how bad is James Jones?

[Covert Rain]

By next week, he will have been in the rotation for a month. How long is this guy going to get? He has been terrible and unproductive on the floor. He has had long enough to prove he deserves minutes. James Jones shooting touch dissappered right before the playoffs, then into the playoffs last year. He still has not regained it.

The Suns have given him long enough to "work" his way in the rotation. It's time to give someone else a shot at those minutes. Give them to Rose or the other JJ. I think it's time to see what one of those guys can do given the same minutes. They really couldn't do any worse the James right now. Enough is enough!

 

[mribnik]

James Jones has been in a terrible shooting funk, but I still think he deserves minutes. I like what D'Antoni is doing with him.

 

[Card Trader]

but I still think he deserves minutes.

Not being sarcastic....but why?

 

[HooverDam]

Not being sarcastic....but why?

defense, rebounding, steals, hustles, etc. Basketball is played on two ends of the court. The team is on a roll, and he isn't completely ruining the flow when he's on the court, so its a smart move to let him hopefully find his offensive game. You can either let him play, and hopefully it pays off down the road by helping him regain confidence, or you can let him sit and play the starters, or Jalen "Lead Feet" Rose some more- I think D'Antoni is doing the right thing.

 

[mribnik]

Not being sarcastic....but why?

because I think he'll break out of his funk sooner or later, and this team isn't losing games because he's on the floor. He's proven he can hit the 3 last year and at least when he's not shooting well he rebounds and plays solid defense.

 

[Card Trader]

I can understand that, but the guy isn't above average at anything. He can hustle all he wants, he just isn't a good basketball player. The guy is a shooter.





That can't shoot.

 

[Chaplin]

If we didn't have anyone on the bench that could replace him, that's one thing, but that isn't the case. He's getting playing time at the expense of someone like Jalen, and he is really a waste out there.

 

[Nasser22]

He's not bad. He has proven that he can shoot and that will come back eventually. He has been playing pretty good on the other side of the ball and I don't mind D'Antoni giving him playing time.

But with that said...I can't believe that Jumaine Jones isn't getting any playing time. He is sounds like he'd do just what James Jones is doing but hey, he might make his shots right away. I just don't get how they won't even give him any playing time to prove himself on the court.

 

[jbeecham]

James Jones makes the majority of his shots in pre-game warmups and I remember reading reports that he shoots very well in practice as well. For some reason it isn't translating over to the games though. I agree with those that say he hustles on defense. He can make some good blocks (occasionally a spectacular one), plays solid help defense, boxes out for rebounds and grabs rebounds. His one-on-one defense is decent and he can guard bigger players because of his long arms. He has trouble guarding quicker players, but so do all of our bench guys.

Jalen Rose is slow. Extremely slow. His defense is horrible. He might be able to add to the team offensively once in a while, but most of the time we're trying to preserve a lead and the other team just attacks him whenever he's in the game. In fact, when Jalen came into tonight's game with 7:30 to go in the 4th, they went right at him 3 plays in a row and blew by him for easy layups.

Jumaine Jones hasn't gotten much of a chance. I saw him play in 2 preseason games and his shot was much worse than James's. He was airballing 3's and coming up shot on all of his shots. The same thing happened in the Memphis game when the bench almost blew our 34 pt lead in 6 minutes. I'd be ok with mixing Jumaine into the game like their using JR (with 4 starters or at least 4 out of the top 7) to see how he responds for a couple of games. I think there's something D'Antoni is seeing (or isn't seeing ) from him in practice that makes him not want to play Jumaine. Maybe he's been slow to learn the plays like Steven Hunter was. I don't think I've ever heard Jumaine called a smart or cerebral basketball player, but for some reason I thought I've heard him called lazy in the past.

 

[JS22]

It's strange to think that just last year Jumaine Jones was averaging 10/5 in only 27 minutes a game.

 

[Covert Rain]

If we didn't have anyone on the bench that could replace him, that's one thing, but that isn't the case. He's getting playing time at the expense of someone like Jalen, and he is really a waste out there.

Exactly.

He's not bad. He has proven that he can shoot and that will come back eventually.

He has? His shooting funk started last season and into last years playoffs. It's now the next season and he is still in it.

Jalen Rose is slow. Extremely slow.

He can't possibly be any slower then Kurt. He is quick enough to guard a SF just not guards. On offense, Jalen should be playing with his back to the basket....and not shooting 3's. I wouldn't mind also seeing Jumaine get some time.

 

[jbeecham]

He can't possibly be any slower then Kurt. He is quick enough to guard a SF just not guards. On offense, Jalen should be playing with his back to the basket....and not shooting 3's. I wouldn't mind also seeing Jumaine get some time.

He's not slower than KT, but he's also not defending PF's & C's, which is how KT gets away with being slow. I don't remember who was driving around Rose at will tonight, but it seemed like it was Morris Peterson, Joey Graham, Fred Jones or PJ Tucker. I was at the other end of the Arena behind the basket so it was hard to see which guy it was, but they were beating him off the dribble like he was standing still. The Raptors must've gotten 8-10 layups when we went to the end of our bench with 7:30 left in the game.

 

[Chaplin]

He's not slower than KT, but he's also not defending PF's & C's, which is how KT gets away with being slow. I don't remember who was driving around Rose at will tonight, but it seemed like it was Morris Peterson, Joey Graham, Fred Jones or PJ Tucker. I was at the other end of the Arena behind the basket so it was hard to see which guy it was, but they were beating him off the dribble like he was standing still. The Raptors must've gotten 8-10 layups when we went to the end of our bench with 7:30 left in the game.

Joey Graham and Fred Jones are hardly the guys to use to prove that Jalen is slow. Morris Peterson, however, might be, but was he even in the game by the time Jalen got on the floor? Don't know who the heck PJ Tucker is, let alone what his game is like, even though he appeared to have a decent one tonight.

 

[jbeecham]

Joey Graham and Fred Jones are hardly the guys to use to prove that Jalen is slow. Morris Peterson, however, might be, but was he even in the game by the time Jalen got on the floor? Don't know who the heck PJ Tucker is, let alone what his game is like, even though he appeared to have a decent one tonight.

All 4 of those guys played while Rose was out there. Tucker is a 6'5 SG with pretty decent quickness. Tucker had 8 pts in the 4th when Rose was in the game (2 layups, a jumper and 2 fts). Joey Graham didn't score in that time frame, but grabbed a couple of rebs. Fred Jones got a layup and a couple rebs, Mo Pete hit a 10 ft jumper and grabbed some rebs. It must have been PJ Tucker that Rose was guarding the burned him 3 times for layups (made 2 & got fouled on the 3rd).

 

[AzStevenCal]

James Jones is the worst Suns player to actually get minutes I have seen in the last decade.

What planet were you on during Luc Longley's run with the Suns? He acccomplished the unthinkable by replacing Dale Shlueter(sp?) on the list of most dangerous Sun ever. Unfortunately, Luc and Dale were dangerous only to their teammates. I still have nightmares thinking about the blind-side picks that Luc frequently set on his own point guard. I suspect Kidd's teeth are still rattling.

James Jones does a lot of things well for this team but he has to start making his shots soon or he'll be shown the door. He has some market value and if his confidence doesn't rebound soon he'll probably be moved to a team with more traditional schemes. Either that or Dantoni will try to hide his weakness by playing him solely at center.JMO

Steve

 

[slinslin]

All 4 of those guys played while Rose was out there. Tucker is a 6'5 SG with pretty decent quickness. Tucker had 8 pts in the 4th when Rose was in the game (2 layups, a jumper and 2 fts). Joey Graham didn't score in that time frame, but grabbed a couple of rebs. Fred Jones got a layup and a couple rebs, Mo Pete hit a 10 ft jumper and grabbed some rebs. It must have been PJ Tucker that Rose was guarding the burned him 3 times for layups (made 2 & got fouled on the 3rd).

PJ Tucker is a PF , not a SG.

 

[zett]

I like what coach is doing with him, we are going to need him to get going sooner or later.
If he can block a shot or two and play enough defese to get a stop or two I can live with him only shooting 25% if he only is shooting 5 times a game, its not like he's cold and jacking up 12 shots a game and getting burned at the other end. a defensive stop is as good as a layup at the other end. If he can at least break even with his man then Ill take it!

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

Joey Graham and Fred Jones are hardly the guys to use to prove that Jalen is slow. Morris Peterson, however, might be, but was he even in the game by the time Jalen got on the floor? Don't know who the heck PJ Tucker is, let alone what his game is like, even though he appeared to have a decent one tonight.

pj tucker is a rookie from texas. was a good college player. somewhat like a barkley/bonzi player. undersized power forward who is transitioning to a bonzi wells-type position in the nba. may not be explosive enough.

 

[Divide Et Impera]

What planet were you on during Luc Longley's run with the Suns? He acccomplished the unthinkable by replacing Dale Shlueter(sp?) on the list of most dangerous Sun ever. Unfortunately, Luc and Dale were dangerous only to their teammates. I still have nightmares thinking about the blind-side picks that Luc frequently set on his own point guard. I suspect Kidd's teeth are still rattling.

James Jones does a lot of things well for this team but he has to start making his shots soon or he'll be shown the door. He has some market value and if his confidence doesn't rebound soon he'll probably be moved to a team with more traditional schemes. Either that or Dantoni will try to hide his weakness by playing him solely at center.JMO

Steve

I thought it was Joe Klein who's presence at the Suns practice facility was an imminent danger to the remaining roster....

 

[Goldfield]

Jones is struggling real bad. I love the way he plays & gets alot of nice rebounds & blocks. I hope he gets his shot back soon cuz time is running out on him to get back into it.

 

[Mainstreet]

I'd like Jumaine Jones get a good look by the Suns. I'm sure he is better than Burke and he is probably a better shooter than JR (at least right now). He also seems to have a bigger build than JR. I'm not sure about his defense, but he again has to be better than Burke.

 

[Mainstreet]

Just another quick thought. Didn't Kris Humphries go to Toronto? I didn't see him play last night. I always thought he would help the Suns frontline. Maybe he is injured or something and I missed it.

 

[NativeSun]

I admire James Jones' hustle and effort...

but he is definitely an offensive liability at this point. He needs to show signs of life or stop shooting the ball and just focus on rebounds on the offensive side of the ball.

 

[Chaz]

but he is definitely an offensive liability at this point. He needs to show signs of life or stop shooting the ball and just focus on rebounds on the offensive side of the ball.

I think he only took 2 shots last game.


This kid is a talented player and is having trouble with his shooting. I remember when another young player was struggling with his shooting and many wanted to trade him away. But he turned into a very valuable player. I am not comparing players just saying some patience may be in order.


Jones was brought here to space the floor for Amare. He is not as effective in the current offense but I say lets wait until after the leather ball comes back before we close the book on James Jones.

Even with his poor shooting the other team still has to cover him.

I guess in the midst of a winning streak the worst thing we have to complain about is JR's shooting.

 

[basketballfan]

I've been watching James play for a long time and he IS a good shooter. Reggie Miller (One of the best shooters ever) would agree with that. He's struggling this year, but there are signs that he's starting to get it together. I think that he'll find his shot by the playoffs, and most of you will regret some of the stuff you say. He's a good, hard working kid that I'm rooting for to come out his slump. I cheer for guys like James. Besides, he's one of a few suns over the last 2 or 3 years that does good things for the team and gives good effort even when he can't buy a bucket. His J will come. It's like Eddie Johnson always says; He has great mechanics and he has confidence, he just has to find his rhythm. Eddie knows shooting so I believe what he says. It'll come.

I knew his shot would come. It's only gonna get better as he gets more confidence. Good for James. He deserves it.