’Tweener’ Jones Looking for Niche
By Jerry Brown
East Valley Tribune
Oct. 22, 2006
Jones
When it comes to both the Phoenix Suns’ playing rotation and its ever expanding payroll, James Jones is the perfect definition of a “tweener.” At 6-foot-8 and 220 pounds, he has the length and shooting touch to be successful on the perimeter and the size and basketball IQ to be competitive along the baseline — where he spent all his time in high school and college.
Although he started 24 games last year, Jones is asked to provide depth, scoring, ball movement and, after proving he was capable during last year’s playoff run, some rebounding, shotblocking and defense.
And as one of the few Phoenix players without either a huge contract or a minimum salary ($2.65 million), Jones can be viewed as both a bargain and a potential bargaining chip if the Suns feel the need to reallocate funds in the direction of the big guns.
On and off the floor, Jones understands his place and knows that his work ethic and commitment will only help him, no matter what lies down the road. He loves playing for the Suns and was glad trade rumors that included his name this summer (the long-discussed Charlotte deal involving Melvin Ely) proved to be just that.
“The NBA has more than 400 players. Every team is going to have stars and outstanding talent,” Jones said. “As a second-round pick (49th overall in 2003), you’re just looking for the best way to fill in, find a specialty and a team that has a need for what you do.
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“The longer you play in this league, you see more guys getting older, and getting pushed out because their one dimension isn’t good enough anymore. Unless you’re the best shooter or defender around, you have to pull something else out of your hat or you’re going to fall by the wayside.”
After two largely wasted seasons in Indiana, Jones felt like a 25-year-old rookie with the Suns last season — groping for the best way to fit in and unprepared for Phoenix’s breakneck style. His play faded toward the end of the season when both his jump shot and his confidence level came up short.
But after dedicating himself to a strength program over the summer — focusing on his lower body — the shot has returned and Jones has added improved defense that he showed in flashes during the playoffs.
“He’s playing great. I’m very impressed,” Suns coach Mike D’Antoni said. “He has more confidence, you can see it in the way he plays. He’s a very smart player — one of our best team defenders — and when he makes shots on top of that, he’s really good.
“He’s more comfortable with us and I know I’m more comfortable with him.”
Jones knows his shooting got him a foot in the NBA door.
“If not for that, I would be in Europe somewhere,” he said. “A reputation of being a shooter allows you space to put the ball on the floor and a chance to expand your game. That’s my goal. You can call me a second-year player. I look at last year as a decent rookie season. That’s when it really started for me.”
Jones will be pushed. The Suns acquired Jumaine Jones — a second 6-8 swingman with a shooting touch and credentials as a defender — and there is a chance only one will be in the nine-man playing rotation at a time. James Jones is due almost $3 million next season, when the Suns’ payroll will easily clear the NBA’s luxury tax threshold.
“Hey, Shaquille O’Neal was traded. I’ve been traded before,” James Jones said. “I love it here, everything about it, but I’m not looking over my shoulder. My job is to play, make myself useful and a reason why we’re successful.”
