What if Dwayne Jones proves to be better than Rob Lopez?

[MaryvalesFinest]

Before I start this thread I'd like to apologize for the Jarron Collins thread I created a few days ago, this guy looks like a completely different player than he was on the Jazz and I admit I was wrong so onto this thread...

Some of you guys can laugh all you want but this doesn't seem to crazy actually. While some people might be happy with Rob's 11 points and 6 rebounds per game as a starter...I'm not impressed. Being over 7 foot and averaging only 6 rebounds per game isn't that good...

Anyway while some people might consider this Dwayne Jones character to be bench fodder insurance, don't think so fast...I was just reading that the contract they were going to offer him included a team option for next year, so this might be a long term thing...

Anyway let's look at the facts, Dwayne Jones has insane rebounding numbers. Almost crazy if you ask me, 16 rebounds per game doesn't happen on accident. Seriously if Rob Lopez was sent to the D-league, someone please tell me with a straight face he would average 16 rebounds over 48 games?

Both are known defenders but D-Wayne is more athletic, both are poor offensive players but I would say Jones is the better ball handler. So it comes down to rebounding...Give this D-Wayne jones about 36 minutes at starting center and he will be pulling down over 10 rebounds per game.

I think D-Wayne's rebounding has him a huge advantage over Rob Lopez, now can someone seriously present an argument on why you think Rob Lopez should be starting over D-Wayne Jones?

[MaryvalesFinest]

On second though I would give D-Wayne the advantage on offense, averaging 17 ppg nontheless even if it's in the D-league isn't to shabby...

[the_warden]

too predictable

[Qwigglez]

Before I start this thread I'd like to apologize for the Jarron Collins thread I created a few days ago, this guy looks like a completely different player than he was on the Jazz and I admit I was wrong so onto this thread...

Some of you guys can laugh all you want but this doesn't seem to crazy actually. While some people might be happy with Rob's 11 points and 6 rebounds per game as a starter...I'm not impressed. Being over 7 foot and averaging only 6 rebounds per game isn't that good...

Anyway while some people might consider this Dwayne Jones character to be bench fodder insurance, don't think so fast...I was just reading that the contract they were going to offer him included a team option for next year, so this might be a long term thing...

Anyway let's look at the facts, Dwayne Jones has insane rebounding numbers. Almost crazy if you ask me, 16 rebounds per game doesn't happen on accident. Seriously if Rob Lopez was sent to the D-league, someone please tell me with a straight face he would average 16 rebounds over 48 games?

Both are known defenders but D-Wayne is more athletic, both are poor offensive players but I would say Jones is the better ball handler. So it comes down to rebounding...Give this D-Wayne jones about 36 minutes at starting center and he will be pulling down over 10 rebounds per game.

I think D-Wayne's rebounding has him a huge advantage over Rob Lopez, now can someone seriously present an argument on why you think Rob Lopez should be starting over D-Wayne Jones?

Rob Lopez would average 20 rebounds if he was in the D-League.
Obviously I don't want to hype Dwayne Jones since he hasn't played a single game, and quite frankly you starting this thread will only make us overrate this guy once he does get any playing time like everyone did with Jarron Collins.
The only thing I'm hoping for is Jones to have the effort, hustle, and grittiness when he goes out there for us. If so, I can definitely see us keeping him for next year. Hard work will get you far on this team.

[ATTL]

Doubt it, but if he can be a defensive version of Tolliver from the Warriors, I'd be pretty stoked.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VWZj6NpA ... re=related

Thats the best offensive display I could find of him online

http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Dwayne-Jones-438/

Recent and distant past scouting report and outlook on him

[MaryvalesFinest]

Rob Lopez would average 20 rebounds if he was in the D-League.

I would have to disagree, even in college and the summer league he was a poor rebounder and I doubt that would change with the D-league considering the talent is better than in college (talking about players that arn't in the NBA draft)

[MaryvalesFinest]

Doubt it, but if he can be a defensive version of Tolliver from the Warriors, I'd be pretty stoked.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VWZj6NpA ... re=related

Thats the best offensive display I could find of him online

http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Dwayne-Jones-438/

Recent and distant past scouting report and outlook on him

He's known as a solid defender, he seems like a completely different player than Tolliver though. His main game is in the paint where he grabs rebounds and scores.

[DirtyDez]

Doubt it, but if he can be a defensive version of Tolliver from the Warriors, I'd be pretty stoked.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VWZj6NpA ... re=related

Thats the best offensive display I could find of him online

http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Dwayne-Jones-438/

Recent and distant past scouting report and outlook on him

The only thing i learned from that video is the Toro has a mean crip-walk... As for Lopez c'mon he can only get better. Might not be very coordinated right now but he's our 'center of the future'. I agree that Jones>Collins.

[lilfishi22]

Rolo has always been "marketed" as a defensive center not a rebounding center. His value on the court is affecting shots, blocking shots and just being an intimidator.

Dwayne Jones is just a flat out rebounder. I understand 12-13 rpg in the D-League but like you said, 16rpg over 40 something games is not an accident. So as long as he boxes out, grab boards and RUN then he'll have value on our team.

[harshey1388]

whats the deal with downplaying the players that have already showed their value to the team? honestly bashing on Nash, Lou and now robin. everyone was on robins cahonies when he had that break out game against the lakers and now his value is being tested? look at our record since he has been starting center... yes he hasnt had high rebounding numbers but u know who has? AMARE cuz robin plays D down in the post so amare can get boards. and even if that wasnt the case he has helped the team tremendously! this new kid looks promising but i wont be so quick to fantasize.

lastly MVF to answer ur BIG question... what if... what if he does? what if nothing haha if he proves to be better than rob then yay good for the suns. haha

[ma_falaa_50]

doubt it. dwayne jones is rebounder. the suns need an interior presence that exceeds just rebounding.

[dantian]

too much to kill, guys?

no worry, jones is not good enough to challenge Lopez's position. I wish we had two of Lopez or better though. So, what's the issue about again?

[MarJJMar]

Ehhh Robin Lopez averages about 16.5/9.6 as a starter per 36 minutes. Sharing the frontcourt with Amare that is very impressive for a 7 footer in his 2nd year with almost no playing time before being inserted as a starter.

Many games he had 10+/3+ first quarters to set the tone.

We are +4 in rebound advantage with him in the starting lineup, without him we get outrebounded.

We allowed about 6 or so points per game less with him starting.

Clearly he will be one of the very best centers in the league short term. If Amare left in the offseason his stats will explode.

That being said if Dwayne Jones unlikelyas it is proves to be as good or better than Robin, we will just exercise the option to keep him for next year and have the best center rotation in the league, simple. We don't have a 2nd center anyway.

[Jimmy76]

if Dwayne Jones ends up better than Lopez then I think we can all just jump around laughing giddily at our insane luck

[le crapaud]

Well...

31 jan @ Houston : rebound margin Phx 55-46 houston : +9 W

1 feb @ NO : 44-38 : +6 W
3 feb @ den : 47-39 : +8 W
5 feb @ sac : 44-42 : +2 W
10 feb vs por : 35-35 : 0 L
16 feb @ mem : 50-46 : +4 W
17 feb @ dal : 44-45 : -1 L
19 feb vs atl : 50-36 : +14 W
21 feb vs sac : 49-36 : +13 W
23 feb @ okc : 45-35 : +10 W
24 feb vs phi : 40-40 : 0 W
26 feb vs lac : 40-34 : +6 W
28 feb @ sa : 39-41 : -2 L

1 mar vs den : 45-37 : +8 W
3 mar @ lac : 50-30 : +20 W
4 mar vs uta : 38-43 : -5 L
6 mar vs ind : 58-44 : +14 W
12 mar vs lal : 43-40 : +3 L
14 mar vs no : 38-41 : -3 W
16 mar vs min : 47-37 : 10 W
19 mar vs uta : 44-48 : -4 W
21 mar vs por : 48-45 : +3 W
22 mar @ gs : 50-35 : +15 W
26 mar vs ny : 56-38 : +18 W


Since Lopez is a starter it's 19 wins for 5 losses with probably the best team chemistry in all season. It's also +148 team rebounds (148/24 games = 6.17 avg reb margin).

So I get your point Maryvale, Lopez numbers are not huge but you have to put them in team perspective. I mean, who cares if Jones is averaging 10+ rebound per game and Suns can't get a win. I'm glad we sign him for insurance, he is intringuing but playing without Lopez do hurt us a lot.

[Mujahydeen]

If Dwayne can rebound, defend a little, and finish around the rim after Nash creates for him (which Collins can't do) he can have pretty good impact on this team. Collins is terrible and you can't rely too heavily on Frye so Dwayne Jones has to be our hero.

[DBrimstone]

Ehhh Robin Lopez averages about 16.5/9.6 as a starter per 36 minutes. Sharing the frontcourt with Amare that is very impressive for a 7 footer in his 2nd year with almost no playing time before being inserted as a starter.

Many games he had 10+/3+ first quarters to set the tone.

We are +4 in rebound advantage with him in the starting lineup, without him we get outrebounded.

We allowed about 6 or so points per game less with him starting.

Clearly he will be one of the very best centers in the league short term. If Amare left in the offseason his stats will explode.

That being said if Dwayne Jones unlikelyas it is proves to be as good or better than Robin, we will just exercise the option to keep him for next year and have the best center rotation in the league, simple. We don't have a 2nd center anyway.

When he plays 36 minutes, he puts up about 16-10 too so it's not just a bunch of BS. And he's barely 22 and in his 2nd year of the league. So a D-Leaguer who the Cav's let go is probably not gonna be anything special. Good maybe. A capable backup who can play 15 to 20 minutes, possibly. Better than Rolo? Not likely

[impulsenine]

Fact is that it's very hard to tell how D-Leaguers do in the NBA unless they either clearly suck or average a quadruple double.

Jones' biggest problem, I think, is going to be adjusting to playing with the Suns. He's never had a practice, never studied the sets, rotations, gang rebounding strategies, etc.

We'll find out soon enough.

[asudevil]

lol....seriously. if Jones averages more than 3 boards per for the rest of the season i'll eat my words. but chances are he'll see as much time as Swift did last season.

be prepared to go 0-2 on your threads sir

and just for reference Hasheem Thabeet averaged 14pts and 11 boards in the d-league. he was the #2 pick....and look what he's done in the NBA

[RaisingArizona]