JMac

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

I'm aware this isn't the central theme of this thread, but the affection for Tyus Jones all summer has been perplexing. I have to assume it's primarily because he's from Minnesota and/or played for the Timberwolves earlier in his career so he's intrinsically and irrationally beloved. He's a proven starter now? Based on what? He started 23 games last year and has 72 starts in his seven-year career. He's not starting caliber. He's a reserve, and a really good one at that. Some on this board consistently frame him as a better player than he actually is and I'm not sure how you're arriving at your conclusion.

72 career starts: 30.9 MPG, 10.8 PPG, 6.6 APG, 2.8 RPG, 1.6 SPG, 52.7 TS%, 15.9 USG%, +177 plus-minus, 38-34 team record

23 starts in 2021-22: 30.3 MPG, 12.7 PPG, 6.6 APG, 3.2 RPG, 1.1 SPG, 54.8 TS%, 17.3 USG%, +201 plus-minus, 19-4 team record

There's not much there to get excited about unless you mistakenly think he's the reason the Grizzlies were good last season. Rather, Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr. were terrific when Ja Morant was injured -- or the stretch where the Jones hype initially started here. Jones deserves credit for not screwing anything up, but that's about it.

[Q-is-here]

I'm aware this isn't the central theme of this thread, but the affection for Tyus Jones all summer has been perplexing. I have to assume it's primarily because he's from Minnesota and/or played for the Timberwolves earlier in his career so he's intrinsically and irrationally beloved. He's a proven starter now? Based on what? He started 23 games last year and has 72 starts in his seven-year career. He's not starting caliber. He's a reserve, and a really good one at that. Some on this board consistently frame him as a better player than he actually is and I'm not sure how you're arriving at your conclusion.

72 career starts: 30.9 MPG, 10.8 PPG, 6.6 APG, 2.8 RPG, 1.6 SPG, 52.7 TS%, 15.9 USG%, +177 plus-minus, 38-34 team record

23 starts in 2021-22: 30.3 MPG, 12.7 PPG, 6.6 APG, 3.2 RPG, 1.1 SPG, 54.8 TS%, 17.3 USG%, +201 plus-minus, 19-4 team record

There's not much there to get excited about unless you mistakenly think he's the reason the Grizzlies were good last season. Rather, Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr. were terrific when Ja Morant was injured -- or the stretch where the Jones hype initially started here. Jones deserves credit for not screwing anything up, but that's about it.

It's not always about how much volume one produces. Jones doesn't make mistakes, actually tries hard on defense, allows others to shine, and he does this at a very reasonable cost. I think he'd be a better fit than DLO personally because of these things. It's about the whole, not the sum of the parts and Jones has consistently shown that he enhances the performance of a 5-man unit, even if he's not the star of it.

[Lipoli390]

Monster, I agree that Lil' mac is enjoyable to watch and really knows how to get others involved. But I'm trying to pressure test FNG's thesis about his value and I question how much he could bring in a 6th or 7th game Conference Finals type of situation. By that time, the opposing team is doing everything in its power to exploit matchups. On offense, they will be begging him to try to score. On defense, they will relentlessly switch bait and try to get him matched up against their alpha scorers. Not sure he can play anything other than spot minutes in this scenario.

If you are this worried about McLaughlin playing a backup role for a playoff team then I'm glad we didn't go all in on Tyus Jones as our starting PG for the next few years.

Tyus Jones is a proven starter based on how Memphis performed over a fairly long stretch of games with him at the helm last season. In addition, he is more of a threat to score than J-Mac. He has added a floater and a reliable 3-point shot to his game. And lastly, I think he is a very stout defender that is physically stronger than he looks.

I think the biggest issue I have with Jmac is his age. He's 25, which means what we see is what we're going to get. Just not sure there is much more he can add to his game at this point, although hopefully a more consistent 3-point shot is forthcoming.

Chauncey Billups and Steve Nash both took huge leaps forward between age 25 and 26. I'm sure there are other examples. Also keep in mind that JMac has had limited and uneven minutes so far in his career, which likely sets him up for more improvement than most his age.

I agree with Cam that we can't go into this next season as a win-now team depending on JMac to be our starting PG. I'm thinking more long term if Edwards develops as most of us think he will and if JMac further improves with what should be more minutes and more consistent playing time next season.

[Lipoli390]

I'm aware this isn't the central theme of this thread, but the affection for Tyus Jones all summer has been perplexing. I have to assume it's primarily because he's from Minnesota and/or played for the Timberwolves earlier in his career so he's intrinsically and irrationally beloved. He's a proven starter now? Based on what? He started 23 games last year and has 72 starts in his seven-year career. He's not starting caliber. He's a reserve, and a really good one at that. Some on this board consistently frame him as a better player than he actually is and I'm not sure how you're arriving at your conclusion.

72 career starts: 30.9 MPG, 10.8 PPG, 6.6 APG, 2.8 RPG, 1.6 SPG, 52.7 TS%, 15.9 USG%, +177 plus-minus, 38-34 team record

23 starts in 2021-22: 30.3 MPG, 12.7 PPG, 6.6 APG, 3.2 RPG, 1.1 SPG, 54.8 TS%, 17.3 USG%, +201 plus-minus, 19-4 team record

There's not much there to get excited about unless you mistakenly think he's the reason the Grizzlies were good last season. Rather, Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr. were terrific when Ja Morant was injured -- or the stretch where the Jones hype initially started here. Jones deserves credit for not screwing anything up, but that's about it.

It's not always about how much volume one produces. Jones doesn't make mistakes, actually tries hard on defense, allows others to shine, and he does this at a very reasonable cost. I think he'd be a better fit than DLO personally because of these things. It's about the whole, not the sum of the parts and Jones has consistently shown that he enhances the performance of a 5-man unit, even if he's not the star of it.

I agree, Cam. My ideal fit for this Wolves team remains Lonzo Ball, but that's not going to happen and his salary doesn't fit long term either. I think Tyus Jones would be a really good fit for the current Wolves team. He's making $15 million per year on a two-year deal. He'd make more financial sense for the Wolves in a couple years when the Wolves will likely have at least three and possibly four max contracts in KAT, Rudy, Edwards and may McDaniels.

[FNG]

Monster, I agree that Lil' mac is enjoyable to watch and really knows how to get others involved. But I'm trying to pressure test FNG's thesis about his value and I question how much he could bring in a 6th or 7th game Conference Finals type of situation. By that time, the opposing team is doing everything in its power to exploit matchups. On offense, they will be begging him to try to score. On defense, they will relentlessly switch bait and try to get him matched up against their alpha scorers. Not sure he can play anything other than spot minutes in this scenario.

If you are this worried about McLaughlin playing a backup role for a playoff team then I'm glad we didn't go all in on Tyus Jones as our starting PG for the next few years.

Tyus Jones is a proven starter based on how Memphis performed over a fairly long stretch of games with him at the helm last season. In addition, he is more of a threat to score than J-Mac. He has added a floater and a reliable 3-point shot to his game. And lastly, I think he is a very stout defender that is physically stronger than he looks.

I think the biggest issue I have with Jmac is his age. He's 25, which means what we see is what we're going to get. Just not sure there is much more he can add to his game at this point, although hopefully a more consistent 3-point shot is forthcoming.

Chauncey Billups and Steve Nash both took huge leaps forward between age 25 and 26. I'm sure there are other examples. Also keep in mind that JMac has had limited and uneven minutes so far in his career, which likely sets him up for more improvement than most his age.

I agree with Cam that we can't go into this next season as a win-now team depending on JMac to be our starting PG. I'm thinking more long term if Edwards develops as most of us think he will and if JMac further improves with what should be more minutes and more consistent playing time next season.

I'm a little late to the JMac party and I don't know what his ceiling might be, but I agree with this take. Getting regular minutes is often what a young player needs to show what he can do. DLo will be our starting PG this season, but it's pretty clear JMac has gained Finchie's confidence and is a nice fit for this team as the backup PG...or even starting in the games that DLo misses.