Is it Just Me or is James Jones lookin Nice

[goldseraph]

No not his looks, his game.

18pts in preseason game 1
19pts in preseason game 2

Could he be the one to fill a lot of JJ's void? Jones has a very nice set
shot from 3 range, but not that much athleticism or leaping ability, so he
is a FAR more effective shooter when he gets open looks. Nash's penetration should open things up alot for Jones.

 

[jbeecham]

James Jones was impressive tonight (just got back from the game). His shooting was really good and he also had a lot of nice passes for open jumpers (I counted 4 assists). The main difference between James Jones and Joe Johnson is ball-handling and playmaking ability. The other guy that impressed me was Diaw.

 

[overseascardfan]

It's good to here he is playing well because he is our staring small forward with Amare out.

 

[Treesquid PhD]

James Jones was impressive tonight (just got back from the game). His shooting was really good and he also had a lot of nice passes for open jumpers (I counted 4 assists). The main difference between James Jones and Joe Johnson is ball-handling and playmaking ability. The other guy that impressed me was Diaw.

Yeah Diaw is my personal favorite too.

 

[Dustbuster]

One encouraging thing about Jones is that he showed the ability to shoot some pullup jumpers off of the dribble, rather than just making set shots. I would love for him to develop a runner in the lane like JJ's, at that was a very consistent weapon for him that was basically impossible to stop.

 

[Yuma]

One encouraging thing about Jones is that he showed the ability to shoot some pullup jumpers off of the dribble, rather than just making set shots. I would love for him to develop a runner in the lane like JJ's, at that was a very consistent weapon for him that was basically impossible to stop.

Pull up umpers off the dribble are a lost art in the NBA. Most guys end up wide open because their defenders are looking for them to take it to the hole. I've been moaning about noone on the Suns being able to do this for quite a few seasons now. It's good we got a guy like this!

 

[Errntknght]

Yuma, "Pull up umpers off the dribble are a lost art in the NBA. Most guys end up wide open because their defenders are looking for them to take it to the hole. I've been moaning about noone on the Suns being able to do this for quite a few seasons now. It's good we got a guy like this!"

The problem with pull-up jumpers is that they are still jumpers. Give me a Maggette who'll take it all the way to the hoop and work at getting contact on the way. Marion shoots plenty of pull-ups, so the Suns are not totally lacking.


Dustbuster, "One encouraging thing about Jones is that he showed the ability to shoot some pullup jumpers off of the dribble, rather than just making set shots. I would love for him to develop a runner in the lane like JJ's, at that was a very consistent weapon for him that was basically impossible to stop."

I haven't seen Jones yet but the reports are that he doesn't have a good 'handle' so it's improbable that he'll be able to thread his way into the lane the way JJ did for his floater. He's got a lot better chance to develope a drive from the wing a la Casey Jacobson - with a better finish, of course. In any case, it's good that he'll move in a few steps for a pull-up instead of always shooting the longer shot.

What the team needs even more than any move with the ball is movement without the ball, especially along the baseline. I doubt if Jones has the quick shot or quick jump to make him a great baseline player but he can work screens with KT to create little openings - for both of them.

 

[jbeecham]

One encouraging thing about Jones is that he showed the ability to shoot some pullup jumpers off of the dribble, rather than just making set shots. I would love for him to develop a runner in the lane like JJ's, at that was a very consistent weapon for him that was basically impossible to stop.

I don't know if James Jones can develop JJ's floater in the lane, but Boris Diaw already has it and used it last night on his way to the hoop. His 3 baskets were a fast break dunk, a layup in traffic (started at the 3pt line and penetrated to the hoop through defenders for the layup) and a penetration with a floater over the defense from about 8ft out.

 

[Dustbuster]

No use crying over spilt milk, but it sure would be nice to have JJ as our primary offensive weapon right now. He could do a lot of the things that we are missing at the moment.

I'm happy about the addition of James Jones. Once again we have shown our ability at picking quality swings and guards on their way up. If only we had the same propensity for landing up and coming bigs. Amare is one of the few quality bigs that we've been able to land through draft or FA. Dice was the other in recent history, and we all know how well that turned out.

Three bigs that I am interested in pursuing are: Chris Wilcox, Nene, and Drew Gooden. Each one of them brings risks: all of them are probably going to want a big payday, although none of them have earned one thus far. All of them have questions either about their character or work ethic. But all of them still have a pretty big upside, with Nene having probably the most, followed by Gooden and then Wilcox. All of them might possibly be available for the right package. We may have to part with Jimmy Jax to land one of them, but I think that is acceptable at this stage because of our needs.

I also think each of these guys would be a fine compliment to the team and Amare when he returns. If paying them becomes a problem, we could always considering moving KT in the future.

 

[Arizona's Finest]

No use crying over spilt milk, but it sure would be nice to have JJ as our primary offensive weapon right now. He could do a lot of the things that we are missing at the moment.

I'm happy about the addition of James Jones. Once again we have shown our ability at picking quality swings and guards on their way up. If only we had the same propensity for landing up and coming bigs. Amare is one of the few quality bigs that we've been able to land through draft or FA. Dice was the other in recent history, and we all know how well that turned out.

Three bigs that I am interested in pursuing are: Chris Wilcox, Nene, and Drew Gooden. Each one of them brings risks: all of them are probably going to want a big payday, although none of them have earned one thus far. All of them have questions either about their character or work ethic. But all of them still have a pretty big upside, with Nene having probably the most, followed by Gooden and then Wilcox. All of them might possibly be available for the right package. We may have to part with Jimmy Jax to land one of them, but I think that is acceptable at this stage because of our needs.

I also think each of these guys would be a fine compliment to the team and Amare when he returns. If paying them becomes a problem, we could always considering moving KT in the future.

Interesting points...I agree about JJ for sure but i think Wilcox and Nene would be nice additions if the impending UFA was enough cause to not have to overpay....Jim Jackson would be ideal for the Nuggets IMO...

 

[thegrahamcrackr]

Gooden won't be traded until at least when Varejo comes back. They are too thin up front. At that point, I don't think he is obtainable unless a team is willing to give up a lot for him.

We have absolutely no chance of getting Nene. Denver will want a starting caliber SG and a backup big in return.

 

[goldseraph]

Preseason game tonight vs Jazz


Jones with 18 again, Raja Bell with 20

thats 18, 19, 18 for Jones

 

[PhxGametime]

I haven't looked at his other stats yet but I have been impressed and I've seen him in only 2 games against Suns... I liked him in College though. Anywho, I really liked the Diaw, Jones, (and somewhere down the line) House pickups but Bell has been suprising ME... I did see him make a lot of jumpers against the Suns, I should've known with Nash that he'd get his shots but I had figured he'd be the 5th option. Without Stoudemire, he may be 3rd on any given night...


I would like to see Barbosa get some minutes though, his penetration could help a lot... I will be checking stats soon and at least now that Bell is showing he is capable, I'd like to see Barbosa get some minutes in Pre-Season and see if the two could play alongside (2-3) - I do believe they'll get time in the backcourt but I want to see how they do at 2-3 positions (wings together).


Marion will pick up his game in Season and if he's not asked to be go-to scorer, he will pick up where he left off... I'm worried about back-to-backs but the team should be fine and with the TE can improve to at least get a Playoff slot.

 

[SweetD]

I watch the whole scrimmage game on suns.com. Jones is a very good shoot and he reminds me of JJ about 2 years ago. He needs to get stronger and develop a back to the basket game. I can see the potential and he will be a very good player with Nash. I see him more as a 2 than a 3 since his game is primarily out side the key.