Grading Terrence Jones' Return to the Houston Rockets Lineup
The Houston Rockets' season hasn't gone quite the way that many expected. Houston has held its own as a formidable contender out West, but the surprising part has been the Rockets' ability to weather the storm during injuries.
Dwight Howard has missed extended time on multiple occasions and continues to sit out with edema in his knee. Patrick Beverley has had to watch from the bench with a nagging hamstring injury. Even guys like Isaiah Canaan and Kostas Papanikolaou have been sidelined due to injury. But perhaps the scariest injury of them all belonged to Terrence Jones.
Jones had nerve inflammation in his left leg, and at first it seemed like his career may have been in jeopardy. Doctors could not give a definitive answer as to why there was no feeling in his leg. This mysterious injury caused Jones to miss half the season, but thankfully it wasn't longer.
Jones spoke about his experience, per Jenny Dial Creech of the Houston Chronicle.
"In the beginning it was very scary, not being able to move my leg for a solid two weeks and having no ankle mobility, toe mobility and not knowing when it could be back was very difficult for me and my family. ... Especially when it first happened, they were running so many tests and I was sitting in that hospital for days. It was very difficult. ... I just turned 23 this month and this is my first time having a serious injury like this and dealing with it and watching my team have its exciting moments and down moments. Not being able to be a part of either one has been really difficult.
"
There was a bright side, however, to Jones' extended absence. Although he was unable to run or practice, Jones bulked up during his time away. He also was able to watch a lot of film and increase his basketball IQ in anticipation of his return. And while Jones was away, Donatas Motiejunas kept the team afloat amidst his breakout season.
Fortunately, after 12 long weeks of rehabbing and waiting, Jones made his return to the court.
After a promising start to the season as the Rockets' starting power forward, things changed quite a bit in the time he was gone. D-Mo took over the role as the starter, and the team added Josh Smith to the rotation, taking up quality minutes.
In Jones' first game back, the Rockets were taking on the rival Dallas Mavericks at home in late January. Jones got a standing ovation upon checking in late in the first quarter. He looked a bit winded at first, which is to be expected for someone who's missed 41 games, but the 6'9" forward finally got in the groove after hitting a three for his first points since November 3.
Jones had a nice little spurt in the second quarter, scoring six straight points for the Rockets. He finished the game with 10 points and five boards, shooting 50 percent from the floor. He also had a couple of blocks, including one on Monta Ellis in the final minute that helped Houston seal the win.
It was a nice homecoming, but there is still plenty of work to do for Jones. The 23-year-old is still on a minutes restriction as he eases his way back into the NBA pace. The 21 minutes he played against Dallas were the most he's played in a game since returning, and his 10 points were also his best.
Jones played in six games after rejoining the team before sitting out the last two prior to the All-Star break with the flu. In those contests, his play has been up and down.
He's scored double digits just one other time, shooting 5-of-6 for 10 points against the Milwaukee Bucks. His three-pointer against the Mavs was the only one he's made upon his return. In 18 minutes a night, Jones is averaging just 6.2 points and 2.8 rebounds.
Jones is a nice luxury off the bench. He isn't quite himself yet, but he's an extra big body in the second unit who can defend down low and get out in transition. Once he gets more time on the floor, his offensive flow will come back. Jones' three-point shot was never a strength, but hopefully that will come around every once in a while like it used to.
Recent rumors, per ESPN.com's Marc Stein, suggest the Rockets are in the hunt for Goran Dragic. Phoenix has too many backcourt players and could lose the Slovenian guard for nothing over the summer. The Suns want a first-rounder in exchange for Dragic's services, and that's where Houston comes in.
The Rockets have a projected lottery pick from the New Orleans Pelicans that they received in the Omer Asik trade. The team desperately needs an upgrade at point guard, and Dragic has already thrived in Houston under coach Kevin McHale in the past.
There is a good chance that this deal goes through, but it might cost the Rockets more than just a juicy draft pick. Obviously, James Harden and Dwight are untouchable, as should be Trevor Ariza, Josh Smith and even D-Mo. The Suns don't need any more guard help, and they'll probably be looking for some height in return.
The Rockets may have to part ways with Jones if they want Dragic, or they might not. They have other assets available, such as any of their three rookies: Clint Capela, Nick Johnson and Papanikolaou. Losing one or two of those three, or potentially Canaan, would be a small price to pay for the most talented point guard on the market. However, with other suitors interested, Phoenix may up the ante, and Jones could be a part of the pot.
At the end of the day, we should be thankful that Jones is healthy enough to play this quickly after his career was in jeopardy not too long ago. The Rockets could use his services off the bench, but he also has become somewhat disposable after the acquisition of Smith.
Jones needs time to get back into his comfort zone before an accurate assessment of his return is possible, but so far he's only been a shell of himself. He is, however, doing a good job of knowing his role and sticking to it. Hopefully, Jones will be around in Houston for a long time, and he can pick up his game where it left off back in November.
Grade: B-
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