James Jones
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James Jones must heat up fast

Dec/07/06 10:24 AM
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It's not the easiest request for Suns reserve swingman James Jones.

Sit idly for long stretches. When put in the game, make an immediate impact that makes up for Shawn Marion, Raja Bell, Boris Diaw or Leandro Barbosa not being on the floor.

But if Jones is to be the one who will solidify an eight-man rotation, then he will have to be able to heat up his shot like a microwave and bring tenacity.

"We need something from him, and hopefully I continue with him," said Suns coach Mike D'Antoni, who gave Jones 17 minutes Tuesday for his longest work since the first of Phoenix's seven straight wins.

Another Jones looking for a niche with Suns

Oct/25/06 08:27 AM
MESA, Ariz. - When it comes to both the Phoenix Suns' playing rotation and its ever expanding payroll, James Jones is the perfect definition of a "tweener."

At 6-foot-8 and 220 pounds, he has the length and shooting touch to be successful on the perimeter and the size and basketball IQ to be competitive along the baseline - where he spent all his time in high school and college.

Although he started 24 games last year, Jones is asked to provide depth, scoring, ball movement and, after proving he was capable during last year's playoff run, some rebounding, shot-blocking and defense. And as one of the few Phoenix players without either a huge contract or a minimum salary ($2.65 million), Jones can be viewed as both a bargain and a potential bargaining chip if the Suns feel the need to reallocate funds in the direction of the big guns.

‘Tweener’ Jones looking for niche

Oct/22/06 12:50 PM
When it comes to both the Phoenix Suns’ playing rotation and its ever expanding payroll, James Jones is the perfect definition of a “tweener.” At 6-foot-8 and 220 pounds, he has the length and shooting touch to be successful on the perimeter and the size and basketball IQ to be competitive along the baseline — where he spent all his time in high school and college.

Although he started 24 games last year, Jones is asked to provide depth, scoring, ball movement and, after proving he was capable during last year’s playoff run, some rebounding, shotblocking and defense.

Jones' poise rises for 2nd full season

Oct/09/06 10:07 AM
COLOGNE, Germany - At age 25, when many NBA players are at the midpoint of their careers, Suns forward James Jones felt like a 25-year-old rookie last season.

He reached the NBA via the second round of the 2003 draft, essentially sat out the 2003-04 season and entered 2004-05 with a minimal role until some of his Indiana Pacers teammates were hit with suspensions and injuries.

Last season was not only Jones' first year with Phoenix but it was his first season with expectations.

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3 NBA stars will discuss teen violence (James Jones)

Sep/11/06 08:52 AM
Three professional basketball players will attend a youth program this week to talk about issues faced by young people, especially African-American boys.

Pastor Eric Jones of the Koinonia Worship Center & Village in Pembroke Park will kick off the youth program Tuesday. The session will feature Miami Heat star Udonis Haslem, James Jones of the Phoenix Suns, and Keyon Dooling of the Orlando Magic.

Children, teens and adults will be divided into age groups to discuss violence and other problems facing young people at the seminar entitled ``Raising Up Joshua.''

On Tuesday, participants in the seminar will discuss the pressures young people face daily, the Rev. Jones said. The seminar comes on the heels of a spate of teen killings in South Florida this year, including 11 in Broward County.

''As a church we do a lot of things, but we are not effectively touching what's going on in the world around us,'' Jones said.