Still Like The Dahntay Jones Deal???

[FortWayneFlash]

What do people here think of the Dahntay Jones deal? Seems like a lot of cheddar for his skills.

[Miller4ever]

I'd say he is worth his contract. Earlier in the year, he exceeded it. Now that Dunleavy's back and Rush is playing better, Dahntay's not being used for his money, but in my starting lineup I'd like to see him with Rush and Granger with Roy up top, and Watson at point. Dunleavy and Murphy give us extra firepower off the bench as 6th and 7th men. Dunleavy's not 100%. That would make our wings disrespected, but it didn't stop Dahntay from dropping 15 points per game when he was starting.

[Kuq_e_Zi91]

It wasn't a bad signing from a financial standpoint because the contract is movable if need be. I'm just personally not a fan of his game.

He gets his points, but I don't like how he gets them. He has his mind made up on shooting/driving whenever he gets the ball. The worst thing about it is everyone in the arena, including the opposing team, can tell what he's about to do. He's way too predictable.

I think his defense is overrated. Numerous times last game, I saw him completely lose his man. He's too small to guard the bigger 2 guards and 3s. Basically, he excels at one thing - what he did to CP3 in that NO/Den series - guarding smaller point guards he can bully around.

And another important factor, I think he's had a negative impact on the chemistry. We've seen Granger get in his face for taking a terrible, selfish shot and Granger's latest comments about playing selfishly just scream D Jones to me. I think since this team doesn't really have a vocal leader, Dahntay tried to be that voice and the team hasn't responded favorably and it's resulted in him and Danny sort of locking horns.

I'd still start him, though. My preferred lineup is Price at point, Dahntay and Rush on the wings, Danny as the stretch forward and Hibbert in the post.

[Gremz]

I still think he's worth is. Take for example the game where he was DNP Coache's Decision. He was the first off the bench cheerinf the team on at every opportunity. His play brings the same dedication each game.

From the bench perspective, he brings another dimension for the offense. At times he seems the only aggressive guy on the court, looking to take on three defenders to get to the rim. Defensively, he's a pest, and while he's been picking up fouls lately he's really been making opposing wings work harder than usual for their points.

He's a little out of rhythm and his shot just isn't falling of late, but he's a great guy to have aroound this team. No question.

[DWCP2]

He was paid to be the teams bench defensive presence off the bench. His defense alone is worth his contract. Grant it, he's not going to be much more then the 8th man off the bench, but good quality role players willing to accept their roles in this are rare finds in this league.

[PR07]

Yeah, I'd still say he's worth it. He's pretty good defensively and his offense is better than I thought it would be.

[mizzoupacers]

I like his contract a lot better than T.J. Ford's.

Jones's contract, to me, doesn't make a whole lot of sense for a team like the Pacers that is going nowhere without developing its younger talent. But it's not a handicap either.

[Dunthreevy]

His contract is completely reasonable. I have never known why people were bitching about it in the first place. It's NOT a large contract. It's 3 mill per, for 4 years. That's about as cheap as it gets for a solid bench player who can start if need be. In regards to him playing selfish, I've been at every game this season and seen all but a few road games on tv, and I just don't see "selfish" and Dahntay Jones going in the same discussion. As much as we all complain about players camping out and chucking 3's, Dahntay is pretty much the only player on the team who actually makes an attempt to drive to the basket and draw fouls. He also doesn't typically take contested or forced shots.

As for him trying to be the vocal leader, at least he's TRYING to assume that role. Lord knows we don't have anyone else on the team stepping up and being that presence, even though they're being paid to do so *cough Danny Granger cough*.

[Kuq_e_Zi91]

You don't have to camp out and chuck 3s to be selfish. Selfish, to me, is also shutting out your teammates, putting your head down and forcing your way to the hoop too often. Don't get me wrong, I love players who are aggressive and attack the hoop, but very few are productive enough to force the issue on a regular basis.

It may come as a surprise, but for as much as Dahntay attacks the hoop, he only makes 3 free throws a game. His ast per game is 2.3, his turnovers? 2.0 Including 17 total offensive fouls. Almost double the next highest amount, which is Roy at 9. His passer rating, which takes into account total assists and turnovers off bad passes is one of the worst on the team. To put it into perspective, his total bad passes amount is about on par with TJ Ford. It's that bad.

As a teammate, wouldn't you get frustrated at someone who constantly puts his head down and just unsuccessfully tries to run over people while the system calls for motion and constant ball movement?

As an example, does anyone remember one instance where JOB was ejected earlier, Lester Connor was the coach, and he subbed Dahntay out of the game because he purposely looked for his own shot, when Lester was on the sidelines screaming "Work it around!"?

I don't mind that he's trying to be the vocal leader, but I think it's also important to realize when your teammates aren't responding to you, you shouldn't force it on them, especially when you're not doing so hot yourself. That'll only lead to more problems and tension. Also, the knock on Danny is something Reggie was familiar with. How many times did you see Reggie rip into teammates? Some players just don't have it in them, but they can still lead by example.

[Grang33r]

Hoopsworld.com on the best deals in basketball.... and guess who's on the list?

Dahntay Jones, Indiana Pacers, $2.5M – After a remarkable start to the season, Jones has slowed down recently but remains one of the best bargains in the NBA this season. A gritty defensive player (some might say dirty), the seventh-year pro out of Duke has come into his own as an offensive player, averaging 11.7 points per game this season (his previous career-high was 7.5 in 2006-07). Jones is also averaging career-highs in rebounds (3.3 per game), assists (2.3), steals (.6) and blocked shots (.7). His expanding all-around game has this 6-6 swingman earning every penny he is paid, and more.

Link- http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=15098