James Jones and the 3-point Shootout

by looster401 on Feb 20, 2011 11:10 AM PST

I was a big fan of James Jones when he played for Portland. He was one of the best and most consistent pure shooters the franchise had seen in a long time.

In 2008 (Jones' only season in Portland), true to the trend of Blazer fans lobbying for their players to be featured in the national spotlight, many pushed for Jones to be considered for the all-star 3-point shootout. However, despite the fact that he was among the leaders in 3P% that season, it never seemed like a serious possibility that he would be selected for the contest.

Now, only three seasons later, Jones is the 3-point shootout champion... as a member of the Miami Heat. He is essentially the same player now as he was 3 seasons ago aside from the uniform change... He's still the sharpshooting role player who will average about 6 points in 20 or so minutes per game, while shooting 42-43% from 3 point range. His stats were actually slightly above his career averages during his season in Portland. Most notably, it was with the Blazers that he had his best season percentage-wise from three at .444.

Despite this, three seasons ago, the idea of James Jones in the 3 point shootout was laughed at. Now, he's the reigning champion. I generally try not to be "that guy" about the Blazers being treated with small-market disrespect, but it's little things like this that really make it seem as though you don't "matter" until you play for a team like the Miami Heat.

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he was injured at the AS break in 2007-2008

i know many blazer fans love to manufacture small-town disrespect but why would they choose a guy that was injured and not playing for an event on AS weekend.

jones had missed about half the season at the AS break that year. he didn’t play until december. he was brilliant from range for 2 months before he got hurt (again) and missed the next month which included the AS game.

jones wasn’t snubbed in 08. he was hurt, as he often is.

by colinmarsh on Feb 20, 2011 11:25 AM PST reply actions

Hard to argue with your logic here.

Look no further than Lamarcus Aldridge being passed over in the All-Star game. Tim Duncun is there based on his PAST playing ability. Kevin Love is in a small market, but I guess the NBA didn’t like the idea of the “leading rebounder” sitting out (though he does little to make his team better)

Can I buy you a fish sandwich?

by silkybrown on Feb 20, 2011 11:30 AM PST reply actions

Fans enjoy watching ground bound heavy guys get rebounds.

That’s the only reason I can figure.

My favorite teams are the Blazers and any team that is playing the Lakers.

by OCBlazerFan1 on Feb 20, 2011 11:36 AM PST up reply actions

I do think Love has had a couple double doubles in a row,...... just sayin

by bad karma on Feb 20, 2011 1:00 PM PST up reply actions

Eventually he'll trade them up

for wins. Kind of like trading stuffed animals up in the carnival games.

by poorwebguy on Feb 20, 2011 2:08 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs

And like carnival games...

all the games are fixed to take our money.

by Sir.Ludo on Feb 20, 2011 10:59 PM PST up reply actions

truehoop had a good article on the 3 point shoot out a few days ago

They basically showed that being a good three point shooter has little to do with being selected. Being a star or on a good team/big market has much more to do with it. Look it up it was good.

by vullkem116 on Feb 20, 2011 1:21 PM PST reply actions

Yeah he may have had to get on a team like Miami to get in the contest

but it was still great to see a former Blazer there representing and taking it home. Jones seems like a good guy to root for wherever he is playing at the time. As far as I could see from a fan’s perspective he was a good teammate while he was here.

Dunk

by Billy Ray Bates on Feb 20, 2011 3:38 PM PST reply actions

He's one of the few (active) former Blazers...

…who I’d really like to see back on the team. The only Blazer in recent memory who really brought the 3 point shooting touch on a dependably consistent basis.

by looster401 on Feb 20, 2011 11:36 PM PST up reply actions

I also thought that JJ lent some veteran savvy to that 2007-2008 team

the 13 game winning streak was magic. Jones wasn’t a great defender or passer, but he had a knack for making big plays and he gave his young teammates confidence to pull above 500 for the first time in years

Unfortunately, when JJ got hurt during the 2nd half of the season, the momentum abated and they finished 41-41. Still, that season established a foundation to build on (the floor was raised)

The next year Rudy was coming, so JJ & JJ had to go (Jarrett Jack)

When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!

by two4larue on Feb 20, 2011 11:54 PM PST up reply actions