Valley of the Suns
Fansided

A look back at the year of terrible Phoenix Suns PG play

By Adam Maynes

PHOENIX, AZ - OCTOBER 13: Eric Bledsoe #2 of the Phoenix Suns handles the ball against Travis Trice #0 of the Brisbane Bullets during the first half of the NBA preseason game at Talking Stick Resort Arena on October 13, 2017 in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ - OCTOBER 13: Eric Bledsoe #2 of the Phoenix Suns handles the ball against Travis Trice #0 of the Brisbane Bullets during the first half of the NBA preseason game at Talking Stick Resort Arena on October 13, 2017 in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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Tyler Ulis – 43 starts

With an incredible last few weeks of the 2016-17 season, Tyler Ulis gave hope to fans that he might be the next great Phoenix Suns PG. His self-less play, high assist numbers, and clutch 3 to defeat Boston at the buzzer gave fans hope that there was more than one bright spot on the roster beside Devin Booker.

But with a ho-hum training camp, a slow start to the season, a lot of that hope dissipated.

What has held Ulis back thus far in the early part of his career are shooting problems that  carried over in their entirety this season from his rookie year really hampering his overall offensive ability and preventing him from over-taking other point guards to wrestle away the starting duties after Bledsoe left in perpetuity.

For three weeks after Bledsoe was sent home from the team, Ulis languish on the bench while new Triano tried to find a starting solution elsewhere. It was not until November 11, that Ulis was given the starting spot, a position he actually held for 35 consecutive games after that, although with only moderate results.

Averging only 7.2 points and 4.3 assist in 25.0 minutes, Ulis shot an ice cold 38.4% from the field and 29.2% from beyond the arc – hardly shooting percentages that could sustain a starting spot.

After a particularly poor stretch, Ulis was finally benched once again, this time in favor of Devin Booker.

Never finding a groove off the bench then dealing with and a period of inactivity due to a lower back injury, Ulis would miss most of the month of February and into early March before further depletion of the backcourt forced Triano’s hand and brought Ulis back into the rotation. Slow to regain his footing, Ulis would finish the season back in the starting lineup and put up very respectable statistics.

Over his final seven games, Tyler Ulis averaged 15.8 points and 7.7 assists in 36.5 minutes. Possibly nothing more than volume stats, Ulis took the final few weeks of the season to play for next year, possibly even saving his job after it appeared for a while that he would absolutely become a roster casualty.

Starting Stats: 8.3 points, 2.2 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 1.9 turnovers, 38.9% FG%, 30.4% 3pt%, 81.8% FT%

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