WFNY CFP computer ranking: Week 8
October 28, 2015Josh McCown has taken a beating in 2015
October 28, 2015Every successful NBA team has one of those guys—the guy who, despite not exactly selling a ton of jerseys or are worthy of ownership on a fantasy hoops squad, add value in ways well beyond the floor. They’re wise and grandfatherly and say things that, while not necessarily helping with a story or headline item, make your ears perk up in appreciation for the way they analyze and appreciate the game. For this iteration of the Cavaliers, that man is James Jones.
Through the ups and downs, in an era where every possession is scrutinized and analyzed, Jones finds a way to not just provide big-picture context, he can communicate it with the best of them. From Tuesday night’s game story, courtesy of ESPN.com’s Dave McMenamin:
“Every team has its own unique arc,” James Jones said. “You have contenders, you have upstarts, you have teams on the rise, teams that are holding on, teams that are falling. So, depending on where you are, you approach different points of the season with a different level of urgency. And so for us, winning is important, but building continuity and getting stronger and better at every facet of the game is most important.”
My bias for players like Jones is not something I hide. He was the first player I went to the night the Cavaliers topped the Atlanta Hawks to send them to the Eastern Conference Finals last season; he was the player I enjoyed listening to the most through training camp. Many want to dispel the notion of the locker room guy, the player who takes up a roster spot but adds the most value behind closed doors. And while the Jason Giambis of the world can lead to frustration when called upon, all it takes is one look at the more successful teams in the NBA and realize that each and every one of them have that guy.
A quick look at the Cavs rosters from LeBron James’ first stint with the team, and it’s tough to pinpoint a player who embodied similar traits as Jones. There were veterans like Zydrunas Ilgauskas, but Z led by actions more than words. Eric Snow and Joe Smith could have potentially vied for that job, but neither of them could hold court in a locker room the way Jones has.
Jones’ thoughts may not exactly permeate the membrane of the instant analysis crowd, but for those who appreciate each NBA game being a stanza in an 82-game poem, it’s tough to not love a guy who can work with teammates and coaches alike.
3 Comments
Yep, I do think that writers fall into the trap of conflating a good interview from a guy who impresses them with a locker room player leader. As one of many examples, when he arrived writers were all about what a positive locker room influence Nick Swisher was, but I don’t remember hearing anything convincing like that that from players or seeing anything objective to verify that. We all like good guys, but with few exceptions I believe teammates most emulate the team’s best players, for better or worse. In your case, Scott, I seem to remember a long valentine to Antawn Jamison a few years ago that implied he was a role model to teammates. But his real rep was that of a chronic bitcher when his minutes were cut. He wanted out of here, and while I didn’t blame him it hardly made him a stand up guy given his salary.
James Jones seems like a good guy, for what that’s worth, an anti-diva among sharpshooters. But his work habits and the nebulous “way he handles his business” will most likely influence teammates if he’s hitting his shots.
I’m glad Champ came back for one more go at it. Unlike some guys a year ago he can still contribute something.
Jones is a good guy to have. He’s a strong example for the young players and he’s a guy who you can actually depend on to give you SOMETHING when you need to dust him off and put him in the game. His adequate performance at PF during last season’s playoffs was a real treat… I never would have guessed it was possible.