Spurs Taking a Hard Look at James Jones

[EricB]

That's bull out of Pop's mouth. Duncan has always had guaranteed PT. No way he would have ever been benched, there was never a reason to do so.

I've seen Duncan benched for bad play before.. Lots of times.

[Obstructed_View]

That's bull out of Pop's mouth. Duncan has always had guaranteed PT. No way he would have ever been benched, there was never a reason to do so.

Duncan has always guaranteed playing time for himself by being prepared. No Spur has minutes written into his contract.

[coyotes_geek]

1) Rasual Butler
2) Raja Bell
3) Someone from Austin....

James Jones is A Defensive Liabilty, and All He can Do is shoot.... Otherwise his game is Awful... He has No Athletism, and Is Beyond slow.... Im Sure with the Knee problems he has had recently he is even slower

Sounds a lot like Rasual Butler...........

[kbrury]

Sounds a lot like Rasual Butler...........

Butler is a decent defender either way I don't think Jones is awful defensively maybe average.

[ElNono]

Word is Spurs, Lakers, Bulls after Raja Bell. James Jones considered fallback for #spurs only if Bell falls through.

Bell looks headed to Utah. $10m/3 years offer.

I guess James Jones is next. Thoughts?

[Spurs Brazil]

JMcDonald_SAEN

Word is Spurs, Lakers, Bulls after Raja Bell. James Jones considered fallback for #spurs only if Bell falls through.

James Jones, anyone? RT @spurinaustin Stein and ESPN say Raja Bell to Utah is a done deal

[PublicOption]

james jones 41.1% career ft%, 6'8". 7'4"wingspan.

[PublicOption]

41.1% 3pt % oops.....even though 41.1% ft% would fit in with the spurs.

[angelbelow]

At this point its down to:

Bulter - Better all around game. More experience and probably a higher b-ball IQ.
James - Better shooter. Might not be able to provide much else.

[Spurs Brazil]

McDonald_SAEN
Have independently confirmed Raja to Jazz. As if anyone thought Stein could be wrong. #spurs now expect to make run @ James Jones.

[siraulo23]

james jones has been injured the past 3 seasons, no thanks

[ElNono]

I'm even wondering if the Spurs are interested in Jones at all.

McDonald has been getting fed with silly info from the FO all week long.

Maybe we're targeting Butler behind the smoke and mirrors?

[timvp]

Are all of the people who want Butler aware that he's a 36.3% career three point shooter, with 1 season over 40% (Bell is 41.1%, with 7 seasons over 40%; Jones is 39.5%, with 2 seasons over 40%) and at best an average defender?

I know he's 6-7, which is all the rage around here, but isn't the goal to, if not secure good three point shooting and good defense in one player, then to at least secure one or the other? Butler isn't good enough at either.

What does Jones do better than Butler other than shoot 3% better on three-pointers? Butler would probably be the best perimeter defender on the Spurs, while Jones would be another average defender. I literally can't think of something Jones does better than Butler other than barely shoot threes better. On top of that, Butler has played 164 games of 164 games the last two season. Jones has played 76 of 164.

If Jones attempts 150 threes next year, he'd hit around 60 at his career percentage. Butler, on the other hand, would hit 55. Do those five three-pointers throughout the duration of the season make up for Butler being better at everything else?

Another red flag for me regarding Jones is that he was 2-for-19 on two-pointers last season and didn't hit a shot in the paint all year. He played 503 minutes and no layup or any other type of shot in the lane? That's pretty ridiculous. It makes Matt Bonner seem like Shaquille O'Neal.

That said, there isn't too huge of a difference between Butler and Jones. Bother are decidedly below average NBA players. Butler is easily the safer option while Jones has a higher ceiling.

[manu the best]

is he a good defense man?

[TD 21]

What does Jones do better than Butler other than shoot 3% better on three-pointers? Butler would probably be the best perimeter defender on the Spurs, while Jones would be another average defender. I literally can't think of something Jones does better than Butler other than barely shoot threes better. On top of that, Butler has played 164 games of 164 games the last two season. Jones has played 76 of 164.

If Jones attempts 150 threes next year, he'd hit around 60 at his career percentage. Butler, on the other hand, would hit 55. Do those five three-pointers throughout the duration of the season make up for Butler being better at everything else?

Another red flag for me regarding Jones is that he was 2-for-19 on two-pointers last season and didn't hit a shot in the paint all year. He played 503 minutes and no layup or any other type of shot in the lane? That's pretty ridiculous. It makes Matt Bonner seem like Shaquille O'Neal.

That said, there isn't too huge of a difference between Butler and Jones. Bother are decidedly below average NBA players. Butler is easily the safer option while Jones has a higher ceiling.

Barely? One is a 40% three point shooter (which is very good), the other is a 36% three point shooter (which is just okay). Butler is not a very good defender, either.

Durability isn't overly important for this role. Even if one went down, the Spurs would still have Anderson, Hairston and (if he sticks) Gee to turn to. I think the biggest concern is to either get very good defense or very good three point shooting out of this role and Butler provides neither; Jones at least provides one.

That's not at all a red flag. While it is an astounding stat, it's irrelevant for the role he'd be playing.

With the ridiculous money being thrown around this summer and the role Butler has played the past two years (generally starting and averaging double digit points), I'd be surprised if he's not outside of the Spurs price range. I agree that he's a better player than Jones, but the Spurs need specifics.

[ohmwrecker]

Jones - can shoot, can't defend, made of glass
Barnes- can't shoot, can defend, head
Butler - can shoot, defend, clutch

Butler is clearly the best choice.

[TD 21]

Jones - can shoot, can't defend, made of glass
Barnes- can't shoot, can defend, head
Butler - can shoot, defend, clutch

Butler is clearly the best choice.

You're en led to your opinion, just know this: Butler is a vastly overrated shooter (career 36.3% from 3 with 1 season above 40%) and has never been known as a good defender.

[MaNu4Tres]

Just give Anderson and Hairston the playing time instead of acquiring Jones.

[celldweller]

Just give Anderson and Hairston the playing time instead of acquiring Jones.

Totally agree. Enough with these players nobody wants! Let's give Hairston & Anderson a chance.

[ohmwrecker]

You're en led to your opinion, just know this: Butler is a vastly overrated shooter (career 36.3% from 3 with 1 season above 40%) and has never been known as a good defender.

He has had 3 or 4 seasons at just barely under 40% and he's not a bad defender and a pretty good shot blocker for a SF. I'm not saying he's perfect, but he has more all-around skill than Barnes or Jones.

[TD 21]

I'm not arguing whether Jones is a better player than Butler (he isn't), what I'm saying is that the Spurs need specifics. Either very good three point shooting, very good defense or a combination of both. Since they won't be able to get both in one via free agency, it's best to prioritize one or the other.

Barnes isn't a fit character wise, so if you take him out, it comes down to Jones and Butler. It's real simple, Jones does one thing very well, while Butler doesn't. Also, Jones will more than likely be in the Spurs price range, while Butler more than likely won't be.

[DesignatedT]

Butler and Jones are both garbage tbh.

[xtremesteven33]

Butler has been an underrated clutch shooter for awhile now....Spurs need to fill that 3 spot also....

[xmas1997]

There have been no reports that Butler is even on the Spurs radar.

[jesterbobman]

I think we have to look at Ronnie Brewer. Not the Shooter wanted, but could be a lockdown-ish SF who scores garbage buckets. Also, has the size to hassle the SF's that are a mismatch for us.