Dahntay Jones Agrees to 4 year deal with Pacers

[Granger da OG]

Bird is going to fool around and put together a team that only gives up 90ppg. I like it.

[PR07]

Dahntay Jones is actually only 28, FYI...so losing his athleticism won't really be an issue at all unless he blows out a knee or something, which could happen to anyone.

Andersen is guaranteed $21.5 million with incentives that could push the deal up to $26 million. Reality is that Andersen is on one hell of a contract for a 3rd bigman on a conference finals team that has proven to be as effective as he has been. Check out what he did last season, when compared to Gortat who just signed a $32.5 million deal. Overall bigmen get paid more then end of the bench guards, and Andersen at just over $4 million a year is a steal, when compared to Jones at just under $3 million per year. While the length on Andersen's deal is bad he is underpaid for the 1st 3 years, and even if he declines in the end there is always a market for $4.8 million expiring contracts.

It's funny how a few Nugget fans mentioned how Jones will lose athleticism by the end of his deal, yet Chris Anderson is 31 and relies purely on athleticism. It could end up being a good deal, or it could end up being horrible. It depends on if Anderson will keep working hard and keeps his nose clean. I don't think anyone can argue that it's not a much riskier contract than the one the Pacers just handed out to Jones.

[fienX420]

To be honest, I wasn't really aware of some of the issues regarding Dahntay Jones until the Denver fans posted. But it looks like their assessments are fairly accurate. His plus/minus is very concerning. He seems like he'll be a great practice player. But I thought Bird would stick to his word and wait awhile before signing anybody so we could get players dirt cheap. Obviously, we believed other teams were pursuing Jones and we had to offer more money to get him here. I really liked Jones coming out of Duke (pretty much the only guy I liked coming out of Duke besides McRoberts), but I'm not sure he's really panned out in the league. Still, there's something about the guy that George Karl and Larry Bird see that makes him worthwhile. As with any player that puts on a Pacers uniform, I'll be hoping for the best. Maybe coach can bring him out of his shell offensively a bit. Also, I really like the way we are building a 'bad boys' group again like we started having when Artest was here. Hansbrough and Jones really flavor our team with some attitude that will carry over to our other players and that other teams' players are going to hate going up against. And personally, that's something I just love to see.

[IndieRuso420]

It's pushing a little expensive but he should fit right in being a 7th or 8th man type, and maybe teach our younger guys a thing a to about fighting for "your spot" in the NBA.

[Granger da OG]

I think the Denver fans are hilarious saying the Jones cant play any D. So his replacement could very well be K. Rush (which we have seen before) - Denver hasnt seen bad D til they see Kareem.

[PR07]

This team needed to get a lot tougher, Bird has brought in two guys who embody it. Paying around 2.5-3 million for a solid defensive backup swingman is not a bad deal at all, especially when he's only 28. This guy started on maybe the fourth or 5th best team in the league last season...for one reason alone, DEFENSE. The Pacers' defense was awful last season, and it looks like they're trying to take some steps to fix it.

[magee]

Good signing, but my only concern for the Pacers is PT with Rush. How often are they going to play next to each other. While Jones will start, will he finish games? His D is what got him this contract, but, even this highly underrated offense, the Pacers will be playing 4-on-5. He's not a good set shooter and his handle is only attack mode. He doesn't have a triple-threat style game. Decent signing, but bad considering who they traded away Jerryd Bayless for.

[Dunthreevy]

Good signing, but my only concern for the Pacers is PT with Rush. How often are they going to play next to each other. While Jones will start, will he finish games? His D is what got him this contract, but, even this highly underrated offense, the Pacers will be playing 4-on-5. He's not a good set shooter and his handle is only attack mode. He doesn't have a triple-threat style game. Decent signing, but bad considering who they traded away Jerryd Bayless for.

Jones won't start. Brandon Rush is our starting SG.

[PR07]

We've been able to hide Foster offensively for the past decade. We should be fine, haha.

[bravesatl]

i have to agree with the nuggets fans and a couple pacers fans that arent too impressed with this deal....4 years? wow thats the worst part about it....we needed a backup wing but jones sure as hell wouldnt be my pick....

the times i watched him last year, all the playoffs and some reg season games, he wasnt that great on defense, all he did was piss off whoever he was guarding....he was dreadful on offense, and he's a complete headcase....god knows we dont need anymore of that....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z6BWYMjTs3c&feature=fvst

dont like it, not looking forward to seeing him in a pacers uni....

[grewich]

We've been able to hide Foster offensively for the past decade. We should be fine, haha.

ha!

im not too crazy about this signing either, however hes probably as good as we could get(considering our needs + our budget)

id rather have jones' contract than the "birdman"

*cross your fingers that McRoberts could be a slightly less tattoo-ed birdman

[Phonzie20]

Funny part about stuff like this, is that had Jones re-signed with Denver for the same contract most of these Nuggets fans would be excited about having him back. BUT since he left the team, now they're trying to justify in their heads why they're ok with him leaving the team.

You completely missed the mark here.

[basketballwacko2]

Good signing, but my only concern for the Pacers is PT with Rush. How often are they going to play next to each other. While Jones will start, will he finish games? His D is what got him this contract, but, even this highly underrated offense, the Pacers will be playing 4-on-5. He's not a good set shooter and his handle is only attack mode. He doesn't have a triple-threat style game. Decent signing, but bad considering who they traded away Jerryd Bayless for.

I think it's obvious that the Pacers screwed the Blazers in that Rush/Jack/McBob for Bayless/Ike deal! Now if we don't get Jack signed it won't look as good but I'm thinking Bayless was just massively over rated and not ready to be in the NBA. Rush is gonna be really good! What has Portland got left to show for Ike? Pretty clear who got the better deal.

[freeman]

Though i'm not that much hyped up with this signing, i think it's a good decision on Larry's part.
Dahntay Jones would fill up some athleticism and perimeter defense we need. He can probably play some 3, but not on a full-time basis, and depending on the match-ups. His athleticism can cover up his lack of height in defending bigger guys.
Offensively, we need a slasher. Someone who can cut and challenge the inside defense of the opposing teams. That's what Jones can bring into this team. Though he's not more of a shooter like Marquis, he's got better penetration and finishing abilities. Marquis relies so much on soft reverse lay-ups and acrobatic shots (which are very blockable), Jones would rather take it strong and deliver a facial.
Though i know Jones is not a known offensive player, i think he could greatly contribute on offense. He'll fit in very well with our perimeter-oriented guys like Rush and Dunleavy. Jones would give us another option in case Rush and Dunleavy gets heavy defenses on them at the perimeter.
Defensively, we could get good use for his athleticism. He's got nice perimeter defense and good timing too.
Overall, i do think he's a valuable addition.
BUT BUT BUT...
what makes me shy away from being the most excited guy in the planet is that Jones is a natural sg. I was thinking Carney could be a better fit since he's got the same level of athleticism as Jones, he's taller, and plays sg/sf. We obviously need a back-up to Granger. We're too thin at the 3, and Dunleavy's return could clog the sg spot.
This signing might mean that McBob could be our back-up sf next season. I don't think Larry wants to bring back McBob to play pf, and definitely not a back-up center.

[Wizop]

we've only got 11 guys on the roster so I'm not at all concerned that Jones is better at 2 than 3. we'll probably sign another guy that is just the reverse.

as for the plus/minus, they can be misleading particularly when you platoon. sometimes the stat reflects who you were playing with and not your own contribution.

[fienX420]

Well, Jones played a lot with the starters, since he was a starter and only got 18 minutes a game - so I don't think that was an issue regarding the plus/minus. Anyway, hopefully he's better here. And if we were looking to spend money, I'm glad we didn't give it to Shannon Brown. I'm much happier throwing Dahntay at some elite scorers and setting them on kilter.

[fienX420]

Wow... you know, the more and more I look at Dahntay Jones' statistics, well, he sucks. There is like no evidence to suggest that he's is not terrible on offense and defense. Like a lot of other people, I had been judging him on his reputation. But it's a reputation that is not founded. Denver was at their worst defensively with him on the floor. And offensively. I really don't get why Karl was even playing this guy. By the numbers, Denver really should be due for a huge spike without him taking any minutes from the more productive guys on their roster. I always liked him when I saw him, but the numbers don't lie. Yikes and argh.