He is. These past few weeks have been really fun to watch. I still am not confident about him and Dmo for the post season. I feel they're not cut out for the playoffs. I hope I'm wrong.
Hey cyberx, was that pick for Knight trade an owner induced "keep the team competitive for $$$" trade or was that what their FO really wanted?
Both Jones and DMo are decent. They are also both expendable. Which one of them is better changes week to week. The Rockets have 3 decent PFs-- Jones, DMo and Smith-- the Rockets can probably make do with any 2 of them. I would be happy to give up either Jones or DMo, plus other assets, for Dragic, even given the risk that he leaves at the end of the season. You only have so many years with Dwight and even Harden, can't afford to not maximize your chance for any of these years.
Suns are so dumb! Instead of getting a lottery pick and Jones, they actually gave up a top 5 protected pick (LA's) to pay Knight 48-60 million dollars this summer. Maybe if Jones played this well before the trading deadline, the Suns would have gone with it but even then, they overpaid to pay even more this summer. Hinkie stole that LA pick from them. Suns could of have LA's top 5 pick and two late lottery picks. Now they only have their own 1st. So dumb.
Jones is proving to be a better fit than DMo...DMo is important because we lack height and Howard is out...but we're not exactly maximizing his post talent and he can't rebound or anchor the post defensively. Jones true two way player..
At that time, Suns' trade looked like a nice deal for them but who'd expect TJ came back so strongly so fast... blessing for us.
There probably was at least some concern with TJ's injury as Jones didn't completely regain his athleticism until after the trade deadline. If Jones doesn't pass his physical (and I'm sure the Suns won't waive it), the whole trade can go south and leave Suns with nothing when Dragic bolts in the summer.
In his defense..I think this was back when no one knew if Jones would even come back from his nerve issue. It would've been risky, at that point.
Cyberx, thanks for the post! As to the Suns? Good! You guys effed around for months while the writing was on the wall with Dragic and did nothing. Now enjoy sitting in it!
It was a few years ago, but Leebigez did state that among the PF at that time (Jones, Patterson and I believe D-MO), Jones had the highest ceiling. So glad Jones was not traded.
If you look at where Miami is headed, I actually like their trade for Dragic. It's the other trade where they gave up the Lakers' pick that is a cringeworthy move. If their GM gets fired it should be for that one. Yeesh.
Jones post defense this season has actually been very good. Not sure how much that has to do with not having to go against LMA, but that extra muscle he added is showing. Love was murdering Smoove in the post, but Jones made it very very tough for him. The one thing that is limiting his upside is having a certain niche on offense. He isn't consistent in posting-up, attacking the rim, outside shot, but he's an elite finisher around the rim.
In retrospect, I don't think I would've traded Jones (nor DMo) for Dragic given that he'd have cost the full 5yr max to stay. As a rental I just would've given up the Pelicans pick. I would've traded Jones if we were certain Josh Smith would re-sign, but that's not a given in any way.
