Tag: Herb Jones

Pelicans: Herb Jones registered 3rd career 20-point game vs. Suns

Jones produced his third 20-point game of the season to lead the Pelicans in a loss to the Suns.

Herb Jones on Tuesday recorded his third game of the season with 20 points to lead the New Orleans Pelicans in a 131-115 loss at home to the Phoenix Suns.

Jones finished with a team-high 22 points, five rebounds and three steals in 32 minutes of work. He converted on 7-of-11 shot attempts from the field, including 3-of-6 from 3-point range, as the Pelicans dropped to 28-41 on the season.

The Pelicans trailed for much of the game but managed to cut the deficit to one point midway through the third quarter. However, the Suns took over for good after that sequence and eventually pushed the lead up to 23 points in the fourth quarter.

Despite the loss, Jones turned in another strong performance on offense. He entered the draft known to be a lockdown defender but has made a steady improvement on the offensive end. He is proud of that progress but isn’t satisfied.

“I’ve made some big leaps in my offensive game, especially with my jump shot but I feel like I have a super-long way to go to where I want my offensive game to be,” Jones said. “I don’t want to ever settle or get comfortable with where I’m at. I’m just going to continue to work and continue to get better.”

Jones has impressed the coaching staff and his teammates this season with his work ethic and that is beginning to show on the court. He has consistently produced when called upon and that should ensure only good things are in store for him down the stretch of the season.

This post originally appeared on Rookie Wire! Follow us on Facebook!

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Donovan Mitchell can’t say enough good things about Herb Jones

Seconds after Mitchell finished fielding questions from reporters, he took a moment to recognize Jones unprompted.

Seconds after Donovan Mitchell finished fielding questions from reporters, the Utah Jazz guard, unprompted, took a moment to recognize New Orleans Pelicans rookie Herb Jones.

Mitchell and the Jazz had just suffered arguably their worst loss of the season to the Pelicans. They trailed by as many as 37 points in the contest and never seriously challenged the Pelicans and eventually fell 124-90, a season-low for the group.

But the performance of Jones, who recorded two points, four assists, three steals and one block, once again caught the attention of Mitchell. To offer praise to Jones after suffering a blowout loss was certainly a big gesture by the All-Star.

Pelicans head coach Willie Green said Mitchell had plenty to say.

I actually spoke to Donovan in the hallway and he talked about Herb. He just said he is one of the few rookies that he has to plan for because his instincts are incredible. Herb has been doing that all season for us. He has been fantastic. Even when he doesn’t score the ball, he is in the right place. He makes the right plays on offense and we’re extremely blessed to have Herb on our team.

Jones was tasked with guarding Mitchell throughout the contest. Mitchell finished with 14 points in 30 minutes and was held to just 1-of-7 shooting from the field with Jones as his primary defender. Jones also blocked one of his shots.

Mitchell previously commended the play of Jones when the two teams last met on Jan. 3. The result was much different than Friday’s as Mitchell scored 29 points, including 17 on 7-of-9 shooting from the field with Jones matched up on him.

Despite having great success in that contest, Mitchell acknowledged how tough Jones can make it on him and how difficult it is to score when he is in the game. Jones, who appreciated the respect from Mitchell, loves the opportunity to take on those assignments.

It is fun. I love to compete. I expect the opposing player to bring their best just like I’m trying to bring mine every night. Whoever gets the best of that person comes out on top and wins. I love competing. I show up every day and just want to compete.

Jones is sixth in the NBA with 92 steals and fifth among all players in deflections. His 7-foot wingspan disrupts passing lanes while his quickness and agility help him stay in front of players, as he did against Mitchell on Friday.

He has certainly impressed the coaching staff and his teammates. Now, others around the league are starting to notice him. He has consistently produced when called upon and that should ensure only good things are in store for him down the stretch.

But, as Mitchell said, it is time to give Jones the respect he deserves.

“I keep saying this: Herb Jones is solid,” Mitchell said. “He deserves his flowers. He is only a rookie but you know.”

This post originally appeared on Rookie Wire! Follow us on Facebook!

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Alabama Morning Drive: Former Auburn WR coach reportedly joining Tide staff

Your Wednesday, March 2 Alabama Morning Drive

At Roll Tide Wire we are starting a series where each weekday morning we help start your day with a handful of news and notes surrounding the Alabama Crimson Tide and the rest of the SEC. Some of the top stories today include the reports that Nick Saban is hiring a former coach at a rival school and former Alabama hoops star Herb Jones’ impressive rookie season.

Former Auburn WR coach Cornelius Williams reportedly to join Alabama’s staff

Reports indicate that former Auburn WR coach Cornelius Williams is set to join Nick Saban’s staff in Tuscaloosa as an analyst. Williams served as the Tigers wide receiver coach for a portion of the 2021 season before being let go by Auburn head coach Bryan Harsin after the narrow victory over Georgia State. Football Scoop was the first to report the hiring.

 

Herb Jones, NBA rookie of the year?

Former Alabama basketball standout Herb Jones has made easy work of his transition to the NBA. The Pelicans rookie forward has quickly become one of the league’s best defenders along with being one of the most efficient rookies. Jones is making a strong push for NBA Rookie of the Year.

Alabama baseball drops Tuesday game

After starting the season 5-0, Brad Bohannon and the Alabama baseball team have now lost four straight. After being swept by No. 1 Texas over the weekend, the Tide dropped a gimme game to UT Martin on Tuesday. Alabama will host Troy on Wednesday, March 2 at 3:00 p.m. CT.

Alabama hoops host Texas A&M

Nate Oats and the Alabama basketball team will play its final home game of the season on Wednesday night in a matchup with Texas A&M. Winners of five out of their last six, the Tide hopes to finish the regular season on a strong note and improve its position in the NCAA tournament. Tip-off is set for 6:00 p.m. CT on the SEC Network.

That is going to wrap up your Alabama Morning Drive for today. You can let us know your thoughts and comments on this story below by signing up!

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow Stacey Blackwood on Twitter @Blackwood89.

 

Pelicans: Herb Jones explains staying ready for 82-game schedule

Jones credited Pelicans veteran Garrett Temple for helping him stay on top of his routine this season.

As a rookie player, perhaps the toughest adjustment to make entering the NBA is getting ready for the rigors of a grueling 82-game schedule and preparing your body accordingly.

New Orleans Pelicans rookie Herb Jones knew how difficult it could be considering the most games he had played in one season at Alabama were 33. He reached that mark this season with the Pelicans by the end of December and has now played in 56 games as of the All-Star break.

Jones said keeping a strict diet has been key to staying ready.

Just staying on top of my recovery, my sleep and my diet. I feel like it has helped a lot. … That was pretty much the emphasis coming in knowing that we have to play 82 games, maybe more. Just making sure your body is going to be able to sustain over that amount of time and that many games. I was kinda prepared for it coming in and I don’t think it is too much you can prepare for if you haven’t been through it but I feel like I’m doing the best I can.

Jones, 23, has sought-after advice from veteran teammates and others to prepare and it appears that has paid off for him. He was named to the NBA Rising Stars game after averaging 9.6 points, 3.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.4 steals on 50% shooting from the field this season.

The 35th pick has emerged as a star on defense with the Pelicans.

Jones leads all rookie players with 81 steals and is 10th overall in the NBA. He is fourth among all players in deflections (168) as his 7-foot wingspan disrupts passing lanes while his quickness and agility help him stay in front of players.

The work put in by Jones has impressed those around him, and even his peers around the league. Jones credited veteran Garrett Temple for helping him stay on top of things this season and that has resulted in a strong rookie campaign for him.

This post originally appeared on Rookie Wire! Follow us on Facebook!

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NBA Rising Stars: Cade Cunningham named MVP to lead Team Barry to win

Cade Cunningham was named MVP of the NBA Rising Stars game to lead Team Barry to the championship and tip off All-Star Weekend.

Detroit Pistons rookie Cade Cunningham on Friday was named the Most Valuable Player of the NBA Rising Stars game to lead Team Barry to the championship and tip off All-Star Weekend from Cleveland, Ohio.

Cunningham recorded five points, including a huge 3-pointer late, three assists and two rebounds in the final game over Team Isiah. He scored a team-high 13 points, six assists and five rebounds to lead Team Barry in the semifinal round versus Team Payton.

Orlando Magic rookie Franz Wagner sent Team Barry to the win after hitting his first free throw to cross the 25-point threshold to win. The teams played to 50 points in the semifinal round and 25 points in the final to commemorate the 75th-anniversary season of the NBA.

Here is how each player and team fared in the competition.

Rookie Power Rankings: Franz Wagner returns to No. 1, ahead of Evan Mobley

Rookie Wire takes a look at the top first-year players over the last two weeks of the 2021-22 season.

The NBA is nearing the All-Star break next week as the season has offered a great look at the current crop of first-year players to this point of the schedule.

The rookie class will be well-represented at All-Star Weekend with 12 players set to compete in the NBA Rising Stars game. Additionally, Cade Cunningham, Scottie Barnes and Josh Giddey will play in the Skills Challenge while Jalen Green will be in the Slam Dunk Contest.

The group has turned in some tremendous performances as of late, while others have taken a leap after earning some recent playing time.

To make sense of it all, we took a look at the best recent performances of these first-year players and ranked them in the latest edition of the Rookie Wire Power Rankings. The rankings are not for Rookie of the Year purposes but, rather, to illustrate the best players week to week.

Rumor: Pelicans rookie Herb Jones off-limits in trade conversations

The Pelicans view Jones as a core player moving forward, along with Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram and C.J. McCollum.

As the New Orleans Pelicans are expected to be busy ahead of the trade deadline, the organization has reportedly made rookie Herb Jones off-limits in negotiations, according to Marc Stein on Substack.

The Pelicans on Tuesday reportedly acquired C.J. McCollum, Larry Nance Jr. and Tony Snell from the Portland Trail Blazers. New Orleans will be sending Josh Hart, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Tomas Satoransky and Didi Louzada to Portland as part of that trade.

According to the report, the team views Jones as a core player moving forward, along with Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram, Jonas Valanciunas and the three incoming players from Portland. The front office could even look to add to that group ahead of the deadline on Thursday.

League sources say that the Pelicans, no matter how the next few days play out for them, are trying to fortify their Zion Williamson/Brandon Ingram/Jonas Valančiūnas/Herbert Jones core. Translation: Valančiūnas and the emerging rookie defensive ace Jones are indeed off-limits.

Jones, who was selected to compete in the NBA Rising Stars game, is averaging 9.6 points, 3.8 rebounds, two assists and 1.5 steals in 50 games this season. He played sparingly to begin the season but has since become a full-time starter for head coach Willie Green.

The 35th pick Jones has put in countless hours in the gym this season to improve and that has resonated with his coaches and teammates. He has consistently produced when called upon and that has resulted in a strong rookie campaign to this point of the season.

After starting 1-12 this season, the Pelicans have gone 20-20 and moved up to 10th in the Western Conference. They have played without Williamson this season but should be able to maintain ground in the play-in race with McCollum, Nance and Snell now on the roster.

This post originally appeared on Rookie Wire! Follow us on Facebook!

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NBA Rising Stars 2022: Player pool revealed for revamped game format

The NBA on Tuesday unveiled the 28 players set to participate in the Rising Stars game during All-Star Weekend.

The NBA on Tuesday unveiled the list of 28 players set to participate in the annual Rising Stars game on Feb. 18 as part of All-Star Weekend in Cleveland, Ohio.

The showcase game will feature four seven-player teams competing in a mini-tournament consisting of three games. Each game will be played to a final target score, meaning that a game will end with a made basket or a made free throw instead of a running clock.

The semifinal games will be played to a final target score of 50 with the final game being played to 25, for a total of 75 points across the semifinal and final to celebrate the league’s 75th anniversary season.

NBA All-Star Game: Rookie players to earn All-Star selections

The pool of 28 players for the game consists of 12 first-year players, 12 second-year players and four players from the NBA G League Ignite. The rookies and sophomores were selected by assistant coaches and the Ignite players were chosen by G League head coaches.

The teams will be coached by members of the NBA’s 75th-anniversary team. The coaches will select their rosters in a Rising Stars draft with each team consisting of seven players, including one from the Ignite. The details of the coaches and draft will be announced at a later date.

TNT will televise the competition beginning at 9 p.m. EST.

Rookie Power Rankings: Cade Cunningham, and the return of Jalen Suggs

Rookie Wire takes a look at the top first-year players over the last two weeks of the 2021-22 season.

After a bump in the road due to injuries and the NBA’s health and safety protocol, several of the top first-year players have returned and are performing at a high level once again.

The rookie class recently saw several players sit due to various reasons, but they are back and contributing to their respective teams. Cade Cunningham is playing like the No. 1 pick, Jalen Suggs is back and dunking on people, while Chris Duarte has emerged once again.

To make sense of it all, we took a look at the best recent performances of these first-year players and ranked them in the latest edition of the Rookie Wire Power Rankings. The rankings are not for Rookie of the Year purposes but, rather, to illustrate the best players week to week.

Rookie Power Rankings: Franz Wagner stays on top, while the top picks return

Rookie Wire takes a look at the top first-year players over the last two weeks of the 2021-22 season.

The rookie class recently saw more action as teams and players alike dealt with the latest coronavirus outbreak across the NBA that saw dozens sidelined in the health and safety protocol.

With over 200 players entering the protocol, several saw additional action recently around the league. However, it appears as though teams are through the worst of it with more players and individuals back and out of the protocol.

The last round of Rookie Wire Power Rankings included several under-the-radar first-year players. With more teams nearing full strength again, some of the top draftees have returned to the court and are contributing at a high level again.

To make sense of it all, we took a look at the best recent performances of these first-year players and ranked them in the latest edition of the Rookie Wire Power Rankings. The rankings are not for Rookie of the Year purposes but, rather, to illustrate the best players week to week.