I think Freddie has become a vital member of the Pacers. He is fun to watch and I am not referring to his dunks. His defense is getting better and better.
Freddie has a certain mental and physical toughness that I really like
In person you realize how quick he really is, I can't think of too many shooting guards any quicker, except Iverson.
http://www.nba.com/pacers/news/featu...es_040304.html
Slam-Dunk Title Vaults
Jones into Bigger Role
By John Clayton
March 4, 2004
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
People know who Fred Jones is now. They hold their breath in anticipation, cameras at the ready when he’s filling a lane on a fast-break. They’re hoping for a highlight-reel moment. He’s Fred Jones, NBA Slam Dunk champ.
But he is also a steadily improving weapon for the very deep Indiana Pacers, who have relied on Jones’ tough defense all season and are just beginning to reap rewards from his offensive game. Over his last five games, Jones is averaging 12.3 points (nearly eight points higher than his season average), hitting 12 of 26 shots from the field (46.2 percent). The explosiveness he put on exhibition in the Sprite NBA Rising Stars Slam Dunk Challenge during All-Star Weekend gets him to the basket and quite often to the free-throw line. Once there, he has taken advantage, knocking down 23 of 28 (82.1 percent) of his foul shots over the last five games.
“It gave me a little confidence, being on stage with everybody watching and you can showcase your talent,” said Jones. “But basketball is a different game than being out there just dunking. I’ve always had confidence, but these last few games have boosted it a little more.”
During Ron Artest’s recent absence from the lineup due to injury, Jones became the Pacers’ first man off the bench. The increased role as Sixth Man was welcomed by Jones, whose rookie season of a year ago was spent mostly on the end of the Pacers’ bench.
“I have to step up. ... we’ve all got to do our part,” said Jones.
Artest returned to the starting lineup earlier than expected in Tuesday night’s win at Golden State, but Jones continues to contribute, scoring 12 points in Wednesday night’s win over the Clippers, giving him double-digit scoring nights in four of his last five games.
Still, flashes of brilliance are accompanied with bouts of indecision, particularly on the offensive end of the court where Jones has yet to fully establish himself among the likes of Artest, Jermaine O’Neal and Al Harrington. He is, at times, too willing to pass on a team that values the extra pass.
“Part of that is because he’s a little unsure of what his role is or he’s a little unsure of what he should be doing with the ball at that particular time,” said Associate Head Coach Mike Brown. “It’s not necessarily him being too unselfish, but I think he’s starting to figure out with his athleticism, size, strength, quickness and all that stuff combined that he’s a pretty talented player and he can get some things done for us. We want him to because we need that at that position when our starter’s out of the game.”
Jones continues to work on his jump shot, which has been the Achilles heel of his first two seasons, but Brown said he is seeing a metamorphosis in the second-year guard from Oregon.
“Any time you have a young guy in his case who hasn’t played a lot in the past and we’ve kind of thrown him out to the wolves just because we know the one thing he does do is defend well, any time he’s getting his first opportunity there is a lack of confidence for the most part,” said Brown. “I think the slam dunk contest has really helped him in that area, taking him out of his shell, not only with his confidence, but it’s making him a little more aggressive.”
Jones knows he is still tentative, but his recent offensive performances give him reason to believe that is evolving into a multi-dimensional NBA threat.
“I’ve been taking a little more advantage of my opportunities,” he said. “I’m still passing up a lot of stuff, but it’s gradually coming.”
Freddie has a certain mental and physical toughness that I really like
In person you realize how quick he really is, I can't think of too many shooting guards any quicker, except Iverson.
http://www.nba.com/pacers/news/featu...es_040304.html
Slam-Dunk Title Vaults
Jones into Bigger Role
By John Clayton
March 4, 2004
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
People know who Fred Jones is now. They hold their breath in anticipation, cameras at the ready when he’s filling a lane on a fast-break. They’re hoping for a highlight-reel moment. He’s Fred Jones, NBA Slam Dunk champ.
But he is also a steadily improving weapon for the very deep Indiana Pacers, who have relied on Jones’ tough defense all season and are just beginning to reap rewards from his offensive game. Over his last five games, Jones is averaging 12.3 points (nearly eight points higher than his season average), hitting 12 of 26 shots from the field (46.2 percent). The explosiveness he put on exhibition in the Sprite NBA Rising Stars Slam Dunk Challenge during All-Star Weekend gets him to the basket and quite often to the free-throw line. Once there, he has taken advantage, knocking down 23 of 28 (82.1 percent) of his foul shots over the last five games.
“It gave me a little confidence, being on stage with everybody watching and you can showcase your talent,” said Jones. “But basketball is a different game than being out there just dunking. I’ve always had confidence, but these last few games have boosted it a little more.”
During Ron Artest’s recent absence from the lineup due to injury, Jones became the Pacers’ first man off the bench. The increased role as Sixth Man was welcomed by Jones, whose rookie season of a year ago was spent mostly on the end of the Pacers’ bench.
“I have to step up. ... we’ve all got to do our part,” said Jones.
Artest returned to the starting lineup earlier than expected in Tuesday night’s win at Golden State, but Jones continues to contribute, scoring 12 points in Wednesday night’s win over the Clippers, giving him double-digit scoring nights in four of his last five games.
Still, flashes of brilliance are accompanied with bouts of indecision, particularly on the offensive end of the court where Jones has yet to fully establish himself among the likes of Artest, Jermaine O’Neal and Al Harrington. He is, at times, too willing to pass on a team that values the extra pass.
“Part of that is because he’s a little unsure of what his role is or he’s a little unsure of what he should be doing with the ball at that particular time,” said Associate Head Coach Mike Brown. “It’s not necessarily him being too unselfish, but I think he’s starting to figure out with his athleticism, size, strength, quickness and all that stuff combined that he’s a pretty talented player and he can get some things done for us. We want him to because we need that at that position when our starter’s out of the game.”
Jones continues to work on his jump shot, which has been the Achilles heel of his first two seasons, but Brown said he is seeing a metamorphosis in the second-year guard from Oregon.
“Any time you have a young guy in his case who hasn’t played a lot in the past and we’ve kind of thrown him out to the wolves just because we know the one thing he does do is defend well, any time he’s getting his first opportunity there is a lack of confidence for the most part,” said Brown. “I think the slam dunk contest has really helped him in that area, taking him out of his shell, not only with his confidence, but it’s making him a little more aggressive.”
Jones knows he is still tentative, but his recent offensive performances give him reason to believe that is evolving into a multi-dimensional NBA threat.
“I’ve been taking a little more advantage of my opportunities,” he said. “I’m still passing up a lot of stuff, but it’s gradually coming.”
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