While Tre Jones welcomes the chance to start at point guard for the San Antonio Spurs, it doesn't consume him. In fact, ask Jones if he sees this as an opportunity to solidify his role as the team's starting PG and the answer isn't any kind of a clarification.
ClutchPoints would know.
“Every game I get to play, I'm trying to continue to play my game and leave my impact or my imprint on the game as well. Whether I'm starting or coming off the bench, it doesn't matter,” Tre Jones told ClutchPoints when asked if he sees this string of starts as the chance to slam the door on any debate as to who should be the Spurs' starting point guard.
“My main goal is always just to win. Whenever my name is called, my number is called, I'm going to try to be ready, as ready as I can, and do what I can for the team and what the team asks me to do and let the rest just take care of itself. I'm not too worried about that.”
Praise from teammates
Several of the Spurs best players haven't shied away from talking about how much of a difference Jones has made since entering the starting lineup on January 4. However, second-leading scorer Devin Vassell lights up when discussing Jones' court vision and play-making abilities.
“It just says that I'm doing my job. I'm supposed to be the point guard for this team. I'm supposed to make their jobs easier. I'm supposed to just get them in their spots and try to help the game be easier on them,” Jones, the former Duke star, told ClutchPoints. “Obviously, they're the main focus for the opposing teams and so I'll do anything I can to take the load off of them, get them get good looks, get them in the right sports, the earlier in the game, the better as well. I've got to continue to do that.”
A different Spurs team
The Spurs have been competitive toward the end of every game they've played since Jones entered the starting lineup. In their last two contests, they've battled back from big deficits to make things close.
On Saturday, they rallied from 18 down to eventually take an eight-point fourth-quarter lead on the Chicago Bulls. Jones scored a career-high 30 while also leading the team in rebounding that night.
“Just trying to do whatever we need,” Jones said of an effort that came in a 122-116 loss without Victor Wembanyama.
In Monday's loss at the Atlanta Hawks, Jones may have had his worst game since becoming a starter, though he still dished out 12 assists. His six points matched his low during the span. His other six-point effort came in a blowout win vs. Charlotte when he played only 20 minutes. Otherwise, the 2020 second-round draft pick has scored 11 and 18 twice and recorded between four and seven assists in his six starts this season.
The loss in Atlanta stands as the anomaly for Jones, and even then, the Spurs nearly erased all of the 35-point deficit in ultimately falling 109-99.
In playing much better since the start of the calendar year, the 7-32 Spurs continue to look for a groove. Tre Jones is happy to help them get into it. No matter what that means regarding a starting spot.
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