Interesting Hank. Jones wouldn't be a bad pickup with that pedigree. How many times have we seen a PG like that suddenly blossom (Hudson, Billups, Avery Johnson, etc.), so who knows!
I don't know we can get him for that. I think his market was set closer to Rafer Alston- 6 yrs, $29 mill. If we can get him for half the years, 1/3 the $$, I'd be thrilled. The common denominator between Pike and JJax- they'd been around the league. Pike actually had the largest contract of a Clipper (3 or 4 yrs, $12m off the top of my head), and Jackson used to be a star in the league. Damon Jones has never had more than a minimum contract. And sometimes, he's had to try and make it through training camp and 10 day contracts. He's never had a multi-year contract. He's never made $1m in a single season. I don't think he's at a point in his career where winning outweighs money. It's a matter of how much he wants to come home. The fact that he hasn't signed yet is probably good news for hopes we can get him on the cheap, I'm just skeptical.
downsdie about him is his shooting is not that good Career 2pt -.396 3pt -.366 3pt not to bad. We mainly need him for that. Im still leaning towards daniels.
if Rafer gets 6 at $29 mill. then I think Damon Jones will not be cheap. I think he's a good pick up though. he has a good jumper and is young and athletic. if we get him, he'll start over Lue.
Of all the PGs we are considering, there is not a HUGE difference between them. No matter who we get, our PG will not be the 1st, 2nd, or even 3rd option on offense. All our PG has to do is handle the ball well, make good decisions, hit some open shots, and D up. Daniels or Barry would have been ideal, but Jones is not a bad consolation prize considering the offensive options we already have on this squad.
The big names are 'gone', and the lurking begins. Security? It would have to be a big selling point. Remember, teams like Toronto and Cleveland usually have to pay top $ to get commitments. Daniels ability to bolt after one season concerns me. Too much? DFish is still around. Waiting on Kobe? To follow Shaq to Miami? To join Rox or Sonics? No clue. Chicago may yet wind up with Crawford -- and need to move a guard. Hinrich and Williams for TE? It is close on $ and I like JYD. The rosters are unsettled throughout the Association. The season is still 10+ weeks away.
One other thing I neglected to mention... Those playoff numbers? That was against the champion Detroit Pistons and current NBA darling Chauncey Billups. Jones crappy defense held Billups to 39 percent shooting for the series. Not bad. Damon Jones and Chauncey Billups are an interesting comparison actually: Both are 6'3", Billups weighs a little more and is a little stronger. Jones jumps better. They are the same age. Jones had more assists and averaged more per game while playing over 11 fewer minutes a game. Jones had a better shooting percentage and shoots the three at about the same clip. Billups is a little better rebounder (1 more a game roughly). Jones has a better assist to turnover ratio. Billups is a better free throw shooter. My point is that everyone would LOVE to have Chauncey Billups right now, but his numbers are not much better than Jones and they have many of the same qualities. If you could pick up a poor man's version of Billups to hold down your PG position, you'd probably have to think about doing that in my opinion. Jones is that kind of player. He's not as good as Billups overall, but he could very possibly become that good. He has the potential. Why not take a chance?
Yes he is clutch. No question. Best time to be clutch though is in the playoffs. When they went head to head, Jones outperformed Billups in every statistical category except for free throw shooting. I'm pretty sure if you asked the average NBA fan, they would have no idea about that. Not trying to say he is better than Chauncey Billups, just making the point that it's a pretty good comparison of the kind of player Damon Jones may very well end up being like. Obviously, I think he would be a great addition.
I really don't see why everyone is so high on Daniels...I admit I didn't see him play much last year, and this might be why. Sure, he might be a nice player...but so far he hasn't been much of a real PG. The player I remember is a PG/SG tweener that can run and is pretty athletic, but not a great shooter. I have seen Jones a little more, and he seems to be a better fit for this team if he comes cheap. I'm not sure about trading for Daniels...giving up a pick doesn't worry me, but if I understand correctly he'll be a FA after next season and I'd hate to have an overpaid PG. And why exactly haven't the Rockets even targeted Fisher? Is he asking too much?
This is all media speculation, I believe, as I have heard zero from him or his agent except platitudes.
if Brian Cardinal can get 39 million and Antonio McDyess can get 23 million; i would think Fisher is looking for his own payday as well. His contract would be right on par with what GM's are throwing at guys
Have thrown. Things will quiet down now, IMHO. What teams might be pursuing him? Maimi? They gave better than half their MLE to Doleac. Seattle? They reportedly want to cut salary. Lakes? They need him, and more. Hudson got his deal with Wolves. Raps? They (over)spent on Alston. Spurs got BBarry. Suns and Jazz are now set at the 1. Who else is competing for him (besides maybe the Rox)?
I'll wait to see what kind of contract he gets. He is a good player, but would rather see him coming off the bench.
This is crazy. If Rox really want Jones...why didn't they go for Hudson instead. This is a pathetic move. ROX's GM is too slow!
