Damon Jones

[Todd Crane <tcrane@isis.unc.edu>]

According to his profile on ESPNZone, Damon Jones is 6-3 and 195lbs.  Is
that accurate?  He doesn't seem that big to me.  If this kid really is
that big, and continues to play as well as he has (especially over the
last 3 games), I'm all for putting Kenny Anderson on notice and telling
him that there will be some serious competition for the starting point
guard spot next season.  Jones has done the best job at getting the ball
up the court quickly and really has started to hit the open shot.
That's all Coach P is asking of his point guard in this system, and
Jones is doing the best job.  Maybe Coach P can take a page from Bird's
coaching notebook.  Start Anderson at the point, but end up giving the
bulk of the minutes and the crunch time minutes to Jones, similar to
what Bird is doing with Best and Jackson.

If Jones is the real thing, and Tony Battie continues his improved play,
the C's will have all the pieces in place and it will now just be a
matter of time to develop the chemistry and consistency that is key to
playing high caliber playoff ball.

The pieces are there folks.  Walker, Pierce, Potapeko, Mercer, Anderson
(or Jones) as the starting five and Battie, Barros, Minor, Jones coming
off the bench.  If Riley can come into camp in shape and ready to play,
the C's will win about 60% of their games next year.

Early prediction for next season.  C's win 50 games, lose in the second
round of the playoffs, Battie wins the 6th man of the year award, Riley
comes close to winning most improved player, and the rivalry between
Detroit and Boston is rekindled.

Todd