You are here: Home / Archives for James Jones

Lebron Brings It Home; Changing of the Guard

May 11, 2011 By Leave a Comment

For all of the talk about The Decision and the scrutiny of the entire season – this moment must feel good. To bring your team back from a tie ball game in the final minutes of game 5 with a chance to send the block’s meanest kids home, is nothing short of epic. Lebron James showed the kind of player that he is by hitting huge shot after huge shot to cement the Heat’s  97-87 win over the Celtics which ultimately decided the series.

After a Chris Bosh dunk that tied the game 87-87, Lebron James would go on to score the next four baskets for Miami, two threes, a steal which lead to a dunk, and a teardrop to put the final result etched in stone.

James would finish with 33 points on 11-20 shooting. He and Dwyane Wade (34 points) set the tone throughout the game while the Heat’s bench struggled to provide any offense and the Celtics did not go quietly leading for most of the game behind 49.3% shooting on the night.

At the end of the game, James was asked if Philadelphia was breakfast, how did lunch taste? Instead of taking the bait, James paid homage to the Boston Celtics, confessing they established the blueprint and the reason why Run DLC was formed with James teaming up with Wade and Chris Bosh in Miami.

In a hard fought series, that saw the fresh-legged Heat drive and outrun the Celtics for stretches, it was the grind out possessions at the end of these past few games that determined the outcome. Critics were very skeptical of the Heat winning a game on the road, despite having an amazing road record. They also questioned whether or not the Heat could make plays down the stretch to close out games – they did this on back to back games against arguably one of the best defenses in the entire league.

The Celtics did not go quietly. Nor should they – they are proud champions who over the past few years dominated the East behind their Big Three +1. Tonight, they witnessed another Big Three overmatching them when it mattered and the Heat did it from a half court set and with Lebron James leading the way in the clutch. It would seem all the phantoms and doubts have been laid to rest – but there is another series to be had in order to represent the East in the Finals. And just getting out of the conference is not enough.

This series feels good, so wear it well Miami while the Bulls and Hawks battle for the right to be the next Heat meal. Just remember, that this was only lunch, dinner will be served and if the Heat are still hungry, they can go for dessert.

Filed Under: Featured, Hottest Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

Heat Pierce Celtics in Game One

May 1, 2011 By Leave a Comment

The Heat did something they were unable to do all season: win two games in a row against team green.

The keys for the Heat in this series are going to be playing their hallmark team defense while creating as many fast break opportunities as possible. Getting higher percentage shots helps the Heat’s defense as they get set into their half court formation.

Well, things aren’t that simple. The Heat and the Celtics each had 10 fast break points. They each had 39 total rebounds and each team has 26 points in the paint. They even had similar turnover rates, the Heat has 16 while the Celtics had 13. Both teams also shit around 50% from the land of three, too.

The Heat did earn more trips to the free throw line. The Heat had 32 to the Celtics 18.

All these stats don’t really tell the story though. Dwayne Wade came out about three hours early so that he would be ready for the game. He has faced a lot of criticism over his performances against Boston. Maybe this is the story of this game?

Or maybe it was James Jones hitting his three point shots to give the Heat an initial offensive lift? The bench scoring for the Heat is another source of criticism.

Or will it be the toss of Paul Pierce? Boston fans will surely cite this as the reason why the Celtics couldn’t steal the game back. Truth be told, Pierce brought it on himself. After his attempt to make out with James Jones after a hard foul, Pierce proceeded to get dunked on by Lebron James on an ally oop from Dwyane Wade. Then, in frustration set a hard baseline screen on Wade. After which he proceeded to flex his scrawny arms as if to send a message to Wade. He tried to taunt him and send a message. And that was your story for this game. Right there in the feeble attempt of the Celtics to try to intimidate the Heat with their physical presence.

I’ve got news for you – you can’t intimidate guys like Wade and James. These guys have faced adversity before and all you are likely going to do is get them angry.

The Celtics better embrace for a longer fight. The Heat are better and perform better behind Wade’s leadership. Even Lebron followed; the reason he took his talents to South Beach was to team up with someone who he could work and win with.

Yet this series is far from decided. The Heat have to win game 2 just to hold serve. If Boston wins game 2 the momentum would shift. Let’s see what kind of mettle this Heat team is composed of.

Filed Under: Featured, Hottest Tagged With: , , , ,

Tim James Night and Miami Basketball Heritage

March 19, 2011 By Leave a Comment

He was drafted by the Miami Heat back in 1999 in the first round. He was a player that made the University of Miami basketball matter to the city. Tim James was from Miami, he grew up here and decided to stay here for his college basketball days and proved to be a significant player in trying to rebuild the image of Hurricanes’ basketball.

Tonight, James was honored in the Home Strong program by the very same franchise that drafted him for his service in Iraq.

Tim James, however, was also the definition of Miami basketball. He was an exciting player; he could score, block shots, grab rebounds. He was a leader; quiet, stoic, and humble but his game was loud. James was recognized as a blue chip prospect in basketball, coming out of Miami he helped put the city’s young talents on the map. Udonis Haslem, James Jones, Steven Blake, and many other young players filled with basketball hopes would find more opportunities to play ball in other colleges around the country because, in part, of James’ recognition coming out of high school.

When Tim James was drafted by his hometown Heat, a lot was expected of him locally – maybe, unfairly. The kid showed solid promise for the next level. He could shoot the ball, was athletic, and showed that he could defend well enough to earn his keep. The Heat gave him some good looks, but ultimately, Tim James bowed out of the NBA soon after his name was called for the draft – in 2001. He would go on to score 11 points for the Heat in 4 games, then would be traded and finish out his NBA days for Charlotte and Philadelphia, ultimately playing overseas in professional leagues and retiring in 2007.

Yet it is James’ legacy that cannot be overlooked. James Jones attended “the U” because of Tim James. The Hurricanes started winning games and become something of an exciting team to go out and root for. Being built by then-coach Leonard Hamilton, the Canes had a strong defensive identity that eventually got Hamilton to be Michael Jordan’s hand picked coach for his Washington Wizards. Miami basketball was coming up. Then there is Udonis Haslem, another local kid who played against James, who would go on to win titles at the collegiate level for the Florida Gators and has also helped bring home an NBA championship to his hometown Heat. Haslem wears #40 to this day, in part, because Tim James wore that number.

Tim James will be honored for his military service – and that is commendable, to say the least. He signed up on September 12, 2008 to honor his country – the stuff of legend for a kid who rose out of the troubled neighborhoods of Liberty City. But there is an untold story about how much James affected Miami basketball, and helping to create more opportunities for young players to get out of troubled neighborhoods and onto college campuses.

Tim James may not be remembered for his professional basketball career, and will surely be honored for his dedication and sacrifice to the principles that are inherent in our society as Americans, but his leadership should not be overlooked in all aspects of his life. He has inspired other kids from South Florida to think big and find other opportunities to play basketball and get access to better lives. He also has chosen to put himself in harm’s way, despite all the money he has made as a professional basketball player, his selflessness and dedication to protect the way of life that he has enjoyed makes him a hero. With the Heat honoring Tim James tonight, they not only honor the soldier serving his country, but the local kid who helped to create more opportunities for other kids like him coming out of tough neighborhoods.

Read More:

Dan Le Batard’s story of how Tim James ended up in Iraq

Filed Under: Featured, Heat Index Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Heat Celtics Rivalry Starting to Get Real?

February 22, 2011 By 2 Comments

Several anecdotes from this All Star Weekend are starting to paint a much more real picture of this budding rivalry. First there was the obvious – two Celtics sitting on the sidelines secretly gritting their teeth as James Jones repped the 305 and his hometown Heat for the three point shootout victory. You almost got the sense that the Celtics’ Ray Allen and Paul Pierce, last year’s three point champ, were trying to hold off Jones and keep the Heat out of the picture. You could see Dwyane Wade and Kevin Garnett talking a little trash throughout…

By the way, congrats to Jones becoming the 4th player in Heat franchise history to hoist the trophy for the Land of Three. Glen Rice won it in ’95, Jason Kapono in ’07, Daequan Cook in ’09, and now Jones. (TNT got it wrong, leaving off Cook’s accomplishment.)

And then there was the practices. According to some, the Heat’s Big 3 were being made fun of by the Celtics’ Big Three and coach Doc Rivers. The fun revolved around the Celtics running “Heat” plays. The Heat all stars took exception, only mildly though, and the fact is that these teams all know each others plays more or less so no big surprise there. The fact is that the Celtics were visibly challenged by the mere presence of the Heat at All Star Weekend, which says a lot. Sure, the Celtics are on their way out – less days in front of them then the Heat have. Which is why it is all the more crucial that they beat the Heat in regular season match-ups – to make that statement that they are the “beasts” of the East.

Now, with the Carmelo Anthony deal looming, the East is getting thicker. So, another rivalry is brewing for the Heat, of course. For now, the focus will be on the Celtics and the Heat. Oh, and don’t forget about those Bulls, too.

Filed Under: Featured, Heat Index, Regular Season Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

Jerry Stackhouse Moves to Miami

October 25, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Another day, another big name. So it would seem.

Mike Miller goes down with a thumb injury, requiring surgery, and he won’t return until January. Shrug, no problem. The Heat just go out and add Jerry Stackhouse.

Now, there is no way that you can compare the two. Miller is in his prime while Stackhouse is, well, out of it. Sure, he can still play and he is reportedly in good shape. That said, he hasn’t practiced with the team yet so expect a slow transition for him in regards to working him into this rotation. In fact, this is a move made to secure a bit of insurance and some depth. The Heat did release Patrick Beverley and Da’Sean Butler – two young players the Heat brass could help them out in the long run.

Still, the Heat don’t have to commit to Stack. His contract is not guaranteed and he would, to be sure, love to play alongside Run DLC to get some key playing time and a shot at a title. So, the incentive is all on Stack now. If the Heat don’t like what they see, they can always gamble on someone else.

In fact, I suspect James Jones is loving this. His wrist is healthy, and he was shooting pretty comfortably throughout the preseason from three point range. His shot was coming off quick, and he was getting great releases and excellent spacing to shoot. Look for him to climb into Miller’s role and really thrive here in the early on. If he plays well, he could keep the spot even when Miller returns, who will have to rehab his way and get ready just in time for the playoffs.

Filed Under: Featured, Hottest, Injuries Tagged With: , ,
« Older Posts

Switch to our mobile site