Dmo is by far the better post player, that's about it. Jones is the better athlete, shot blocker, shooter. He can also finish strong in the pick n roll. Not to mention, Howard loves playing next to him. Dmo is great n all but I don't think he's going to start once jones gets back and Dmo is definitely not going to resign here to play as a backup, so might as well trade him now before he becomes a free agent.
The decision whether or not to start Jones or DMo I think comes down to defense. Question: who would you rather have defending...Dirk, Z-Bo, Aldridge, Griffin, Duncan, Anthony Davis, Cousins, and David Lee? Last year we all saw Jones struggle to guard most of these guys. Jones just doesn't have the height and the strength to guard these guys...either he gets bullied in the post, or, these great-shooting PFs shoot right over him.
Mario I don't think i've ever seen a non LOF opinion as absurd as that one. If DMo continues to play at even 85% of where he's been these past 11 or so games there is zero, zero, zero chance he sits for TJones. He's playing way, way better than TJones ever did. And I was on Team Jones for all of last year. Better defender? Can create his own shots? Ideal PF/C size? Cool, you're in the starting lineup.
No way. Dmo is starting. Jones is best in a Lamar Odom type 6th man role. Dmo starting with Dwight has more potential.
I seem to recall just a couple weeks prior to the start of the season, Clutchfans thought DMo couldn't even be traded for hot garbage.
I think jones has josh smith type of potential, except without the low basketball iq and at a fraction of the cost. I think you guys are being prisoner of the moment here. Jones is an absolute stud and he's only 22 years old. You guys are being too hard on him for getting owned by Aldridge in the playoffs. Aldridge was unstoppable. Didnt matter who was guarding him that series, asik, jones and howard couldn't stop him and neither would Dmo. Do you guys not remember that just a couple of weeks ago, you would've traded Dmo for a bag of potato chips? Lol
There is no way Jones comes back to is in the starting line-up. Being on for an extended time with the high level Dmo is playing, he will have to earn the starting job back.
...coming off of nerve problems, I'm sure Jones will be brought back slowly-definitely not a starter over Dmo any time soon but he'll get some decent minutes in the 3 man big rotation.i oils like to see Jones and Dmo play together in spurts when Dwight needs a breather.
sorry, but its WAYY more than that. Jones benefits a lot from cleaning up after dwight when we play poor defensive teams, and he simply gets stomped on the defensive end (almost just as bad as Harden last year). If he could have been able to knock that 3 ball down consistently, I would pick him, but the only thing he has over Dmo atm is athleticism.
Posted this back in September: I think the Rockets figured out the same thing - albeit out of necessity due to injuries, but it's good to see Motiejunas performing well and pushing our expectations from him! Keep working his post game; teach him to finish his moves closer to the basket and reduce the number of fall away hooks more than 3ft from the basket. That is the next step for DMo to post play greatness
There's a decent debate to be had about who is the better offensive player. Jones is exceptional finishing around the rim, is a great PnR partner/garbage man and his post game has shown major growth. Where there is no debate is on the defensive end. I like Jones a lot, but he will get straight murdered by bigger PFs. It's a major problem, and it's one of the main reasons we lost last year. DMo solves that problem. Now jones can use his skills (which are considerable, I'm actually a big fan of Jones) off the bench where his defensive shortcomings will not be as severe.
Yes, he is becoming more confident with the 3 ball, and his mid range shot will get better with time too.