Golden State Warriors’ Damian Jones Not Planning D-League Stint Next Season
Golden State Warriors center Damian Jones says he doesn’t plan on being in the D-League next season.
OAKLAND, Calif. — It wouldn’t be at all surprising if the majority of Golden State Warriors fans didn’t know that Damian Jones has a respectable midrange jumper.
Fans that didn’t watch Jones play college ball at Vanderbilt or catch a glimpse of him playing for the Santa Cruz Warriors this past season may be caught a little off guard when they see the rookie center pump fake at the top of the key during a game, dropping in the one-dribble pull-up jumper from the high post.
Walking into the Golden State Warriors training facility last Tuesday for media availability after practice, that’s exactly what I saw Jones working on with Coach Ron Adams.
"“We just have this routine where he’s working on my shot form since I first got back and started playing and stuff,” Jones said when asked to describe his workouts with Coach Adams. “We just been doing that and just working on post moves.”"
Jones once credited Coach Adams for consistently sending him words of encouragement throughout his NBA D-League tenure. When he got back from Santa Cruz, Jones said all of the Golden State coaches praised him for a job well done.
"“They congratulated me once I got back, saying I did a good job down there,” said Jones. “Just gotta continue to make more steps, continue to keep developing and get better.”"
Without a doubt, Jones has continued to make more steps, continued to develop and gotten much MUCH better.
Jones averaged 11.3 points, 7.2 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 2.1 blocks on 58.0 percent shooting this past season with the Santa Cruz Warriors. He appeared in 31 regular season games (21 starts), culminating in D-League Player of the Month honors for games played in the month of March.
Facing off against the top-seeded Oklahoma City Blue in the NBA D-League Playoffs, Jones averaged 13.3 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.0 assists and 2.7 blocks on 58.6 percent shooting. Unfortunately, his postseason didn’t end quite as well, concluding with a 1-2 first round elimination.
"“We were really upset. We knew we were a pretty good team and we had a good chance of winning. We know if we had gotten past [the first round], we woulda made some strides,” Jones said.“We came up short, but it was a good experience. Great group of guys — we was all willing to win. Things just happened in the game where we just couldn’t get it together once we got the lead.”“It was heartbreaking, but it happens.”"
Yet there was silver lining in Jones’s early exit from the D-League playoffs: Golden State was putting the finishing touches on their regular season, giving Jones the opportunity to play in the team’s season closer against the Los Angeles Lakers.
Additionally, Jones being back before the NBA Playoffs meant he’d be able to practice with the team in Oakland, possibly earning an opportunity to play in the early rounds. Jones said if his name was called, he’d be ready to provide energy off the bench.
"“They (the coaches) just tell me to stay ready,” Jones said. “I’m maybe going to have an opportunity here and there, so they said ‘just stay ready and keep on working because you know the season’s not over.'”"
Jones got his first playoff opportunity in Game 2 against the Portland Trail Blazers, playing in the final six minutes of a 110-81 blowout. During his time on the floor, he split a pair of free throws and grabbed two offensive boards, making good on his commitment to provide energy off the bench.
Jones was aggressive on both ends, doing his best to bother shots at the rim while running the floor and sealing off his defender to gain position inside. While it was clear the rookie still has a great deal to learn, Jones proved he was willing to work on the little things in the short time he was given.
Considering the growth he’s displayed over the past year, one could argue that Jones may be ready to graduate from the D-League. When asked whether he expected to play extensive time in Santa Cruz next year, Jones answered with the following:
"“Nah, I don’t think so. They’ve really been very positive. It’s given me a lot of confidence working with them. But mostly nah, I don’t think so.”“If it happens, it happens.”"
Jones does, however, plan on playing in the NBA Summer League this offseason.
"“I’m not sure where we’re gonna be training for Summer League yet, but just working on that, just playing with the coaches — I think Coach (Jarron) Collins coaches it — it’s gonna be a pretty fun time.”"