Jones walked into the league as an All-Defensive talent. Hell, his arms almost count as an extra sixth defender. On offense, he’s creative off the bounce — with an elongated, side-stepping style and canny vision.
Those skills will never really get to sing if defenses ignore Jones on the perimeter. You can’t pump-and-go by defenders if they never bother jogging toward you.
Jones hit 34% from deep last season, just below league average, and launched with confidence in some high-stakes games. It was semi-encouraging.
## Jones is down to 29.3% this season at the same middling volume. On average, the closest defender is almost 9 feet from Jones when he launches a triple — the seventh highest such distance among all rotation players, per Second Spectrum. Opponents hide weak defenders on him.
Jones can skulk for cuts and offensive rebounds — he’s had some productive games in the past two weeks — but the overall spacing crunch is suffocating.
When injuries vaporized the Pelicans’ big man rotation recently, Jones came to life as a small-ball center — screening and diving with shooters around him. That’s not a viable long-term look. Jones could play that role on offense alongside a stretchy, shot-blocking center — a Myles Turner/[Brook Lopez](https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/3448/brook-lopez) type — but those are hard to find. How does [Zion Williamson](https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/4395628/zion-williamson) fit into that vision?
Jones should spend more time in the dunker spot, and could thrive there in small-ball lineups with Williamson at center. (Williamson has played 114 games in four seasons. Can the Pelicans base roster decisions around him anymore?)
If Jones doesn’t refine his jumper, he could be a taller Tony Allen — a game-changing defender rendered unplayable in the deep postseason. Jones is already 24, so he’s not a young prospect. Hopefully the tide shifts soon.
by kingralek
5 Comments
I remember last year, they would let Herb initiate the offense sometimes. Not dribbling up the court, but BI/CJ would come up and pass it to them. Then they would run through a screen and Herb would make the entry pass. He’s going to need to shoot well at some point, but he does a lot more things then Tony Allen. Allen was an elite peremeter player. Herb does more off ball and occasionally rim protects. He is also a better defensive playmaker. Creating turnovers == more offense.
Herb Jones’ FT% dropped by 10 points this year, too, so it’s not just his 3pt jumper that’s off. There’s something wrong with his shooting mechanics. I don’t know how it’s possible for a player to regress in their 2nd year, but it happening and the coaching staff must address it.
shooting 39% from 3 during March. defense wins championships.
give guys a chance to develop, it isn’t always linear.
Herb should just watch Draymond and become that on offense. Sure he won’t be the passer Draymond is but when someone plays off Draymond, he’s getting into a DHO because it’s an open shot
Also, he’s shooting better this month- he will probably be fine
This is an embarrassingly shallow comparison. There are many different types of defensive wings. Herb is the rare good year one defender. Gordon is a rare superhuman athletic wing (which leads to good defense). But they are such different players otherwise. Mainstream sports media is so boring and reductive.