Roster Regrets (Specifically regarding James Jones)

by MintyBlue on May 2, 2011 11:14 AM PDT

Did anyone -- besides me -- watch the Heat/Celtics game yesterday or read the box score this morning and flinch when they saw James Jones' performance? 5-7 from three point range. 10 of 10 from the free throw line.

I was sorry to see him go when he left Portland -- seemed like a good guy and a hard worker -- and I was thrilled when he won the three-point shooting contest (that was corrective justice, he should've been invited to compete the year he was a Blazer) -- but this morning in particular I am seriously feeling regretful about the Blazers' decision to let him go. It seemed like a mutual and amicable parting of the ways... and hindsight is 20/20... but man... just think what we could have done against the Mavs with Jones in the line up!

Seems like maybe part of the reason the Blazers didn't pursue him when he became a free agent was concerns about the road worthiness of his knees...? But he played 28 minutes yesterday! I guess it's next to impossible to predict what a knee is gonna do over time (understatement)...

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Well in that case..

don’t forget to mention Z-Bo tearing it up in the playoffs and we had him. I’m glad to see Jones lighting it up for Miami. He is a Miami native and went to high school there so it’s even sweeter he is doing in it in his home town.

by Blazers 4 Life on May 2, 2011 11:51 AM PDT reply actions

Well, Z-Bo's been replaced...

by LMA, who’s a better person, teammate and much more exciting to watch (unpopular criteria for basketball analysis, I know). James Jones was great on the Blazers, and I was hoping they would have resigned him. He’s probably a lot happier in Miami than he would be in Portland, though. If that guy’s left uncontested to shoot threes…I swear he makes it like 80% of the time. Best 3-Point shooter in the game (JVG was right the first time).

by hollywood robinson on May 2, 2011 12:44 PM PDT reply actions

We sure could have used ANYONE that could hit an outside shot.

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

by OCBlazerFan1 on May 2, 2011 12:48 PM PDT reply actions

If I recall, the Heat gave James a 5 year $25 million deal, or something in that range

That was far too much money at the time considering we had other some other role players who could make the three (Webster, Blake, Outlaw, etc.). But yes you’re right, he would be a perfect fit on the team we have now.

by Blazas! on May 2, 2011 1:31 PM PDT reply actions

yah he sure could ring it!

by Chea Cubana on May 2, 2011 3:18 PM PDT reply actions

Yea he wanted to leave, hes from miami

by rosecity7077 on May 2, 2011 3:26 PM PDT via mobile reply actions

actually, he was interested in staying

but our roster logjams at the time (sounds funny now!), and the 5-year deal he got from Miami, combined to make his departure inevitable.

"Well, you can always sell your team."

by douglast on May 2, 2011 4:19 PM PDT up reply actions

blazers wanted him back

jones optioned out of his contract and signed an overpiced deal with his home town

Fire Nate; hire Rick Adelman
(time and money cures all wounds)
trade for Iggy

by thomasikehara on May 2, 2011 5:10 PM PDT reply actions

Regrets?

James Jones can take a charge. He’s smart on team defense and gets to his spot when playing catch and shoot on offense. I like James Jones. The end.

"You're standing in my sunlight, please move." —Diogenes to Alexander the Great

by pixelpusher on May 2, 2011 6:14 PM PDT reply actions

The very young wonder Blazers of yesterday did not start winning

until James Jones started playing. Amongst all of the young players, he had the veteran know how th eteam lacked. He brought a steadiness to the line-up with his spacing and awareness that the team needed badly back then.

I was very unhappy to see him go and up until I this lats game I figured he was done. Hindsight is 20/20 and although I felt his value to the team was very underrated and was upset he left back then— the time between now and then has been a whole lot of ups and downs. He would have blended right into the team with many games missed and sporadic play. Another one of those pieces and this ship mighta sunk a whole lot quicker.

A lot has happened between then and his last game. Not sure if it would have been worth it. Plus, he always wanted to go back to his hometown. Can’t say I blame him.

by loyal_blazer on May 2, 2011 6:51 PM PDT reply actions

Jump shooter who spends more time injured than playing.

Loved him though. Numbers be damned, best shooter we have had in the past 7 years.

Team Aldridge

by Sabonis4Ever on May 3, 2011 3:38 AM PDT reply actions

It seems like when the Blazers have good shooters they only stay for one season

James Jones, Wesley Person, Ime Udoka to name a few.

by RainInRipCity on May 3, 2011 8:40 AM PDT reply actions

Channing Frye is 6' 11" and shot 39% from 3 this year.

Blazers could have used both of those in the playoffs. Oh, well.

Who's that tromping across my bedge?

by Troll Blazer on May 3, 2011 1:13 PM PDT reply actions

True! Channing's another one!

We thought we had plenty of inside talent and didn’t need a big guy who could spread the floor. D’oh.

Darn hindsight…

by MintyBlue on May 3, 2011 3:34 PM PDT up reply actions

Channing definitely deserved more credit as a basketball player than he was given while he was here

but he’s still a poor fit with our system

"If I had a dime for every basket I made today, you'd still suck!" - from the book 'John Dies @ the End'

by sammymohawk on May 3, 2011 5:06 PM PDT up reply actions

Martell

We could have used Martell this year. He shot 42% from the 3 point line for Minnesota. Who made that decision?

by chaddyboy on May 4, 2011 9:23 AM PDT reply actions

The Shooting Coach is not getting the most out of the guys.

Martell seemed more concerned with form that making the shot at times— he jumped a little too high for himself.

He leaves and his % goes up immediately. Go figure. I bet Minnesota spotted a couple things real quick and had him shooting better. Just another thing this organization does not seem to be doing well or demanding answers for.

Rudy needs glasses? Good lord! smh

by loyal_blazer on May 5, 2011 1:53 AM PDT up reply actions