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After being considered the best backup point guard in the NBA while playing behind All-Star Ja Morant in Memphis, Tyus Jones finally has his chance to be a full-time starter with the Washington Wizards. Jones spoke with HoopsHype about being labeled the best backup point guard for years, playing with Jordan Poole and Kyle Kuzma in Washington, and his upcoming free agency.
In Memphis, you were labeled the best backup point guard in the NBA. What has it meant for you to get a starting opportunity?
Tyus Jones: It’s meant a lot to me. It’s been everything that Will Dawkins and Mike Winger brought me here to give me that opportunity and have that faith and confidence in me. I’m trying to make them look good.
When you played behind Ja Morant, how did you take that label of being the best backup point guard?
TJ: People would ask me if I felt like a starter and how I managed being in a backup role, even though I’ve said time after time that I view myself as a starter. When you’ve started, you’ve shown you’re a starter. For me, look at my situation. I was the backup to a Top 5 point guard in the league. I’m also very self-aware and understanding of the situation. I never took it personally or looked at it sideways. I was Ja’s biggest fan. He was mine when I was on the court. There was never any ill will, weirdness, or frustration for me. I understood my role with the team and what they were asking me to do. I also understand that when Ja was out and I was asked to start, what they were asking me to do as well. Being in this league is about keeping a level head and your mind sharp by staying locked in. It’s a long season. There are a lot of ups and downs and moving parts. You’ve got to always be ready whether you’re starting, coming off the bench, playing 40 minutes or four. You’ve got to be ready to maximize every opportunity you get. That’s something I’ve learned throughout my career. That’s what helped me in that stint in Memphis.
Have you kept tabs on the Memphis guys?
TJ: I have. I still talk with them pretty frequently. We played them our second game of the season. It was good to catch up with them early on. I still keep tabs on them. A lot of those guys are family and connections and relationships you build that are lifelong and never go away.
What did you take from those Memphis years to develop your game?
TJ: Growth. I tried to improve each year all around on both ends of the floor, on and off the court, as a leader, point guard, and father. There were so many different things in Memphis I experienced that continued to help me improve as a player and a person. Each year, I felt like when I was given starting opportunities, I made the most of them, which is all you can do. I was focusing on small goals and continuing to get better while taking steps forward. I’m taking that same mantra here in Washington. It’s just a bigger role. I’m trying to continue to try to improve and own the moment.
What are your expectations for the Wizards?
TJ: I know we can do something special here. I know we’ve got a lot of good pieces. The chemistry here is great. Guys get along. That’s the first and most important thing. Guys have to be able to get along and have conversations and communicate. That’ll translate to on the court. It’s still early in the season, and we’ve still got a lot of moving pieces and new faces, schemes and verbiage. We know things will continue to click. We’re just trying to improve and get better each day. By the end of the season, and we’re looking back, we’ll like where we’re at. It’s still the beginning of a new era in DC, and we’re excited about that.
What have you thought about your future in a contract season?
TJ: I try not to focus on it too much. I know there’s an opportunity here starting in a contract year. I’m trying to let that stuff play itself out and take care of it when it gets here. I like where I’m at. I like what we have here in DC. I like the future and what this could be. I want to be a part of that. I’m looking forward to doing so.
What have been your impressions of Jordan Poole as a player and person?
TJ: As a person, we hit it off right away. He’s a Midwest kid. We have that in common. He’s a basketball junkie. He loves hoops like myself. We’re always talking about our game, games around the league, watching film and breaking down situations. On the court, we’re getting more familiar with each other and building that chemistry. I’ve seen how well he moves without the ball. We’re continuing to try to implement his style of basketball here in DC and seeing what best suits him. For a point guard, it’s a fun task for me to try to alter the game to how it can fit everybody and make everyone gel. He’s the first in the gym and the last to leave. He’s a tireless worker. He works on his craft and is dedicated to it. That’s something you like to see from the face of your franchise.
What have been your impressions of Kyle Kuzma as a player and person?
TJ: He’s a tremendous leader. He takes that very seriously, being the leader of the team, the voice and the face. It’s paid off. He’s hit the ground running this year, how well and consistently he’s playing on both ends of the floor. He’s been extremely vocal. That’s something I think he’s taken a step forward in doing. Guys are following his lead. It’s cool to see because we’ve known each other from high school and college and playing against each other in the league. It’s cool to be on the same team, working together and trying to achieve the same goals.
– Michael Scotto
