering wide open looks when his match-up collapses to the paint to prevent penetration on ball or from players strafing in on cuts. PBR's value may be completely juvenated. (Hard to say rejuvenated on a player who hasn't yet shown success at the next level since he was injured in high school and reinjured in college). Outside gunners like Shamet need players to find them in time.

Another player who stands to benefit is Daniel Gafford, who got so many easy points off of the pressure that Westbrook put on defenses. The presence of Poole as a full throttle attacker will apply that pressure, even if Jones is the one with the ball.

I expect one or both of Monte or Delon will be traded. Personally I'd like to see the defenses we can work with Tyus and Delon on court together.

I'm not saying we will take over and run the table, or even post winning streaks of handfuls of games in a row. I'm saying against teams without a true star we can likely knock them on their heels and make them work by virtue of solid team play. And we win a few more games this season than we are 'supposed' to.

Anyway. We've been talking about recruiting him if we could for the past few years. After tracking his stats and game play it is nice to be able to see it on this squad, finally. At least for this season LOL. Anyway, welcome to DC Tyus, happy to have you.

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[DCZards]

doc, I’m also curious/excited to see how Jones plays in a true leading role. I like what we got from Morris last season--and I said so numerous times. He and Tyus are very similar in that both are solid game managers with great assist to turnover #s.

But Monte was never quite the on court leader or playmaker that I had hoped he would be. I expect Jones to be at least a little bit better in both areas…hopefully a lot better.

As you point out, a BIG part of Tyus’s role will be to help get the youngin’s organized and playing the right way and, when necessary, tamp down Poole’s reckless play. Jones and Poole have the potential to be a very good and complementary backcourt.

I think the Zards should be looking to move Morris...and start Jones with Wright as his backup.

[nate33]

Nice post, Doc. I agree with all of it.

My one big concern is that all three of our vet PGs are unrestricted free agents next summer. We should definitely trade one of them now, but I would really like to extend Tyus Jones so that he will buy into his role as the long term mentor and leader of this group of youngsters. I don't want him playing with one eye on the exit door.

[gambitx777]

Nice post, Doc. I agree with all of it.

My one big concern is that all three of our vet PGs are unrestricted free agents next summer. We should definitely trade one of them now, but I would really like to extend Tyus Jones so that he will buy into his role as the long term mentor and leader of this group of youngsters. I don't want him playing with one eye on the exit door.

I mean I like the idea of locking him in to something under 20 Mill too! He's really good and will really serve to help the young guys get better.

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[dobrojim]

Nice OP.

I note that for all of Ja's awesomeness, as a bb player anyway, MEM often played better with Tyus on the court.
IDK if maybe that's partly because MEM had a strong 2nd unit but their record overall was better when Ja was
unavailable and Tyus was The Guy.

[80sballboy]

https://www.statmuse.com/nba/ask/tyus-jones-stats-as-a-starter-this-season

[montestewart]

His career trend has shown steadily improved shooting and assist/TO%, and at 27, he hasn't necessarily peaked. Continued improvement on his part might make him a keeper through the rebuild. Don't know much about his defense at 6'0", but he gets steals and rebounds at a decent rate for a PG.

[payitforward]

Great analysis, doc.

I'm a big fan of Tyus Jones.

[Frichuela]

Agreed. Great pick up. A clear upgrade on Morris, particularly defensively. Despite being 6 feet, Tyus has had a positive DBPM every season of his career, with the exception of his rookie season. And averages 1.8 steals per 36 minutes…

[penbeast0]

Defending Monte Morris, he was every bit the offensive player Jones was last season and throughout their careers. Jones is more aggressive, Morris is more efficient and a better shooter and off ball player. The only real difference maker so far in their careers is defense where Jones's aggressiveness makes him a better defender than Morris despite his size but I don't know how valuable that difference is.

[payitforward]

Defending Monte Morris, he was every bit the offensive player Jones was last season and throughout their careers. Jones is more aggressive, Morris is more efficient and a better shooter and off ball player. The only real difference maker so far in their careers is defense where Jones's aggressiveness makes him a better defender than Morris despite his size but I don't know how valuable that difference is.

Actually, Morris was a significantly better offensive player than Jones this year -- & has been better his entire career as well. Jones did score @1.8 more points per 40 minutes, but it was at a significantly lower TS% -- it took him 2.6 more possessions to get those extra points. Plus, he turned the ball over more than Monte. OTOH, he got more assists.

Overall, you'd have to say that Jones had a bit better season, but overall the only significant difference between these two guys, especially this season, is that Jones gets more steals.

Still, not much question that on their careers Jones has been the better player -- just not all that much better.

It's not that Jones is overrated: he's not. But Morris is pretty clearly underrated (including on this board).

Of course, you can't compare players without considering what they are paid: Jones makes 40% more $$ than Morris.

On most teams, that last fact would make me keep Morris over Jones -- spend that extra money where it would return a bigger difference -- but the $$ is irrelevant to us right now.

OTOH, come to think of it, we can get more draft capital for Jones than we can for Morris. So, yeah, choosing between the two I'd trade Jones & keep Morris.

[DCZards]

Defending Monte Morris, he was every bit the offensive player Jones was last season and throughout their careers. Jones is more aggressive, Morris is more efficient and a better shooter and off ball player. The only real difference maker so far in their careers is defense where Jones's aggressiveness makes him a better defender than Morris despite his size but I don't know how valuable that difference is.

No need to defend Monte. I think many--if not most of us--were very happy with what the Zards got from him last season. You make a good (and important) point though when you say Morris is a better off ball player than Jones. Seems to me that Monte is probably a better in that role while Tyus is better with the ball in his hands. That's one of the reasons that I'm looking forward to Jones being the Zards floor leader next season.

[doclinkin]

Thinking about it. I still think this has been an underrated acquisition for the team. We landed Jordan Poole, we re-inked Kuzma, drafted Coulibaly. All significant in various ways, and worth getting press and thinking about. Along the way we landed Tyus Jones, to no fanfare, no press, no press conference. I fully expect it is a disappointment to Jones to go from the 2nd best record in the West to a rebuilding squad, but his value here is greater than coming off the bench in a stacked Memphis squad. It may not be in his plan, but seems to me he would be ideal to guide this team, and demonstrate how to play the right way.

Tyus Jones has led the league in AST:TO ratio 5 yrs in a row. The knock on Kuzma has been his shot selection. There are times when he gets hot and is tough to stop. His irrational confidence is an asset at times, even if his read of the situation or his skills may be off. If Jones is given the reins to drive this team, Kuzma may get the ball at the spots where he actually has a mismatch and shows a hot spot on the map.

Likewise Jordan Poole was one of the league leaders in highest turnover% per possession las year (as was Deni Avdija)
https://www.statmuse.com/nba/ask?q=highest+turnover%25+in+2022-2023 Poole can score, but let's say his judgment is not his greatest strength. If he cut out shot-jacking 3pt shots against multiple defenders, or driving into the heart of traffic, I can see his % rising, and those TOs dropping.

Off ball players like Corey Kispert are pass dependent players. Corey's ability to cut into the lane to get easy buckets is under recognized. Teams write him off as a 3pt specialist and lose track of him when the ball is not on his side of the floor. He needs a skilled passer to find him, either on timing on the back door, or coming off motion for an outside shot.

Likewise Daniel Gafford's entire game requires a soft lob or crisp entry pass. Tyus' floater game forces opponents to drift out to him, where that floater becomes a lob to the interior finisher.

A player like Bilal Coulibaly was noted as passive on the A squad in France in part because he was peripheral to the action, but his instinct and talent are surprising. If he had an in-game tactician to lead him through sets, his game likely takes leaps forward.

I fully expect Jones was upset to be traded here. Hence the lack of a presser etc on his acquisition. I figure he'd see it as a one-year audition for his next contract, elsewhere with a winning team. But you never know. If the team can give him the ball and he clicks with teammates/coaching staff he may realize he has a positive opportunity to shape the future of a rising franchise.

Well hopefully rising. Or perpetually hopefully rising.

[nate33]

Thinking about it. I still think this has been an underrated acquisition for the team. We landed Jordan Poole, we re-inked Kuzma, drafted Coulibaly. All significant in various ways, and worth getting press and thinking about. Along the way we landed Tyus Jones, to no fanfare, no press, no press conference. I fully expect it is a disappointment to Jones to go from the 2nd best record in the West to a rebuilding squad, but his value here is greater than coming off the bench in a stacked Memphis squad. It may not be in his plan, but seems to me he would be ideal to guide this team, and demonstrate how to play the right way.

Tyus Jones has led the league in AST:TO ratio. The knock on Kuzma has been his shot selection. There are times when he gets hot and is tough to stop. His irrational confidence is an asset at times, even if his read of the situation or his skills may be off. If Jones is given the reins to drive this team, Kuzma may get the ball at the spots where he actually has a mismatch and shows a hot spot on the map.

Likewise Jordan Poole was one of the league leaders in highest turnover% per possession las year (as was Deni Avdija)
https://www.statmuse.com/nba/ask?q=highest+turnover%25+in+2022-2023 Poole can score, but let's say his judgment is not his greatest strength. If he cut out shot-jacking 3pt shots against multiple defenders, or driving into the heart of traffic, I can see his % rising, and those TOs dropping.

Off ball players like Corey Kispert are pass dependent players. Corey's ability to cut into the lane to get easy buckets is under recognized. Teams write him off as a 3pt specialist and lose track of him when the ball is not on his side of the floor. He needs a skilled passer to find him, either on timing on the back door, or coming off motion for an outside shot.

Likewise Daniel Gafford's entire game requires a soft lob or crisp entry pass. Tyus' floater game forces opponents to drift out to him, where that floater becomes a lob to the interior finisher.

A player like Bilal Coulibaly was noted as passive on the A squad in France in part because he was peripheral to the action, but his instinct and talent are surprising. If he had an in-game tactician to lead him through sets, his game likely takes leaps forward.

I fully expect Jones was upset to be traded here. Hence the lack of a presser etc on his acquisition. I figure he'd see it as a one-year audition for his next contract, elsewhere with a winning team. But you never know. If the team can give him the ball and he clicks with teammates/coaching staff he may realize he has a positive opportunity to shape the future of a rising franchise.

Well hopefully rising. Or perpetually hopefully rising.

Will Dawkins seems to really believe in management's vision of assembling a bunch of young guys, but relying upon a handful of youngish veterans with winning experience to lead the team. He is very convincing when you hear him interviewed. Hopefully, Dawkins can convince Tyus Jones of his value here. I note that Jones was sitting alongside Dawkins during some Summer League games.

It'll be interesting to see if they give Jones an extension.

[DCZards]

Dawkins does seem to value Jones beyond the points, assists or other numbers he might put up. That’s been apparent the 2-3 times I’ve heard him talk about Tyus who he refers to as a “connector on and off the court.”

[nate33]

Dawkins does seem to value Jones beyond the points, assists or other numbers he might put up. That’s been apparent the 2-3 times I’ve heard him talk about Tyus who he refers to as a “connector on and off the court.”

Another thing is pretty clear: Dawkins doesn't want anyone who doesn't want to be here. That's why he was quick to get rid of Porzingis while happy to resign Kuzma. Poole seems excited to be here too. The fact that Tyus Jones hasn't been shopped yet suggests Dawkins has spoken with him and he is buying into the vision.

[DCZards]

Will Dawkins is well aware that at its core DC is a basketball town, one that will respond to a winner. That's something he wants to sell players like Jones on...assuming the Zards want to resign Tyus.

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[doclinkin]

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[nate33]

Man, these videos are unwatchable. Nobody is playing any defense. Why not just run layup lines?

[doclinkin]

Article on Tyus' play style:

Jones played on a Grizzlies team last season that was fifth in pace (possessions per 48 minutes) and second in fastbreak points, so naturally he did a lot of his damage on the run. He was 15th in the NBA in percentage of points on the fastbreak (21.9) and posted an impressive 1.28 points per possession (PPP) in transition, which accounted for about 20% of his offense.

Last season the Wizards were 17th in pace and 26th in fastbreak points. It will be interesting to see if new personnel and guidance from a new front office changes that.

In another thread I was talking about getting easy buckets from defensive stops, to take advantage of the speed and defense of players like Bilal, Deni, Gafford, Kuzma. Here we have players who have less advanced shot creation skills, or inefficient offense against a set defense, but who are a mismatch in our favor in a foot race. Having Tyus run the break while they sprint ahead can help them finish without having to break down a waiting defense. Points lead to confidence and happy players. Defensive effort is rewarded by points at the other end.

This next bit underscored the concept for me:

In the reverse of what you often see from NBA players, Jones is a better shooter the more he dribbles. He shot a higher percentage last season on pull-up shots (44.4%) than he did on catch-and-shoot plays (37.6%). It's a consistent increase when you break it down by the dribble. Last year, Jones shot 37.8% on zero dribbles, 45.8% after one dribble, 51.6% after two dribbles and 49.1% on 3-to-6 dribbles.

He follows a similar track from 3-point range. Last season, he knocked down 37.4% of his threes on zero dribbles, 39.3% on one dribble, 44.4% on two dribbles and 41.7% on 3-to-6 dribbles. That could help a Wizards team that ranked 22nd in pull-up 3-point percentage last season.

Tyus in transition has an opportunity to take advantage of the gaps while the defense is chasing, to hit his own shot off the dribble, to find the open man, or to step into a trailing three if the defense collapses to the basket on the break. Likewise Poole plays well in an uptempo system and a strength of his game is to take advantage of chaos, even if he has to cause it himself. Both can score off the dribble so teams can't load up on one or the other, which means the frontrunning forwards and Bigs can stride ahead of defenders in transition unmarked.

We can use youth to the team's advantage by getting out to run run run whenever possible. A useful strategy for a rebuilding team, since we hope to load up on picks and young players. This works especially when you have a squad leader who can put you in the highlights with his heads up play. Direct the havok in our favor.