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Cleveland Cavaliers: Do Not Forget About James Jones

By Ryan Rosko

Nov 25, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Cleveland Cavaliers forward James Jones (1) reacts after hitting a three-point shot at the end of the third quarter against the Toronto Raptors at Air Canada Centre. The Raptors beat the Cavaliers 103-99. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 25, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Cleveland Cavaliers forward James Jones (1) reacts after hitting a three-point shot at the end of the third quarter against the Toronto Raptors at Air Canada Centre. The Raptors beat the Cavaliers 103-99. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Cleveland Cavaliers are going to back to back NBA Finals and two players made history Friday night. Yet, only one is being recognized.

After knocking off the Toronto Raptors, the Cleveland Cavaliers will now focus on the winner of the Oklahoma City/Golden State series. Once the NBA Finals starts, Cavs forwards LeBron James and James Jones will officially be playing in their sixth consecutive NBA Finals.

However, only James has been praised for the accomplishment. The reasons are understandable, but ignoring Jones like that should not happen. He is certainly no James and his stats show why, yet Jones did make history, so how is he not even mentioned?

James is one of, if not the top player in the NBA. He is also the nucleus of the Cleveland Cavaliers and without him, the thought of the Cavaliers in the NBA Finals with Cleveland is likely a dream.

Every player who becomes a teammate of James benefits from playing with him. Still, Jones is not some scrub player.

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His role in the NBA is complementary, with a knack for doing a little bit of everything. Now that he is an older veteran, much of his impact is not seen in the box scores but that is okay.

Since becoming a teammate of James, Jones’ playing time with the Miami Heat was greater than with the Cleveland Cavaliers. In the regular season, Jones played in 48 games averaging just under 10 minutes per game.

In this year’s postseason, Jones has played in seven of the Cleveland Cavaliers playoff games. In those games his lack of playing time continued, only averaging five minutes/game, 0.7 points, and 0.3 rebounds. Those numbers are far from being a difference maker, yet his contributions goes unnoticed.

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Jones may not be playing much at this point in his career, but his voice on the bench during games, in the locker room, and while practicing speaks volumes. His guidance toward Kyrie Irving, Kevin Love, and yes even to James has helped their respective games.

Sure, it would be nice for every Cleveland Cavaliers player to be used in a very important role this postseason. Then again, in a way they are. Some roles are more obvious than others, but whether they are part of the team’s rotation or are sitting at the end of the bench, they all (either in practice or during games) are making a difference.

Some players, like Jones, are well-respected by their teammates based off of the things they do without the basketball in their hands. Jones’ teammates and commentators often reference how important he is to the team. Others, like James, are respected because of their play on the court, as well as their influence (on others) away from it.

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Jones is not going to factor much (if at all) on the court into whether or not Cleveland becomes champions. Yet, his experience, knowledge, and willingness to express what he knows will continue. After all, every player regardless of their role, gets a ring if their team wins the NBA championship.

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