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“Tyler Ulis. No more questions. Thank you for coming.”
Those were Phoenix Suns coach Earl Watson’s opening words of the post-game press conference, one in which he had to wait for media to gather. Watson was ready for the media long before they could collect down in the media room after the made scramble at the finish.
“To see our young guys come in and to see them actually grow in front of your eyes,” Watson continued after a round of laughter. “I think it’s the most rewarding thing. It’s never the money, it’s never the fame, it’s never TV, it’s never whatever else comes with this. Always seeing these young guys grow.”
For the first time in more than a year - almost 1.5 years to be more specific - the Phoenix Suns have a three game winning streak.
This while the team has finally whole-heartedly committed to playing their youngest players, even in crunch time of tight games.
Last night, it was rookie Marquese Chriss stripping the ball from Isaiah Thomas, and then Tyler Ulis picking up the loose ball and making the game-winner at the buzzer.
Suns were down 2 with 6 seconds left. They won by 3. Here's how. pic.twitter.com/ASwjFVRZgx
— FOX Sports Arizona (@FOXSPORTSAZ) March 6, 2017
This is the third game-winning buzzer-beater of the season for the Suns, as Ulis joins Devin Booker (Feb. 3 at Sacramento) and Eric Bledsoe (Nov. 2 vs. Portland). Ulis also hit a game-winning buzzer-beater for the Suns at NBA Summer League 2016, hitting a 35-foot triple at the overtime buzzer to give the Suns an 82-81 win over Denver on July 16.
“I have never seen it before,” Watson said. “I have never seen so many young rookies get an opportunity at the same time. We talked about our starting five and we said, we have five players on the court learning at the same time, including Bled. Learning differently, learning how to lead a team, he (Bledsoe) is learning how to lead a team vocally. Each player, they’re all learning something, they’re all getting better, and these wins keep coming and you see the confidence continue to grow. We’re just very lucky to have this group of players.”
Tyler Ulis
Ulis had a career high 20 points, including 15 in a decisive second quarter that put the Suns in the lead for (mostly) good.
Here are Isaiah Thomas and Brad Stevens talking about the loss, including a few comments on Tyler Ulis.
And here’s the combo highlight film.
Marquese Chriss also did well, becoming the first to block five shots in a game since Amare Stoudemire in 2002.