Eddie Jones has been back in the starting lineup the last two games. If you're looking strictly at points, you won't be impressed. Although, coach Avery Johnson hopes Eddie will be able to drop a few 3-pointers and spread defenses, playing defense and rebounding is the key.
But, Jones has also been an offensive spark in the early goings of the last two games. Against Orlando, he had six assists in the first six minutes and added three more in the opening minutes against Phoenix. That's important because it helps the Mavs' offense get the ball moving around early, hopefully setting a tempo.
As far as the future, Johnson said his plan is to give Eddie about five to six minutes in the first quarter, two to three minutes in the second and then repeat the pattern in the second half, giving him between 18 to 20 minutes for the game.
"And if he can join that finishing team it makes us bigger at the guard position and, again, it keeps Jet and Devin fresh to play the type of on-ball defense that we want, and to be effective offensively, where you don't have save yourself, so that's what we're hoping that we get to."
It would be interesting if Jones proves himself worthy of being on the floor in late-game situations. Avery does love the prospect of his 6-foot-6 frame being out there on defense and Jones has nailed a few big 3s in his long career. But, if he's out there, Avery loves Jason Terry's big shot ability, Jerry Stackhouse is coming on now and is a regular in late-game situations and Devin Harris is the point man. Somebody, it would seem, can't be out there.
It was interesting as well in crunch time against Phoenix that Terry and Devin were on the floor, but it was Terry doing most of the ballhandling.
-- Jeff Caplan
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