Dominique Jones has been a disappointment to say the least. Coming to the Dallas Mavericks in 2010 from the University of South Florida after averaging 21.4 points and 6.1 rebounds in his Junior year, Jones looked to have a build for the NBA along with a toughness and determination that would allow him to effectively get to the rim. (I was one of his biggest fans – I loved the potential.) However, during his first two years with the Mavs, he has gotten the ball to the hoop – but then has been unable to finish. It is as if he watched his predecessor in Devin Harris and learned to be out of control, leading to layups rolling off the front of the rim. This has led to a humdrum two-year average of 2.5 points, 1.4 rebounds and 1.3 assists. Yes, he may not get many chances with the plethora of guards that have been in Dallas recently, but when he has gotten minutes, he has almost always blown it.
The start of the 2012 NBA Summer League has shown a different DoJo. A DoJo with his old MoJo.
| MIN | FGM-A | 3PM-A | FTM-A | REB | PTS |
| 34 | 12-25 | 1-3 | 7-9 | 8 | 32 |
In the first game of the summer for the Mavs, they defeated the Denver Nuggets 88-77 because of Jones. No question. He controlled the offense by attacking the paint and finishing. No one on the Nuggets squad could restrain him from tearing up their defense as he resembled a certain ex-Mav from Puerto Rico.
| MIN | FGM-A | 3PM-A | FTM-A | AST | PTS |
| 32 | 6-12 | 1-3 | 8-10 | 4 | 21 |
With the chance to fall back to irrelevancy in their second game of the season, DoJo decided to lead the way yet again during the Mavs 85-75 victory over the Toronto Raptors. His efficiency from the field and free-throw line along with his quality distribution (only one turnover) are things that Mavs coach Carlisle must be happy to see.
If his jump shot begins to fall as it has in these first two games, his game could open up like never before in the NBA. (However, it can’t be forgotten that he is the current scoring leader of the Summer League – nothing close to NBA gameplay.)
Even though there is no reason to become confident in a guard that has found a way to disappoint DFW countless times with his sporadic flashes of quality play and then regressing to his worse-than-Roddy-B level of play, with Jason Kidd and Jason Terry going off to the Eastern Conference, playing time in the Mavs backcourt will be available for whomever wants to take it. Jones can take it – if he really wants it. He could be a surprise contributor that makes this season a little more tolerable after losing out on the new face of the Nets. Or he could become the next Rawle Marshall/Maurice Ager/Shan Foster.
Either way, DoJo will get finally get consistent chances to impress Carlisle and receive a role on an NBA team.
Ignite the Site!
jay's jems 