Phoenix Suns: 4 players you’ll talk about more in 2017-18
By Drew Zlogar
Tyler Ulis
The first player that you will hear more consistently is Tyler Ulis. The short, scrappy point guard is entering his second year as a pro, and is in line for a larger role with the Suns. Phoenix stayed with the trend of bringing in Kentucky players (Booker, Bledsoe, Brandon Knight, now Ulis), and Ulis showed flashes of being a productive bench player for coach Earl Watson.
Everyone remembers Ulis’ steal-catch-and-shoot game-winner against the Boston Celtics last season, but that was his talking point of his season. This year, with Brandon Knight sidelined by a torn ACL, the Suns will look to Ulis to be the consistent backup PG.
Do not let the size of Tyler Ulis (5’9″, 150 pounds) fool you. He has the tenacity and determined will to be a valued contributor with whatever team he is on. Kind of like how Isaiah Thomas has gone through his career proving doubters about his size wrong, Tyler Ulis will figure out a way to stay in the league, and the Suns will look to him to increase his role with the offense this year.
Ulis and Booker are best friends dating back to being teammates at Kentucky, and it shows on the court when they are together. Looking back on last year’s NBA Summer League when Booker played alongside Ulis, the chemistry was there from the very first game. Now in a more prominent role within the offense, I see Ulis being able to run the offense of the second unit seamlessly. Look for Ulis to have a bigger second year as a pro.