July 6, 2014

Kevin Jones - Jones spent most of last year with the Canton Charge of the D-League once again, averaging 16.9 points, 8.0 rebounds and 2.6 fouls per game, and then went to the Philippines after being unable to get an NBA call-up in order to get some money. For some reason, Jones - who shot 40% from three as a sophomore and was a real stretch four threat - has put the outside shot away, hitting only one three pointer in the D-League last season on six attempts. This would be fine if he made up for the efficiency in other ways, but Jones rarely gets to the line, shooting one free throw for every 4.5 field goal attempts. Jones is offensively very talented and very smooth - a finisher around the basket, a transition player, a finesse post man with touch and a pick-and-pop option, who for some reason these days only pops from two. He rebounds well, is athletic and plays with a motor, but is not strong nor a rim protector and needs that offensive efficiency to maximise all his talent. Take a step back, Kevin! Stretch fours who rebound as well as you do are coveted these days!

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December 13, 2013

Kevin Jones - Back with the Canton Charge, with whom he spent chunks of last season despite being signed by the Cavaliers, Jones is averaging 16.7 points and 8.4 rebounds. Contrary to the usual career progression that sees players (particularly undersized fours) taking more and more three pointers as their careers develop, Jones has gone the other way and put the three pointer to bed, attempting only one all season thus far. There's an Anthony Bennett reference to be made here somewhere.

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March 16, 2011

Two forwards have had two very different years. Senior John Flowers has absolutely emerged offensively this season, going from being pretty much an offensive nothing into a 9.6 points per game inside outside scorer. He is still mainly an opportunity player on this end, his strengths lying instead in his defensive versatility, rebounding and athleticism. Nonetheless, Flowers is shooting three pointers fairly well, has developed a free throw stroke, and can occasionally post up as well. Conversely, junior Kevin Jones was expected to step into the scoring void vacated by Butler, but didn't, mainly because he lost his jumpshot. The once 40% three point shooter is now below 30%, a slump Bob Huggins attributes to Jones bringing the ball too far back behind his head. (By the way, Bob Huggins looks like he plays darts, and I like that about him.)

Deniz Kilicli has had his moments in the front court. He is a huge dude with great upper body strength, decent mobility for his leap, and a good vertical leap if given a running start. He also has great hands and legitimate post offense, albeit whilst almost always deferring to a slightly side-armed lefty hook shot. On the flip side, Kerlitchler is something of a defensive liability at this point, and doesn't put forward enough rebounding effort. Jones and Flowers at least pick up some slack there, and Jennings had a good opportunity to fill this void on the team, had he decided not to walk away from him. The well built 6'7 235lbs Cam Thoroughman provides toughness, size, passing, rebounding and a wall defensively, albeit a wall that can be easily gotten around without having the decorative flower basket that is any scoring ability. Outside of that, it's pretty much all guards.

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