Terrence Jones headlines NBA G League International Challenge

Defense

Only three other guys on the roster have a better defensive rating (104.8) than Terrence Jones. He’s ever rarely not locked in completely on the defense end, able to spread his focus across the span of the court.

As a big man, Jones does a solid job defending the paint, but his true utility lies in his ability to defend the perimeter when necessary. In the play below, Jones gets put into a pick and roll situation, playing it so perfectly that he gets a steal and a fast break dunk out of it.

His overall effect on opponents’ field goal percentage is minuscule, but he remains a positive defender when he’s on the floor. He has much better numbers defending the arc, where opponents shoot roughly three percent worse when he’s on the floor.

Jones embodies Golden State’s defensive system, which is yet another reason he fits so well into Santa Cruz’s gameplan.