Spurs' Tre Jones, Jeremy Sochan Complement Each Other Perfectly

Despite different playstyles and appearances, Jeremy Sochan and Tre Jones are a great match for the San Antonio Spurs.

Social media has been abuzz all season with rampant speculation that certain players, namely Jeremy Sochan, Devin Vassell, and Keldon Johnson, do not like Victor Wembanyama. The rationale behind this take is simple: they don't pass to the rookie as much as fans would like.

While it is true that Wembanyama has not been fed the ball when he's down low, his usage percentage of 32.1 is not only the highest on the team, it's the highest of any rookie, ever. It is also the sixth-highest in the league.

Clearly, there is no gripe with Wembanyama among the San Antonio Spurs, it's just that a young roster occasionally misses a chance for an easy bucket. 

Daniel Dunn-USA TODAY Sports

While Sochan and Vassell have received more criticism than anyone for missing Wembanyama down low, Tre Jones entered the starting lineup and immediately started feeding the French rookie. Jones and Wembanyama account for the second-best two-man lineup the Spurs have, right after Wembanyama and Vassell.

Interestingly enough, Jones and Sochan, the Spurs' two most commonly used point guards this season, manage a box/minus of +3 when they share the court. 

This season, Jones has found Sochan 252 times, which is the fourth-most on the team. Granted, the two did not share the court for the first section of the season, as Sochan was the point guard, so over the last 15 games, Sochan has received more passes from Jones than anyone aside from Wembanyama and Vassell. 

The love goes both ways. Over the last 15 games before the All-Star Break, Sochan has passed to Jones more than he has passed to anyone, and out of everyone Jones receives passes from (aside from players who have dished the ball fewer than ten times), Jones shoots the best from the field after catching a pass via Sochan. 

Between Jones and Sochan, the chemistry is unmatched. 

Looking at the two, they couldn't seem more different. Jones approaches the game with the same grace and fundamental-oriented playstyle as Tim Duncan. Sochan shoots one-handed free throws. Jones doesn't draw much attention to himself, while Sochan humps the court and pinches nipples. 

Keldon Johnson Eyes Smoother Second Half of Season

Jones plays with the same style as Mike Conley. Solid defense, a steady hand, and the ability to distribute the ball with the best of them. Sochan is a bit of a wild card, also elite on defense, he likes to talk some trash, play a psychological game, and joke around a bit. Jones is a Duke alum, and it often shows. 

The two bring vastly different playstyles to the Spurs, but they both value hard-nosed defense, winning, and team basketball. Sochan, only 20 and in his second season, is still prone to getting tunnel vision, but he can be Boris Diaw on offense and Dennis Rodman on defense. Jones, on the other hand, has hit his ceiling.

Sure, he could add an improved three-point shot, but Jones is the type of player who makes everyone else around him better. Vassell and Wembanyama both shoot better from distance when assisted by Jones, and his ability to hold the line on the perimeter is incredibly understated. 

While Wembanyama and Sochan are both elite defenders, Jones prevents drives before they happen by forcing opposing guards to pass the ball away. Sochan, on the other hand, has had elite defensive performances against Luka Doncic, LeBron James, and Scottie Barnes this season, which shows his versatility and that he can take the league's best players one-on-one. 

Cedi Osman: Buyout Now or Sign Extension in Free Agency?

More than midway through the season, it's safe to say that neither Jones nor Sochan will be stars, but winning teams don't trot out five superstars. The Spurs will build around Wembanyama and Vassell, and complimentary pieces like Jones and Sochan will be instrumental to the long-term success brewing in San Antonio.