It’s Tournament Time here at Hornets247! Who will be the Hornets 10th overall selection voiced by you, our readers!
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Perry Jones III
(By Jake Madison)
Follow @NOLAJake
Look, a Jones will advance to the second round, but I implore you, dear Hornets247 reader, to make it the correct one. That is Perry James Jones III and not that scrub Terrence Jones.
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With Anthony Davis on board as a sure thing, Dell Demps can take a chance on Jones III without the risk of botching the Hornets draft. Even with Davis on board the Hornets are still a few years away from serious contention. That happens to be exactly the same time frame that Jones III needs to develop and I say the Hornets should go for the home run.
Jones III has both the height and size (6-foot-11, 235 pounds) NBA teams drool over. And Monty Williams has said how much he covets length. We're starting off well.
Jones III is a very versatile player with freak athleticism which allows him to play at the 3, 4 or 5. His strong ball-handling skills allow him to drive past his defender to the hoop from as far out as the three-point line. He can play in the post and get his shots off easily due to his size. His footwork in the paint shows strong potential and Jones III shows a nice finishing touch on close range shots. One of Jones III's other strength is he has tremendous range on his jump shot, being able to hit from behind the arc.
And you want to know what is also important? Throwing down monster dunks. Davis is great on the alley-oop, but if you watch his dunks they aren't thunderous, Blake Griffen-esque smashes. I want a player who will get the Hornets on SportsCenter's top ten by throwing the ball down with the force of Mjölnir (yes that is an umlaut). No matter what someone says, there are points for style.
On defense, Jones III will mature into a strong defender. His athleticism will allow him to defend multiple positions and he'll have no problem switching onto a quicker guard on the pick and roll. His court awareness was lacking at times this season, but working with a defensive minded head coach like Monty should remedy that.
Let me say this again: 6-foot 11, 235 pounds, 7-foot 2 wingspan with the athleticism of Josh Smith. The dude just oozes potential.
The Jones III detractors will are going to try and sell you on a few key points: His apparent lack of motivation and motor, his disappointing stats, and the fact that he never really dominated. Let's address those.
Jones III himself even admitted that his biggest problem is “My motor. To be able to keep playing consistently throughout the entire 40 minutes of the game.” Yeah it can be concerning to hear a player admit that. However, I look at the admission as a positive: Jones III knows what his shortcomings are and what he needs to work on. And he's doing just that. Jones has looked great in pre-draft workouts--let's be honest: who doesn't?--and feels more confident than ever. That is exactly what I want to hear.
His stats and lack of domination go hand in hand. During his sophomore season at Baylor, Jones was part of a well-rounded team that won a school record 30 games. Jones III saw that things were going well and the team was winning so he went with it. There isn't a need to rock the boat when a team is winning and it is refreshing to see a player focus more on that and less on his own numbers. " I didn't feel pressure to be a great scorer because I had so many other people who could score around me," he said. I find that unselfishness to be an asset.
Another factor may have been the offensive game plan of his college coach Scott Drew. Drew let the offense run through point guard Pierre Jackson who isn't much of a distributor instead of his star big man. This led to the stagnation of many of Jones III's stats from his freshman to sophomore year. Even Jones III agrees saying, " I don't think [I was used well]. Not at all. Seeing the player that I've become over the past month or so, I wasn't used well at all."
Put Perry James Jones III on the Hornets and let him work with the smart basketball mind of Monty Williams for a season or two and I promise you the results will be fantastic.
Sounds like a steal at the 10th pick to me.
40 responses to “Tenth Pick Tournament Round One: Terrence Jones vs. Perry Jones III”
If “No” was an option, I think I would have chosen that. Both of these guys scare the hell out of me, but I agree with James that Terrence is a little less risky.
Honestly went back and forth after the two arguments. Good job guys.
I think the one thing that we are seeing from this tournament is that there are plenty of good players likely to be available at #10 and if we believe in Monty and Dell the way I think most of us do, the player picked will almost certainly be a key part of a strong foundation.
Agreed on the last phrase. Whoever we pick, I think Monty and Dell will put the necessary development and time so as not to waste this pick. This tournament is just for the fans. 🙂 For what it’s worth, I voted PJIII. We need potential two way players on this team (who doesn’t?) not just players who play one side of the ball. PJIII can become a GREAT two way player. Terrence Jones, can’t (IMO). Defensively, TJ is GREAT, but I can’t see him turning into a 17, 18 PPG kinda guy. PJIII has THAT potential and more. 🙂
Great Arguments on both sides, went back and forth as well
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. Terrance Jones will be a breakout star of this draft. A “Scrub”? Naive is an understatement. When Vandy shut down the unibrow, this man stepped up and would come flying out of nowhere for the offensive board and the outback. He continued his versatile and aggressive play all throughout the tournament. This kid will be big.
going to the “scrub” label right away is hardly an esteemed debating tactic
The scrub comment was meant as tongue in cheek. We’re all having a little fun bashing the other writer and their player. Obviously none of these players are scrubs.
Except for Lillard, that dude just sucks…
Kidding!
We’re essentially `agents’ here. We’re supposed to get our guy to the next round. Within the reasonable bounds of tomfoolery, such stuff is fair game.
Such is my interpretation.
my reply was a bit facetious as well, no offense was taken by terrence or I
competitive fire wins out over physical gifts every time in the nba draft
edge terrence
i hope, in form with most mock drafts, teams with higher picks tke barnes drummond and pj, leaving us with more choices of motivated players with bright futures
I would agree with you but I would leave barnes name off the lazy list. He is an exceptionally hard worker and has talent. Granted he has short comings on defense but dont group him with the other two major underachievers.
not that i think barnes is lazy, just lacks the fire and desire to be great. kind of reminds me of allan houston, who had a great career, but throughout it was prone to disappearing for long stretches, and never took his game to the level he could of
Good debate there. You both brought forward some solid points and this was well written. Kudos.
Something about Perry Jones turns me away and I can’t pinpoint what. I took Rivers over Waiters because I think although Waiters has a better rookie year, Rivers will surpass him. I will not argue the potential of Jones III. However, I just don’t see it. I see him as another Aminu, and we already have the real Aminu. Terrence Jones however, I see as an immediate contributor and I just really like the guy.
When Davis had an off game, Terrence Jones would take over and make an even bigger impact than what he would traditionally. Terrence is a 6th Man of the Year waiting to happen. I like Rivers potential because he’s a coach’s son and will work. I just question whether Perry will have the drive to really improve his game. I think Terrence attitude is either better or on the same level as Perry and he’s better now, so I expect him to be better long term as well.
Terrence Jones for me. I’m gonna love this tournament!
the Warriors needs a SF if the Hornets trade Ariza which pick you think he’s worth 7th or 30th overall?
Ariza’s not worth the 30th. His contract makes him a player with a negative net value. You’d have to take back Biedrins to even sniff a pick.
This is what I’m talking about! Jake, I love your take on JonesIII! This should be the blueprint on how the 247 guys go about writing this piece. What I love about your take is the fact that you take your time and thought about how JonesIII would translate under the Hornets and their staff. Not only that but you gave a lot specific reasons and addressed how those weaknesses could be massed or fixed.
James’s your piece was also good and detailed. The only thing is I wish you’d go further into detailing Jones as a Hornet so I could get a vivid description on how Jones would fit in as a Hornet.
The piece was overall very strong and I hope you guys continue to give us a vivid take on how these guys could fit on the team and the roles they play.
Only reason I won’t do that much is because, by the time these guys hit their potential, the roster will be COMPLETELY overhauled. So, what’s the point of talking about how they fit with Jack or Okafor or Ariza, etc. if those guys wont be around when Jones or Jones actually get starter’s minutes?
To me, Anthony Davis and Monty are the only two I think are important when it comes to fit. They better be able to mesh with AD and be willing to put in the work Monty demands. I will write about how these guys fit with regard to those two, but that is probably it.
so you think EG10 is out? Personally, I think AD EG and Monty are important figures. But that’s just me.
i believe monty when he says we’re building around gordon, can’t see us letting him go for any amount.
now that we got #1 and mkg is out of picture, i can’t see us parting with trevor, 26 yrs old, defensive stalwart perfect for monty’ssystem, great teammate.
hope they make him sit and watch endless film of kawhi leonard and jeff green then take 500 3s a day
i hope we don’t gut the team this year. i’d prefer to see the whole group back and teaching the rooks something about teamwork professionalism and blue collar work ethic.
I like PJIII with him and Davis would be a great pair.I doubt that he’ll be there at 10 but if the Hornets trade Ariza to the Warriors for the 7th pick and draft PJIII and then trade the 10 pick to the Celtics for the 21st &22nd picks.I like Jeff Taylor and Tony Wroten or Tayshun Taylor with those picks.Or trade Ariza to the Warriors for the 7th pick to draft Moe Harkness and hope PJIII falls to 10 or trade the 10th to the Celtics 21st & 22nd and draft Arnett Moutrie and Evan Fortiner.
Why on earth would golden st trade the 7th pick for Trevor ariza? A dude were trying to dump anyway??
clearly noone is trading a 7 for #1, but why do you think we’re trying to dump him?
gladly, i see him starting 82 @ the 3 in 012
Becasue they’re golden state?
Why on earth do them and the clippers do anything?
Open your eyes Dave. Golden State had a tiny backcourt and no defense a year ago, now they have a good sized back court and a defensive anchor at Center. Clearly their F.O. has its head on straight.
And you’re right about the Clippers, you have to be a completely inept organization to waste a #1 pick on Blake Griffin, draft Eric Gordon, pick up DeAndre Jordan in the second round, or give up anything for that career backup “Chris Paul.”
I really don’t want PJ3 atm. Please god not another project wing (we already have 2 talented, high upside, raw wings as it is). I don’t see either happening tbh.
Pretty much the same player. However, Jones III is more of a risk than Jones. Plus, Jones and Unibrow will bring over that UK chemistry to the Hive.
I like them both to tell you the truth, if there was a way to trade Trevor Ariza and Al Farouq Aminu to Golden State for the 7th pick and somehow get it, then we can go with this crazy draft scenerio. Draft Anthony Davis first, Perry Jones seventh and for the tenth pick grab Terrence Jones, I know that’s a lot of forwards but look at this way. Coach Monty Williams has said how he really wants length, especially after the playoff loss to the Gasol and Bynum combo in the playoffs last year. Then in free agency, resign Eric Gordon and try if possible to resign Carl Landry too, then try and make a move to get JaVele McGee. We could probably trade a package deal like Kamen, Vasquez, and Okafur for McGee and Andre Miller. Imagine this starting lineup with Jack, Gordon, PJ3, AD and McGee and coming off the bench Miller, Belinili, TJ, Landry and JSmith. Highly doubtful this will happen but man that would be a scary team.
This is a tough choice for me. I really really like T. Jones but P. Jones has real unlimited potential.
Sorry you can’t compare anybody on this team as it pertains to potential to Perry outside of Gordon. I see PJ like how some of you guys see Anthony Davis. He has the talent to be an unstoppable HOFer if he can find the consistency and has the drive.
If there was a both choice I would choose that. I think if we’re taking Davis first I’ll take the safe pick and go with TJ.
the reason ad is evryone’s #1 is not just because hehas the skills of a more athletic john henson, but because of his competitiveness and desire, that which makes nba players great. pj3 and your man drummond are more
ikely to be playing bocce ball with olokwandi and ed o bannon in 5 yrs than playing in an all star game
That might be the first time the Candy Man and the NBA have been in the same sentence in years.
We just saw DeAndre Jordan command an 8 figure contract extension. I highly doubt Drummond will be out of the league in 5 years. If nothing else Andre can do what DJ does with little to no passion and/or low basketball IQ.
Let’s not fool ourself’s. AD is number 1 because of two things. First everybody else that has more talent than Davis in this draft have question about either their desire, instincts, or consistency. And second because of the hype.
It’s this hype that’s responsible for the reason why we can’t have a legit discussion about Davis’ flaws. We are at a point where a person can’t be critical of obvious deficiencies. According to most if you aren’t ignoring his glaring flaws you are a hater. The only thing that maybe even worse then fans here inability to be subjective is the over the top comparisons to HOF’ers that have a infinite higher level of skillset than Davis.
do agree with you that there is an expectation snowball effect that may be getting slightly too big.
that is related to what you’re feeling about noone wanting to hear criticisms of ad.
obviously we’ve been plagued with so much bball related anxiety topped by disappointment since 2008 that we feel an overwhelming need to celebrate our recent good news.
after finally resolving ownership and lease, to be crowned with a number one that “experts” say is one of the best prospects since drose, durant, and lebron, can you blame people for not wanting to dampen their euphoria with realism? we know we’re drafting ad, let’s enjoy the moment and dream about the best!
I hear you Hustle man and I don’t want to be the guy spiting in the punch bowl. However it’s not fair to Davis to have this type of pressure. Especially a guy whos greatest impact most likely won’t be as tangible as points.
hey if we pick one of the two is dat means we should trade ariza…logjam in SF wid aminu, ariza and jones or PJIII….any gud trade
PJ3 reminds me of Anthony Randolph crossed with Rashard Lewis circa Seattle (minus the J). I like that a lot.
I don’t think he’ll be there at 10, but I also don’t think he’s right for your team when there are plenty of better options for this organization. Personally, I’m high on Kendall Marshall and I can see you guys targeting him. I also think Zeller is worth a look at 10. His game complements Davis’ fairly well, and I like his likelihood of reaching his potential compared to a lot of the other options in your positions of need.
As for Terrence Jones, he’s a solid prospect… if you’re drafting late lotto-early 20s. Reminds me of Marvin Williams, which leaves a horrible taste in my mouth.
Every once in awhile to become a great franchise you have to get lucky and take a chance on a player and hopes he becomes a better NBA player than college player. Thunder got lucky twice, once with Westbrook who couldn’t beat out D. Collison at UCLA and with Harden going #3 in a “weak” draft. If a NBA scout was look at PJIII and compare him to A Davis from a purely physical and skillset standpoint I’m sure 50% would agree PJIII is the better prospect. Safe picks get you swept in the 2nd round, risky picks that become home runs because of your vision and development become Finals participants after beating the “best team” 4 straight games. Terrance Jones could be solid but Perry Jones, even with all his flaws, could be great! I say you take a shot at greatness and pray the character and work ethic of A Davis rubs off on Perry and forces him to step his game up as they grow together.
Agree 100% PJ3 in a few years with Monty’s tutelage could become one of the few guys that could guard and slow down K.Durant.
[…] still at least a couple of years away from being considered a legitimate title contender; in fact, my opponent even admitted that fact just yesterday (which makes his desire to trade the pick for a veteran a rather peculiar one). Not only do they […]
I like Perry Jones a lot, but I would take Terrence Jones. Terrence is a guy that can be a great backup small/power forward and be a potential 6th man of the year. He already has chemistry with one of the franchise players. Perry is a good player, but I just like how Terrence has already proved to be a willing team player and can do just about everything there is to do. Perry can, too; I just don’t think he is the right player for the Hornets.
[…] went over the potential that Jones III possesses in my first round post. While I’m not going to cover all that again, let’s go over a few things: 6-foot 11, […]