Terrence Jones, future starting PF?

[SF_Warriors]

He may not be a starting caliber PF on any other NBA team, but TJ looks like a great complement to Dwight.
versatile defensively, efficient offensively, and he is a legit 6'9. He is not too undersized if at all.

[Nebula1]

Happy belated BDAY to TJONES...

http://www.sbnation.com/nba/2014/1/8/5270152/terrence-jones-houston-rockets-nba-2013

How Terrence Jones' emergence changes Houston's immediate plans

By Eddie Maisonet@edthesportsfan on Jan 8 2014, 11:57a


The Houston Rockets are a really good basketball team. They're young, they've got a stockpile of assets, and many believe they are one or two more moves away from being a real contender for a NBA championship. Heck, some believe, as presently constructed, they could win a title.

Yet, for the last couple of months, the discussion around NBA circles has been the potential trade involving talented-but-marginalized center Omer Asik and who the Rockets could possibly haul back in return. A stretch 4, perhaps, that could play alongside Dwight Howard? Players such as Ryan Anderson of the New Orleans Pelicans and Ersan Ilyasova of the Milwaukee Bucks seemed like possible acquisition targets for the Rockets, but Daryl Morey has not been able to acquire another piece for Asik this far.

Perhaps that's because Kevin McHale is finding gold with the person he's currently rolling the dice with at power forward. His name is Terrence Jones, and so far, he's been a perfect fit for everything the Rockets need. Given his emergence, the Rockets' needs have changed. Here's why.

He's sorta like Lamar Odom

There are players that have come into the league with a similar build and skill-level as Lamar Odom, but usually folks begin to cringe when a comparison is made. Players like Tim Thomas, Anthony Randolph and Earl Clark. Long, lanky forwards who are capable of handling the ball and playing on the perimeter always provide intrigue, but rarely do any of them prove to be as productive as we had dreamed.

Jones isn't like the failed projects mentioned above. The second-year man is proving that he's actually capable of holding his own as a defender and offensive threat playing alongside Howard. He's a willing and still-developing three-point shooter, and all McHale can ask from Jones at this point is to be willing to shoot. Jones is shooting only 31 percent, sure, but given that he's still a threat, this makes life easier for Howard and James Harden.

Also like Odom, Jones is great in running the lane in transition, as he has solid hands and he's skilled with the ball. Plus, he's able to beat defenders off the dribble, which is a skill almost everyone on the Rockets seem to possess outside of Howard.

At age 22, I'd argue Jones is performing better than Odom at that age. Odom shot 19 percent from 3-point range while putting up 13 and six in 34 minutes/game at that age. Getting 10 points and seven boards a game from a still-developing player has to keep Morey smiling at night.

So if power forward isn't a need, what is? Maybe it's time to trade for a real point guard.

The Rockets acknowledged this by reportedly sending feelers to the

Brooklyn Nets a few weeks ago. A potential Deron Williams for Omer Asik and Jeremy Lin was put on the Nets' table. The Nets balked at the trade, but seeing Houston be that aggressive for a player like Williams highlights some of the issues they have, namely shooting, efficiency, and leadership.

It's easily explainable to see how the Houston Rockets could be the second-worst free throw shooting team in the NBA (hello, Dwight Howard) while also being the second-best shooting team on all two-point shots (hello, Dwight Howard again). But did you know that the Rockets are currently 21st in the NBA in three-point shooting, despite their style of play and all their offensive threats? A point guard like Deron Williams could help this out significantly, as his ability to penetrate and dish along with his own shooting prowess would make Houston's offense even scarier. Jeremy Lin, Patrick Beverly and Aaron Brooks are serviceable players, but all have somewhat-limited ceilings. I'm not sure Deron is the man to rescue the situation either, but I can understand why Houston's point guard situation might make Morey anxious.

When things are going well for the Rockets, they can play beautifully. However, when they struggle, they REALLY struggle. There's constant pouting, pointing at each other, and sometimes there's general disgust amongst themselves. This is where having a deferential point guard can really help. Feeding the ball to Howard and Harden is always a good start. Finding the openings to get the role players open shots can boost morale tenfold.

Step one is acquiring top talent, and Morey certainly has. Morey's second job, though, will be to figure out how to make these guys mesh. Maybe there needs to be some addition by subtraction. Maybe point guard is the upgrade they need? Maybe it's something else. Who knows.

All I know is that Terrence Jones is pretty good, the Rockets can't play a lick of defense and they remain incredibly inconsistent. Morey still has some moves left to make.

Mid-week Happy Hour drink recommendation: Bourbon on the rocks. I went to the Maker's Mark Lounge in Louisville one time years ago and an older gentleman with a phenomenal beard said, "what'll you have?" I stammered. Mostly because his beard was magical, and he asked me in a way that almost challenged my manhood. Before I could answer, he said, "Don't worry, I gotcha."

The man proceeded to give me a hefty pour of Maker's Mark on the rocks. He then took a water dobber and dropped 2 drops of water in my drink. "Sniff and sip," he bellowed. I did as I was told. It was delicious. The sweet sting countered with the coldness of the drink brightened my day. I hope you find something similar that will brighten your day, as 2014 is now here.

[tonman]

He may not be a starting caliber PF on any other NBA team, but TJ looks like a great complement to Dwight.
versatile defensively, efficient offensively, and he is a legit 6'9. He is not too undersized if at all.

let's be realistic. TJ would be a good complement to most NBA centers with a solid post game. He's active, he's got some range, he runs the floor. the issue for the Rockets is that they do not have any other post presence besides a hit and miss Dwight Howard. you take Howard out and even if you have TJ in, you have really no low post presence.

if you bring in a backup who has some post abilities who can play both the PF and the C position, then I think TJ is a perfect fit for Houston. if you keep more "stretch 4's" like Casspi/DMo and even if/with Asik/Smith, there's no real post presence from the Bench, TJ is "replaceable" meaning there's not going to be much difference between playing him and playing Casspi. if Casspi is not available at the 4 or plays mainly the 3 and with a PF backup post player, you now have versatility in the frontline and TJ becomes a valuable piece. until then, TJ playing well is a good sign but if he is traded for some reason or another, it won't be a major issue for the Rockets.

note, i'd prefer the Rockets hang on to good assets like TJ but his play might help facilitate a big trade.

[Vator]

Copied from PolarBear on Clutchfans:

Last 13 Games - 7 Double Doubles

15.9 PPG
10.6 RPG
2.2 BPG

.543 Shooting

Last 5 Games - 4 Double Doubles

21.6 PPG
12.2 RPG
3.0 BPG

.581 Shooting

[moofs]

Copied from PolarBear on Clutchfans:

Last 13 Games - 7 Double Doubles

15.9 PPG
10.6 RPG
2.2 BPG

.543 Shooting

Last 5 Games - 4 Double Doubles

21.6 PPG
12.2 RPG
3.0 BPG

.581 Shooting

He's basically had, what, 2 really decent stretches of about 8 games and the current great stretch of 5 games? Not too bad to have 21 good games out of 39 as effectively a rookie.

[Vator]

He's basically had, what, 2 really decent stretches of about 8 games and the current great stretch of 5 games? Not too bad to have 21 good games out of 39 as effectively a rookie.

Or you can also look at it like this...he just might be performing like the 3rd best player on this team right now! Eek!!! Who mad? Yes, there are plenty of other advanced stats out there, but Jones is 3rd on the team in PER and Win Shares/48 and his offensive rating is the highest on the whole team. Is that consistent enough for you? Obviously we don't have RAPM to look at right now, but all signs point to Jones performing like either the 3rd or 4th best player on the team and possibly only behind 2 max contract players in just his 2nd season while turning 22 a week or two ago.

PER
Howard - 21.6
Harden - 21.4
Jones - 19.0
Parsons - 16.2
Lin - 14.9
Smith - 14.1
Casspi - 13.9
Brooks - 13.0
Beverley - 12.1
Asik - 10.6
D. Mo - 9.9
Garcia - 9.5

WS/48
Harden - .180
Howard - .168
Jones - .164
Parsons - .136
Smith - .123
Lin - .108
Beverley - .103
Casspi - .103
Brooks - .087
Asik - .082
Garcia - .072
D. Mo - .045

[bws94]

He may not be a starting caliber PF on any other NBA team, but TJ looks like a great complement to Dwight.
versatile defensively, efficient offensively, and he is a legit 6'9. He is not too undersized if at all.

let's be realistic. TJ would be a good complement to most NBA centers with a solid post game. He's active, he's got some range, he runs the floor. the issue for the Rockets is that they do not have any other post presence besides a hit and miss Dwight Howard. you take Howard out and even if you have TJ in, you have really no low post presence.

if you bring in a backup who has some post abilities who can play both the PF and the C position, then I think TJ is a perfect fit for Houston. if you keep more "stretch 4's" like Casspi/DMo and even if/with Asik/Smith, there's no real post presence from the Bench, TJ is "replaceable" meaning there's not going to be much difference between playing him and playing Casspi. if Casspi is not available at the 4 or plays mainly the 3 and with a PF backup post player, you now have versatility in the frontline and TJ becomes a valuable piece. until then, TJ playing well is a good sign but if he is traded for some reason or another, it won't be a major issue for the Rockets.

note, i'd prefer the Rockets hang on to good assets like TJ but his play might help facilitate a big trade.

DMo is an excellent post player, better post player than Howard is. DMo has a lot of holes in his game however.

[ChokeFasncists]

Serge Ibaka, you are next!

Not there yet...

[Vator]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ztFuwim2DTM#t=202[/youtube]

[bws94]

Many of Jones baskets came from good team play though he made a few shots he created included the full length drive as well as some post ups and a few jumpers and he got fouled and went to the line. Harden to Jones on a drive lob, Lin to Jones on drive, Brooks lob to Jones, Brooks bounce pass to Jones, a few baskets later a put back off a Harden miss on a drive and Lin unselfishly on a drive to Jones starting with a Harden steal (Harden dedicated himself to D in this game). I love the spirit of a team finding the big man, then recognizing he's having a big game and looking for him. I hope they do that more. Congrats to TJ for the big game.

[MaxRider]

thanks to all these recent tjones talk on general board
tjones will be game time decision for tonight game
berverley is back
garcia and smith both game time decison

[moofs]

Or you can also look at it like this...he just might be performing like the 3rd best player on this team right now! Eek!!! Who mad? Yes, there are plenty of other advanced stats out there, but Jones is 3rd on the team in PER and Win Shares/48 and his offensive rating is the highest on the whole team. Is that consistent enough for you? Obviously we don't have RAPM to look at right now, but all signs point to Jones performing like either the 3rd or 4th best player on the team and possibly only behind 2 max contract players in just his 2nd season while turning 22 a week or two ago.

'Scuse me while I walk off and squeal delightedly.

[Nebula1]

DMo is an excellent post player, better post player than Howard is. DMo has a lot of holes in his game however.

Um no

Not at all

[inquisitive]

Nebula,
Tjone's stock is as high as ever....what can we get for him and Asik...

[Nebula1]

Nebula,
Tjone's stock is as high as ever....what can we get for him and Asik...

Kevin Durant?

[MaxRider]

Nebula,
Tjone's stock is as high as ever....what can we get for him and Asik...

Kevin Durant?

if OKC do it i'll throw in Parsons and Lin to match the contract

[Zubby]

**** Kevin Durant I don't want his bitch ass on this team! I want to watch this team destroy him.

[Nebula1]

**** Kevin Durant I don't want his bitch ass on this team! I want to watch this team destroy him.

While I want to see Houston crush OKC too, I'd love and welcome Kevin Durant as a Rocket.

I think there's an outside chance of it happening in free agency.

[inquisitive]

Nebula,
Tjone's stock is as high as ever....what can we get for him and Asik...

Kevin Durant?

you aiming so high...good...i wasn't aiming quite high...more of klove...

[texasholdem]

Neither Kevin D or Kevin L is going to be a Rocket anytime soon.