Summer Suns offseason homework Part One
By Alex Vairo
Tyler Ulis
Since Tyler Ulis took the home floor last season on October 26th against the Sacramento Kings, he has become a fan favorite. His knack for making the right play along with his tenacious perimeter and full court defense makes him easy for the common fan to root for. Couple that with his ability to hit clutch shots, and he is well on his way to making the “Phoenix Suns Fan Favorite Ring of Honor.”
The main concern with Tyler Ulis has to do with his size. Ulis’ height is on the shorter end of the spectrum at 5’10” but the issue is his lack of mass. Here is a rundown of players who each have similar heights to Ulis and their measurements pre-NBA draft. Note: heights w/shoes:
- Nate Robinson 5’9″ 181 lbs (2004)
- J.J. Barea 5’10 ¾” 176 lbs (2006)
- Isaiah Thomas 5’10 ¼” 186 lbs (2011)
- Kay Felder 5’9 ½” 177 lbs (2016)
At the 2016 NBA Combine Ulis was measured at 5’10” 149 lbs. He looked like he didn’t add much weight to his frame despite playing an entire season. Being an effective NBA player under six feet is challenging enough, but having to guard guys who weigh 60 pounds more than you (eh John Wall) is only going to wear Ulis down which may cause further injuries down the line.
As Ulis continues to recover from ankle surgery, here’s to hoping that he has hit the weights this offseason. A stronger Ulis will allow for him to attack the basket and better absorb contact in the paint.
Since Ulis is coming off surgery, he will also need to work on his conditioning to get into basketball shape. He has not played organized basketball since April and will be needed as the first guard off the bench. With Brandon Knight out for the year with a tore ACL, the Suns will be depending heavily on Ulis to man the second unit off the bench. Look for Ulis to work his way into basketball shape throughout training camp and preseason as he heads into his second season.