Has ANY player ever gone missing like this bloke does year after year come play off time? He used to have a reputation for going missing with LA...and then he did nothing for Charlotte last play offs (after playing great all season) Now, same old story... ------------------
Its only 4 games, but it is a strange twist. ------------------ Founder and President of the Houston Homers Club(HHC) - Are you a homer? Join now! The Rockets will be NBA champions. Believe.
Hopefully he'll improve with experience, but he just forces the action way too much. I have no problem with him trying to take it on his own, but some of the shots he's taking are just plain horrible. It is odd, because normally he's so clutch. ------------------
Jones' reputation as a playoff choker isn't entirely deserved -- he's had some good playoffs, and some not-so-good ones. For example, in '95-'96 (the year of Magic's comeback), he was the Lakers' best player against the Rockets, with a field goal percentage of 55% (and 52% on 3-pointers). His career playoff shooting percentages are 44.5% from the field (just under his overall average of 45.3%) and 41.7% on 3-pointers (better than his overall average of 37.7%). Which means that you can probably explain his reduced scoring average (13.7 points, versus 16.4 overall) as a result of getting fewer shots, and specifically fewer fast-break opportunities -- which you'd expect in the playoffs. For this year, Jones averaged 17.4 points on 44.5% shooting, and 37.8% on 3-pointers. In the playoffs so far, he's averaging 17.5 points on 43.3% shooting, and 38.5% on 3-pointers. That's "going missing"?? I suppose his numbers are a disappointment if you expect him to be a go-to scorer a la Kobe, Vince, or Reggie ... but he's never been that. Heck, the guy was drafted as a defensive specialist (similar to Shandon Anderson). ------------------
You make some good points Swopa...and you almost had me rethink However, I guess what I am getting at is that Eddie has always been a player who seems capable of making the big shot, or going off for 35. He has done that in regular season games. When it comes to the play offs, he just has never gone to that 'next level' and look at his teams records...almost always straight out. If you compare him to a Shandon Anderson type player, then fair enough...let's not criticise him. However, his rep has always been MUCH more than a Shandon Anderson type...this guy is a multiple all star on a huge contract and he has never really come through... ------------------ [This message has been edited by ScreamingRocketJet (edited April 24, 2001).]
The Shandon Anderson comparison is just to let you know how he was viewed when he was drafted ("another Michael Cooper" was the actual phrase used at the time, but I wanted to give you a more current/Rocket-specific example). Jones quickly proved that he was more than that, because he could score some. But he's never, ever been a No. 1 option-scorer type. He's an All-Star on a big contract because he combines solid scoring (as a No. 2 option) with outstanding defense. For you to say he's disappeared in the playoffs this year, when he's putting up almost exactly the same numbers as he did in the regular season, shows where the real problem lies -- with your exaggerated perceptions of what he should be able to do. How are the rest of the Heat starters doing compared to their regular-season stats, I wonder? I'll bet that most, if not all, of them are doing a lot worse. So why blame Eddie Jones? ------------------ [This message has been edited by Swopa (edited April 24, 2001).]
Eeep, hit 'reply' instead of 'edit'. Anyway, just to offer a bit of extra info, Jones has had at least two stellar playoff series -- against the Rockets in '95-'96 (when his main problem was getting shots amid Magic's midlife-crisis meltdown), and in the second round against Seattle in '97-'98, when he averaged 22 points on 54% shooting. [This message has been edited by Swopa (edited April 24, 2001).]
Okay...we agree then Swopa that Jones is an average 'second' (even third) option type player and thus his performances aren't dissapointing. I'd bet good money however that Eddie views himself as an 'elite' player...which he clearly is not on his play off record. ------------------
This is even stranger especially considering the game that Jones had the other night. 21 pts, 6 rebs, 2 assists... 4-8 on threes. The first game wasnt great but he certainly didnt disappear 14 pts, 5 rebs, 1 assist, 2 steal He could play better, but so could the rest of his team and I think that has more to do with it in this situation. ------------------ I hope, when they die, cartoon characters have to answer for their sins.
Jones is a playoff choker. He has deservedly owned the rep for years. Have you ever seen him step up late in a game during the playoffs. Never! Jones has always hesitated in the crunch with his shot and that's why he'll always be a 2nd tier guard. We can't use any examples from his Miami stint because both games have been blowouts. But his last game as a Hornet against the 76ers was a classic Eddie choke job. Passed up good shots and badly bricked the ones he took in the crunch. And he has the audacity to place blame on his big men after the game because they didn't step up their game during the series. That's Eddie Jones for you in a nutshell. ------------------
Eddie Jones is not a playoff choker, he is just not the Franchise guard he is paid as. He would be perfect as a second banana, but not as the primary option. When was the last time you went, "Wow, that Eddie Jones carried that team to the next round."? I don't remember ever saying it. Jones blends in, he doesn't take over games. He can't be asked to lead a team because thats not in his personality, he's complementary player. He's Pippen w/more skill and not such a b****y attitude. It makes me glad we have Mobley and Francis on the Rockets, they may shoot us to a few losses now and again(but not as many wins as they shoot us to), but at least they have the guts to shoot the ball. ------------------ Founder and President of the Houston Homers Club(HHC) - Are you a homer? Join now! The Rockets will be NBA champions. Believe. [This message has been edited by Puedlfor (edited April 25, 2001).]
