Can Tyler Ulis become a starter in the NBA?

Post #1 » by **Qwigglez** » Sat Mar 18, 2017 3:47 pm

Hey guys, I know it's only been two games that Ulis has been starting for us, but he seems to not be phased by the pressure of starting. He looks really smooth, gives an effort on both ends of the court and knows his own limitations. I've been enjoying watching the games since the all-star break with Ulis in. I like the connection he has with Alan Williams and even Jones Jr lately too.

Can he become a full-time starter on a playoff team though? If we end up with the No 3 pick and take Josh Jackson, would you guys be comfortable trading Bledsoe and have Ulis start?

Here are his numbers for March:

His highlights from his last two starts, and the game winner against the Celtics.

Watch on YouTube

SC923 · Post #2 » by **SC923** » Sat Mar 18, 2017 4:00 pm

Until he puts on more weight and strength (which may be tough based on his frame), I think hes going to be a defensive liability against bigger and stronger guards

SC923 · Post #3 » by **SC923** » Sat Mar 18, 2017 4:01 pm

I definitely see a 6th man type of player who can thrive against second units

NTB · Post #4 » by **NTB** » Sat Mar 18, 2017 4:06 pm

SC923 wrote:Until he puts on more weight and strength (which may be tough based on his frame), I think hes going to be a defensive liability against bigger and stronger guards

Wasn't Nash also a defensive liability though?

Saberestar · Post #5 » by **Saberestar** » Sat Mar 18, 2017 4:08 pm

I have been a fan since last year at Kentucky. I wanted to pick him at #13 in the draft because he looked to me an special player for his basketball IQ, passing, agressive defense and amazing handles.

It is a joy to watch. If you love pure basketball you love Tyler Ulis...an underdog with exquisite talent, heart and skillset.

I seriously think that he can be a great starter in the league. Probably even an All Star.

Post #6 » by **bwgood77** » Sat Mar 18, 2017 5:14 pm

Too early to judge. I wouldn't bank on it. I certainly wouldn't rule it out either. Of course his starts came against poor competition so I'd like to see him go against Paul and Westbrook and others.

But, being that they are his two VERY first starts, and so many struggle for a long time (Mudiay, for example), signs are good. If we don't draft a PG though, I wouldn't trade Bledsoe. We would have no depth, unless you are thinking it's Knight, but I don't think so.

Even if we draft a PG and DID trade Bledsoe, I'd still start Ulis next year until the other guy won the starting job, if he ever did. But we could always run a 3 guard rotation too.

I still, for now, think of him as a solid backup. I'd rather have a very solid backup than a below average starter.

sunsbg · Post #7 » by **sunsbg** » Sat Mar 18, 2017 7:35 pm

Why not ? Ulis is already a better playmaker than Bledsoe, better defender than Nash. Obviously he loves the game, so he will continue to improve.

Blackification · Post #8 » by **Blackification** » Sat Mar 18, 2017 7:52 pm

Saberestar wrote:I have been a fan since last year at Kentucky. I wanted to pick him at #13 in the draft because he looked to me an special player for his basketball IQ, passing, agressive defense and amazing handles.

It is a joy to watch. If you love pure basketball you love Tyler Ulis...an underdog with exquisite talent, heart and skillset.

I seriously think that he can be a great starter in the league. Probably even an All Star.

He is definitely a true way player which is great to see, and a true floor general with a very high bbiq. It seems so natural when he is out there making those passes. Definitely a rare quality and he is showing it as a rookie. Throw in his chemistry with Book? Yes I can see him starting.

Its also his work ethic, if he improves his shot he can be IT with defense, and a pass first mentality. Thats like a short CP3, i'll take that starting PG anyday.

Blackification · Post #9 » by **Blackification** » Sat Mar 18, 2017 7:56 pm

bwgood77 wrote:Too early to judge. I wouldn't bank on it. I certainly wouldn't rule it out either. Of course his starts came against poor competition so I'd like to see him go against Paul and Westbrook and others.

But, being that they are his two VERY first starts, and so many struggle for a long time (Mudiay, for example), signs are good. If we don't draft a PG though, I wouldn't trade Bledsoe. We would have no depth, unless you are thinking it's Knight, but I don't think so.

Even if we draft a PG and DID trade Bledsoe, I'd still start Ulis next year until the other guy won the starting job, if he ever did. But we could always run a 3 guard rotation too.

I still, for now, think of him as a solid backup. I'd rather have a very solid backup than a below average starter.

He had 14/7/4/3 against the thunder in 20 minutes. I dont remember how much he was matched up against Westbrook, but I remember Watson saying he did good against him. Your point is valid, and he wasn't the starter with the other team focused on his game, but still very encouraging against a team with an elite point guard like that.

RaisingArizona · Post #10 » by **RaisingArizona** » Sat Mar 18, 2017 8:59 pm

We won't ever need him to be because we're probably taking Ball/Fultz or keeping Bledsoe if we go the wing route. He can play starter minutes just fine.

Damkac · Post #11 » by **Damkac** » Sat Mar 18, 2017 9:13 pm

I agree with bwgood. It's too early to tell how good will Ulis be but I think he will be at least solid bench player. Don't see why he couldn't be a starter if IT who isn't much bigger is an all-star. Ulis probably won't be as good scorer as IT is but is a better playmaker.
Ideal situation IMO would be if Suns draft Fultz/Ball and play 3 man guard rotation with Ulis, Booker and Fultz/Ball.

darealjuice · Post #12 » by **darealjuice** » Sat Mar 18, 2017 9:50 pm

If IT can be one of the better players in the league at his size, then I don't see why Ulis can't eventually reach starter level. I wouldn't be comfortable with it going into next year though. He needs to gain some weight, get stronger, and add a 3 point shot to his game. I do know that he's already made Knight look expendable and this is his first year.

TOO · Post #13 » by **TOO** » Sat Mar 18, 2017 9:53 pm

Damkac wrote:I agree with bwgood. It's too early to tell how good will Ulis be but I think he will be at least solid bench player. Don't see why he couldn't be a starter if IT who isn't much bigger is an all-star. Ulis probably won't be as good scorer as IT is but is a better playmaker.
Ideal situation IMO would be if Suns draft Fultz/Ball and play 3 man guard rotation with Ulis, Booker and Fultz/Ball.

IT is probably a good 30lbs heavier, thats a big deal. I am a huge Ulis fan, he was my favorite selection of the past draft, but at 150ish LBS, he's gonna break down over a full season of starters minutes. If he wants to be a starter, he needs to add a lot of weight and improve his 3.

Mulhollanddrive · Post #14 » by **Mulhollanddrive** » Sun Mar 19, 2017 2:16 am

He can fill a starting spot if you have nobody like T.J McConnell does for 76ers.

BJ Armstrong, Ron Harper, Derek Fisher, Mario Chalmers have won about 11 championships.

His goal should be to reach that level because it's possible, but from a team perspective Ulis playing against top 15 point guards isn't going to win us 30 more games.

blacksun · Post #15 » by **blacksun** » Sun Mar 19, 2017 5:30 am

My head says no, but my heart says yes.

Post #16 » by **batsmasher** » Sun Mar 19, 2017 6:32 am

No, he's a little man with no interest in putting on any weight. Even at 180 lbs he'd get abused defensively. Unless he turns into a 3 point sharpshooter, he has little chance of making it as a starter. Otherwise he'll just turn into another Ish Smith.

And that's not even thinking about whatever hip issues he may have.

Who cares tho? We enjoy watching him... he'll be a great backup PG that could situationally be a good starter.

Bogyo · Post #17 » by **Bogyo** » Sun Mar 19, 2017 7:29 am

Starter on the 76ers? Yes. Starter on a contender? Highly unlikely. Maybe on a Wade/Lebron/Bosh superteam, but even those guys would chew him out when he gets abused on D b/c of his height/weight disatvantage.

But I do love his game, especially compared to the Knight's of the NBA world.

grumpysaddle · Post #18 » by **grumpysaddle** » Sun Mar 19, 2017 8:03 pm

darealjuice wrote:If IT can be one of the better players in the league at his size, then I don't see why Ulis can't eventually reach starter level. I wouldn't be comfortable with it going into next year though. He needs to gain some weight, get stronger, and add a 3 point shot to his game. I do know that he's already made Knight look expendable and this is his first year.

Knight made himself look expendable, TBH.

But, even if he hadn't, Ulis would have shown he is the better player.

Post #19 » by **Texas Chuck** » Mon Mar 20, 2017 12:03 am

I love Ulis. Thought he was an incredible draft steal--even with the hip concerns. It does feel like he's too small to make it work defensively, but the Celtics have managed to have a very good defense with horrible defender IT starting and still missing a rim protector and being an awful rebounding team.

So it has to be possible, right?

But if at any point you guys grow weary of him, just send him east to Dallas. JJ Barea is getting old and I'd love to slide Ulis into his role. And that's assuming we find a better PG. Ulis would certainly be starting over Yogi atm.

Post #20 » by **bwgood77** » Mon Mar 20, 2017 1:10 pm

Texas Chuck wrote:I love Ulis. Thought he was an incredible draft steal--even with the hip concerns. It does feel like he's too small to make it work defensively, but the Celtics have managed to have a very good defense with horrible defender IT starting and still missing a rim protector and being an awful rebounding team.

So it has to be possible, right?

But if at any point you guys grow weary of him, just send him east to Dallas. JJ Barea is getting old and I'd love to slide Ulis into his role. And that's assuming we find a better PG. Ulis would certainly be starting over Yogi atm.

He's still pretty pesky on defense, and did win DPOY in the SEC in college. He's no IT defensively, that's for sure.