how bad is James Jones?

[Mainstreet]

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

James Jones was really solid tonight. Perhaps it is the leather ball or maybe just the confidence it instills in him. If he can continue to play like this he would really solidify the 8th spot. He has the whole package when he can hit his shots. Also Marcus Banks seems to be playing with alot more focus of late.

 

[devilalum]

James Jones was really solid tonight. Perhaps it is the leather ball or maybe just the confidence it instills in him. If he can continue to play like this he would really solidify the 8th spot. He has the whole package when he can hit his shots. Also Marcus Banks seems to be playing with alot more focus of late.

Its the ball.

 

[basketballfan]

Its the ball.

The ball definitely helps him, but it's more that he's a good shooter.

 

[mribnik]

This is from the ESPN recap of the game...

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=270107021

Jones, whose shooting fortunes have turned around with the return of the leather ball, started the fourth quarter with a pair of 3-pointers and the rout was on. He was 13-for-41 from 3-point range with the synthetic basketball and is 8-for-13 since the switch back to leather, including 5-for-8 against the Warriors.

"I love the old ball," James said. "I was having problems shooting the composite or whatever it's called. The leather ball feels better, and I think it's actually better for guys with big hands. I've said that from the jump and I think a lot of other guys in the league are enjoying it now, too."

 

[panfolk]

NO!!!! My tivo didn't record JR's comeback game. Anyhow, I am pleased the trash talk can abate a bit.

 

[Covert Rain]

NO!!!! My tivo didn't record JR's comeback game. Anyhow, I am pleased the trash talk can abate a bit.

Though I think JJ had a great game let's not jump the gun here. JJ has had good games in the past. It didn't stop him from going into the tank at the end of last year or the start of this one. He has had more stinker games then good ones. JJ's potential has never been the issue for me. It's his consistency. What good does it do to have him in the rotation if he takes another nose dive or only has a good game like this every 10 games or so?

That does nothing to convince me he should be in the regular rotation. Let's see how he does over the next few weeks to see if he actually deserves to be back in the regular rotation.

My only worry is that if he isn't "back" and they stick to long with him, then working guys like JJ or JR will be really difficult late in the season.

 

[jbeecham]

I agree with you Steeldog. JR's shooting reminds me of a young Joe Johnson, 1 good game for every 4 or 5 bad ones. The main difference is that Joe got a lot more playing time. I'm sure a lot of the articles claiming JR's back are simply trying to boost his confidence so that he believes he's back and continues to have good games. I'd like to see Banks, Jalen & even Jumaine (who has been more inconsistent than James, although has had less chances) get some playing time in the 1st half if they mix 1 of them in with 4 of the top 7, especially on nights when the matchups don't favor playing KT very much.

 

[Chaz]

JR's shooting reminds me of a young Joe Johnson, 1 good game for every 4 or 5 bad ones.

Interesting, I had the same thought.

Both good shooters. JoeJ had/has a good mid range floater to go to when defenders get up on him though.

When teams get smart and get up in JR's face all he can do is pass it.

Where JR is valuable, and why he was brought in IMO, was to space the floor for Amare. He has also proven some worth on defense with his length.
I have all kinds of confidence in Jones when he is taking open shots but teams learn quickly not to give him good looks and make him put the ball on the floor.

 

[Gaddabout]

It's obvious one of the defensive schemes teams have figured out against the Suns is to chase weakside shooters off the 3-point line. I can't count how many times I've seen Raja Bell pose for a shot, then dribble around a scrambling defender to hit a 20-footer this year. It's something we haven't seen much of until this year. Teams were willing to let the Suns shoot behind the line and take their chances with the percentages, but they've figured out you can't have that many 3-for-2 exchanges with the Suns. The Suns shoot well enough to beat the odds shooting so many threes behind the line.

By chasing the shooters off the line, it becomes a long 2-point shot, and the risk/reward is not really in the Suns favor ... but it's something a guy like JR's going to have to learn if he's going to be a regular rotation player. He'll always get 2 or 3 open looks from the corner just because Nash is on the team, but he has to find other ways to score against teams that are better prepared for this offense. You have to learn how to score out of your own rhythm. That's just the NBA.

 

[Mr.Dibbs]

JJ's potential has never been the issue for me. It's his consistency. What good does it do to have him in the rotation if he takes another nose dive or only has a good game like this every 10 games or so?

Exactly. I'm stoked he had a great game, but for us to realistically win a championship, we need him to be able to do this every night. He might not always have the opportunity, but he needs be consistent when given the chance.

I'm happy for him. Watching him struggle sucked. What sucks more is seeing all of our additions this year (J. Jones, Rose, Banks, Pitsuckski) really amount to nothing so far.

 

[playstation]

11 for his last 16...and he's even knocking down 3's while being fouled! who is this guy???

 

[SactownSunsFan]

11 for his last 16...and he's even knocking down 3's while being fouled! who is this guy???

I believe that's the guy we had last year before the playoffs.

 

[ArizonaSportsFan]

I guess the title of this thread will roll from "How bad is James Jones?" to "How BAD is James Jones!"

 

[SactownSunsFan]

I guess the title of this thread will roll from "How bad is James Jones?" to "How BAD is James Jones!"

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[dreamcastrocks]

I am glad that I was the first one to say that Jr. would be out of his slump once the leather ball comes around. His release looked off when he was shooting at the composite.

It makes up for the time that I wanted to draft Nene over Amare. (ok, I still have a ways to go on that one)

 

[Divide Et Impera]

Dare I say that our team is FINALLY complete?

 

[boisesuns]

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Looks like Burke and Pike. But in that case, it should be Bench Dudes.

 

[Covert Rain]

I think if JJ keeps playing like this it only helps solidify our rotation. Let's just hope he doesn't do his magic dissappearing act before the playoffs. I will hold off judgment for another couple weeks before I say JJ is back.

 

[asudevil83]

could JR really have been affected this much by the new ball?

sinse the reintroduction of the old ball, JR's shooting % has literal doubled. he's shooting 55% from the field, and 60% from 3 land in January.....after shooting 25% and 32% before then.

if he keeps his form, then that would be scary.

 

[Muggum]

3 games does not a season make. If he can keep his 3P% above 35 percent consistently, he stays in. If not, he'll be back out of the lineup soon.

 

[SactownSunsFan]

3 games does not a season make.

Unless your name is Penny Hardaway!