Tag: Mason Jones

Rockets’ Mason Jones issued warning over egregious flopping call

Jones committed a rather obvious flop on Monday and the NBA issued a warning to the rookie over the play.

Houston Rockets rookie Mason Jones on Wednesday received a warning from the NBA for violating the anti-flopping rule over a play that occurred on Monday versus the Charlotte Hornets.

The sequence unfolded in the fourth quarter when Jones was lining up for a 3-point shot attempt. With Miles Bridges closing out on Jones to contest the shot, Jones exaggerated contact from Bridges to earn a trip to the free-throw line for three shots.

However, the Hornets challenged the initial foul call on the floor and it was subsequently overturned upon review. The play had no bearing on the result of the game, with Charlotte easily winning, but the Hornets opted to have the officials take another look at it.

In an attempt to cut down on flopping, the NBA issues warnings to players in violation with some even receiving fines. Players often try to get away with contact in order to sell foul calls, but, in the case of Mason, there was none to exaggerate.

Mason finished with six points, two assists, two rebounds and one flop.

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

[lawrence-related id=27250,27101,26397]

[listicle id=27465]

Rookie Mason Jones says his play is shocking Rockets’ coaches

“They even told me what I’ve been doing has really been shocking them,” Jones said from OKC. “I’m learning faster than they thought.”

Rookie guard Mason Jones says his coaches with the Houston Rockets have been shocked at the speed of his development this season.

Jones, who is averaging 7.5 points (56.9% FG, 57.7% on 3-pointers) and 2.2 rebounds in 12.2 minutes per game, could find playing time over Houston’s next two games — with veteran guards John Wall and Victor Oladipo each scheduled to miss one night of a back-to-back.

That could potentially open up playing time for Jones. Despite being an undrafted rookie, Jones has developed rapidly enough that he’s not among the numerous young prospects being sent by the Rockets to the G League “bubble” for developmental purposes. Instead, Jones has already proven enough value at the NBA level to keep him around.

When asked what the coaching staff, led by Stephen Silas, wants him to improve, Jones pointed to becoming a better defender. In comments from Wednesday’s shootaround in Oklahoma City, he said:

They even told me what I’ve been doing has really been shocking them. Just knowing all my hard work and dedication, doing the little things, is really starting to pay off. Probably the biggest thing is… just being a better defender. That’s what I wanted to be coming in, knowing that in college, I really didn’t play defense like that. It was a different situation. Now that I’m in the league, knowing I’m in better health, better body shape… and knowing that I want to be one of the best players in the future, I needed to be a two-way defender.

Me and Coach [Stephen] Silas, and the coaching staff, have been teaching me the little things about being a better defender — on the ball, off the ball, what do I see, blue-line help. It’s just the little things that I continue to learn, but the thing about it is, I’m learning faster than what they thought. It’s been able to get me more minutes, and be able to get Coach Silas’ trust, knowing that I probably didn’t have it at the beginning.

[lawrence-related id=44229,43947]

“A lot of people thought I was going to be in the G League the whole year,” the 6-foot-4 guard told reporters on Wednesday. “But game-by-game, I continue to show I have a promising ceiling.”

Jones said Wednesday that he’s happy to be shooting well from 3-point range, given the work that he puts in on his jump shot. However, his larger priority is winning, and he knows defense is critical to that goal.

“I know some games I might play; some games I might not,” Jones said. “But that never changes my attitude. I always watch film. I’m always being with John [Wall], being with the coaching staff, seeing what I can learn. Now, that I got my feet wet, you can see that I’m really maturing. I really just want to focus on defense. I want to be a two-way player.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qEyHYvPhc8I

“I’ve been with Coach Silas, with John, with Coach Rick [Higgins], working on the little things, how to stay prepared, just to continue to get better on defense,” Jones concluded in Wednesday’s media availability. “If there is one thing I want to get better at and show tonight, that’s it.”

Wednesday’s game in Oklahoma City tips off at 7:00 p.m. Central, while Thursday’s contest at Memphis has an 8:00 p.m. tipoff.

[lawrence-related id=44528,44470]

Rockets at Thunder: Lineups, injury reports, and broadcast info for Wednesday

With John Wall and David Nwaba out, reserve guards Ben McLemore and Mason Jones may find new minutes for Stephen Silas and the Rockets.

The Houston Rockets are perhaps the hottest team in the NBA, coming off six straight victories and a 30-point romp at Oklahoma City on Monday night. Now, courtesy of the NBA’s revised scheduling for the 2020-21 season to minimize travel amid the COVID-19 pandemic, they’ll try and defeat the those same Thunder for a second time in three days.

Since trading James Harden, the Rockets are 7-3 and have consistently ranked among the league’s elite in defensive rating. Suddenly, Houston’s offense is showing signs of matching that form. The Rockets set a new franchise record Monday with 28 made 3-pointers in 52 attempts (53.8%), and they tied for the third-highest-scoring quarter in team history with 48 points — which they also did on Saturday. In Monday’s case, they even tied the all-time NBA record with 11 treys in a quarter.

Besides the potential of Houston’s shooting to regress to the mean, the Rockets could also have a tougher time Wednesday due to the absence of their floor general. John Wall, who hit 4-of-5 from 3-point range (80.0%) on Monday, is sitting out for planned maintenance on the first night of a back-to-back for Houston. Former Sixth Man of the Year Eric Gordon, who led the Rockets in scoring and made 3-pointers during Monday’s blowout win, is the most likely candidate to step into Wall’s starting spot.

https://embed.sendtonews.com/oembed/?SC=EeeUaBQ7sw-1134642-7498&format=json&offsetx=0&offsety=0&floatwidth=400&floatposition=bottom-right&float=on

[lawrence-related id=44470]

On the other side, the Thunder will also be short-handed, since leading scorer Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is out with a left knee sprain. He could be replaced in the OKC backcourt by Hamidou Diallo, who scored 15 points in 15 minutes on Monday on 6-of-7 shooting (85.7%).

Here’s when you should tune in to see Wednesday’s game:

  • Date: Wednesday, Feb. 3
  • Time: 7 p.m. Central
  • TV Channel: AT&T SportsNet Southwest
  • Live stream: fuboTV (watch for free in Houston markets)

Probable starting lineups

Houston Rockets (10-9)

  • Guard: Eric Gordon
  • Guard: Victor Oladipo
  • Forward: Jae’Sean Tate
  • Forward: PJ Tucker
  • Center: Christian Wood

Oklahoma City Thunder (8-11)

  • Guard: Hamidou Diallo
  • Guard: Luguentz Dort
  • Forward: Théo Maledon
  • Forward: Darius Bazley
  • Center: Al Horford

https://embed.sendtonews.com/oembed/?SC=42it0B4JqT-1134748-7498&format=json&offsetx=0&offsety=0&floatwidth=400&floatposition=bottom-right&float=on

Besides Wall, the Rockets will also be missing defensive ace David Nwaba due to a left ankle sprain. For Houston coach Stephen Silas, reserve guards Ben McLemore and Mason Jones are the most likely candidates to fill some of the minutes that typically go to Nwaba and Wall.

In addition to Gilgeous-Alexander, the Thunder will again be without George Hill (right thumb sprain); Ty Jerome (left ankle sprain), and former Rockets forward Trevor Ariza (not with team).

Note: This post originally appeared on Rockets Wire. Follow us on Facebook!

[lawrence-related id=44430,44408]

[listicle id=44422]

Houston Rockets player grades for the 2020-21 season so far

With the regular season a quarter complete, we grade the performances of 12 players who have played at least 100 minutes with the Rockets.

The Houston Rockets (9-9) have now played 18 games of their 2020-21 regular season. With the schedule shortened to 72 games due to COVID-19, which pushed back the NBA calendar last year, this means that they’re officially a quarter of the way through the season.

Generally speaking, that sample size is becoming significant enough to draw some conclusions. While the record feels a bit misleading due to injuries, quarantines, and chemistry effects from James Harden’s early trade request (keep in mind, the Rockets were 3-6 with Harden), the sample offers ample evidence to begin analyzing individuals.

Since trading Harden, the Rockets have transitioned from the No. 22 overall defense to one of the league’s elite, and with a winning record. They ended January on a five-game winning streak.

This quarter-point analysis excludes players who have yet to play 100 game minutes with the Rockets (Kevin Porter Jr., Brodric Thomas, KJ Martin, Rodions Kurucs), since they haven’t played enough to get a sense of their abilities. In the case of Porter, Thomas, and Martin, all are reporting to the G League “bubble” for developmental purposes.

Here’s a look at the 12 core members of the Rockets who have played 100+ minutes during the 2020-21 season to date. The list is sorted by total minutes played, starting with the highest. Grades are determined relative to realistic expectations going into the year — i.e. even though rookie Mason Jones has one of the team’s highest grades, it doesn’t mean he’s automatically more valuable than those with lower grades.

 

Rockets keeping Mason Jones, assigning Kevin Porter Jr. to G League

With the 2020-21 NBA G League season starting next weekend, the Rockets are assigning Kevin Porter Jr., Brodric Thomas, and KJ Martin.

With the NBA G League’s abbreviated “bubble” season set to begin in early February, the Houston Rockets are assigning Kevin Porter Jr., Brodric Thomas, and KJ Martin to their Rio Grande Valley affiliate.

Because the 2020-21 G League campaign is taking place at a “bubble” complex in Florida, participants are required to arrive early to ensure that they are negative for COVID-19 prior to engaging in any group activities. This is similar to the NBA’s entry protocols for its 2020 “bubble,” which was also held at various Disney World complexes.

For the Rockets, Porter is the highest-profile player who was assigned to the Vipers. As an NBA rookie last season with the Cavaliers, Porter averaged 10.0 points in 23.2 minutes per game. However, his 2020-21 activities have been extremely limited due to a myriad of personal issues.

Since trading for Porter a week ago, Houston head coach Stephen Silas has stressed the importance of a slow reintegration plan, and it appears that time in the G League could be a part of that process.

Similarly, Thomas and Martin are understandable additions, since both are rookies and neither appears close to cracking Silas’ rotation.

On the other hand, rookie guard Mason Jones — who has shown flashes of very solid play for the Rockets — is not being assigned to the G League. That would seem to signal that Silas anticipates potentially needing Jones to play at the NBA level during the weeks ahead.

Starting Feb. 10, the Vipers will play 15 games at the G League bubble over the ensuing four weeks. The top eight teams from the 18 squads who are participating in the 2020-21 regular season will then advance to a single-elimination playoff, which is set to begin March 8.

From there, the NBA G League Final will take place on March 11.

[lawrence-related id=43643,43947,43853]

https://embed.sendtonews.com/oembed/?SC=IvgGkeofTn-1112392-7498&format=json&offsetx=0&offsety=0&floatwidth=400&floatposition=bottom-right&float=on

Stephen Silas on rookie Mason Jones: ‘He’s showing me he’s ready’

Silas: “He’s not afraid of the moment, at all. He can get us organized, bring the ball up the floor, run plays, and score the basketball.”

When healthy, the Houston Rockets have a significant number of established veteran guards, headlined by the likes of John Wall, Victor Oladipo, Eric Gordon, Ben McLemore, and Sterling Brown.

Even so, undrafted rookie Mason Jones is giving head coach Stephen Silas something to think about, when it comes to rotation minutes.

In Saturday’s blowout win by the Rockets at Dallas, Jones had 16 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists in just 19 minutes. The 6-foot-4 guard made 6-of-8 shots from the field, including 3-of-4 (75.0%) on 3-pointers.

Houston was +16 in the 19 minutes that Jones played Saturday, representing the second-best plus/minus figure on the entire roster. Jones found his way into the rotation thanks to the absence of Oladipo, who sat out for maintenance on night two of a road back-to-back.

https://embed.sendtonews.com/oembed/?SC=SAXivWq0Lw-1122543-7498&format=json&offsetx=0&offsety=0&floatwidth=400&floatposition=bottom-right&float=on

For the season, Jones is shooting 57.4% overall and with a blistering 58.3% clip from 3-point range. Per 36 minutes, he’s averaging 23.1 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 3.9 assists. Those are the types of numbers that can make a case for more playing time, even if the competition is steep.

After Saturday’s game, Silas was asked what Jones had shown him, and whether the rookie might be a rotation candidate moving forward — even when all the veterans are available. Silas responded:

He’s showing me he’s ready. He’s a confident kid, and he should be. That’s why he’s good, because he’s confident. He’s not afraid of the moment, at all. He can get us organized, bring the ball up the floor, run plays, and score the basketball.

To have a young kid who can come in and not be afraid of the moment, especially in times where like tonight where he had to come in and really solidify us, or not allow the score to go down… that’s a tough position to be in as an undrafted rookie. But he’s not afraid of the moment, at all. I trust him.

It’s a good problem to have. We do have a bunch of guards, so there will be times he’s kind of in and out of the rotation. But this time has shown me that he’s ready when I need him.

The next game for the Rockets is Tuesday versus Washington, with tipoff scheduled for 7:00 p.m. Central from Toyota Center in Houston. With all five of the veteran guards expected to be healthy and available, the path for Jones to earn playing time would seem to be more difficult.

Nonetheless, the University of Arkansas product will be ready if his number is called — as he’s been for the entire 2020-21 season to date.

[lawrence-related id=40564,40557]

[listicle id=43930]

UFC on ESPN 20 medical suspensions: Mike Davis, Victoria Leonardo face up to 180 days

Mike Davis and Victoria Leonardo are facing potential six-month suspensions for injuries sustained in their fights.

[autotag]Mike Davis[/autotag] and [autotag]Victoria Leonardo[/autotag] are facing potential six-month medical suspensions after UFC on ESPN 20.

Davis (9-2 MMA, 2-1 UFC), who earned the “Fight of the Night” honor in a unanimous decision win over Mason Jones, needs clearance for his left thumb for his hard-fought battle with Jones.

Joining Davis with a potential 180-day term is Leonardo (8-3 MMA, 0-1 UFC), who needs clearance for her right forearm after suffering a second-round stoppage loss to Manon Fiorot.

MMA Junkie on Friday obtained the full list of suspensions from MixedMartialArts.com, the Association of Boxing Commissions’ official record keeper.

The full list of UFC on ESPN 20 medical suspensions includes:

  • [autotag]Michael Chiesa[/autotag]: Suspended 30 days with no contact for 21 days due to right eye laceration.
  • [autotag]Neil Magny[/autotag]: Suspended seven days (mandatory rest).
  • [autotag]Warlley Alves[/autotag]: Suspended seven days (mandatory rest).
  • [autotag]Mounir Lazzez[/autotag]: Suspended 30 days due to rib soreness.
  • [autotag]Ike Villanueva[/autotag]: Suspended seven days (mandatory rest).
  • [autotag]Vinicius Moreira[/autotag]: Suspended 60 days with no contact for 45 days due to knockout loss.
  • [autotag]Roxanne Modafferi[/autotag]: Suspended 45 days with no contact for 30 days due to “hard bout.”
  • [autotag]Viviane Araujo[/autotag]: Suspended seven days (mandatory rest).
  • [autotag]Matt Schnell[/autotag]: Suspended seven days (mandatory rest).
  • [autotag]Tyson Nam[/autotag]: Suspended seven days (mandatory rest).
  • [autotag]Lerone Murphy[/autotag]: Suspended 30 days with no contact for 21 days due to right cheek laceration.
  • [autotag]Douglas Silva de Andrade[/autotag]: Suspended 30 days with no contact for 21 days.
  • [autotag]Omari Akhmedov[/autotag]: Suspended seven days (mandatory rest).
  • [autotag]Tom Breese[/autotag]: Suspended 30 days with no contact for 21 days due to “hard bout.”
  • [autotag]Ricky Simon[/autotag]: Suspended seven days (mandatory rest).
  • [autotag]Gaetano Pirello[/autotag]: Suspended seven days (mandatory rest).
  • [autotag]Su Mudaerji[/autotag]: Suspended 30 days with no contact for 21 days due to chin laceration.
  • [autotag]Zarrukh Adashev[/autotag]: Suspended 30 days with no contact for 21 days due to “hard bout.”
  • [autotag]Dalcha Lungiambula[/autotag]: Suspended seven days (mandatory rest).
  • [autotag]Markus Perez[/autotag]: Suspended 30 days with no contact for 21 days due to scalp laceration.
  • [autotag]Francisco Figueiredo[/autotag]: Suspended 30 days with no contact for 21 days due to “hard bout.”
  • [autotag]Jerome Rivera[/autotag]: Suspended seven days (mandatory rest).
  • Mike Davis: Needs X-ray for left thumb, and clearance by doctor, otherwise suspended 180 days; minimum suspension is 30 days with 21 days no contact.
  • [autotag]Mason Jones[/autotag]: Suspended 45 days with no contact for 30 days.
  • [autotag]Umar Nurmagomedov[/autotag]: Suspended seven days (mandatory rest).
  • [autotag]Sergey Morozov[/autotag]: Suspended 30 days with no contact for 21 days due to “hard bout.”
  • Victoria Leonardo: Needs X-ray for right forearm, and clearance by doctor, otherwise suspended 180 days; minimum suspension is 30 days with 21 days no contact.
  • [autotag]Manon Fiorot[/autotag]: Suspended seven days (mandatory rest).

[vertical-gallery id=581617]

Rookie Wire Power Rankings: LaMelo Ball, and the rise of Tyrese Maxey

Rookie Wire takes a look at the top first-year players from the opening month of the 2020-21 season.

With the first month of the season in the books, there have been some spectacular individual performances from players around the league. From Stephen Curry dropping a career-high 62 points to Tyrese Maxey scoring 39 points in his 10th NBA game, players have shown out.

The ongoing circumstances surrounding the season, with players in and out of the lineup, have created a great need for teams’ depth. As a result, several rookie players have had the chance to play extended minutes, and they have seemingly made the most of those opportunities.

The latest installment of the Rookie Wire Power Rankings features some of those first-year players that have had the opportunity to play more than they likely would have in normal conditions, while the other top rookies also make an appearance.

Rookie Wire will keep an eye on the class on a bi-weekly basis to keep track of the top first-year players and how they performed on the court. The rankings are not for Rookie of the Year purposes but, rather, to illustrate the best players week to week.

Rio Grande Valley Vipers finalize roster for G League ‘bubble’ season

The roster for Houston’s affiliate features several players with NBA experience, including Josh Huestis, Ray Spalding, and Kenny Wooten.

The Rio Grande Valley (RGV) Vipers, who are the NBA G League affiliate organization of the Houston Rockets, finalized their roster for the upcoming 2021 season at the Disney World “bubble” near Orlando.

The Vipers’ roster includes returning players William McDowell-White, Shawn Occeus, and Ray Spalding. In addition, 2021 NBA G League draftees Armoni Brooks and Jarron Cumberland are joining RGV.

The RGV roster now stands at 12, including two-way players Mason Jones and Brodric Thomas. All are eligible to join the squad at the “bubble” site when the season begins in February. (That said, since Jones currently has a rotation role with the short-handed Rockets, he might stay with the parent organization at the NBA level for a while longer.)

The complete roster can be seen below.

1  Armoni Brooks  |  Guard  |  6’3 | 195 |   Houston, | Draft
3  Jarron Cumberland  |   Guard  | 6’5 | 210 |   Cincinnati, | Draft
34 Josh Huestis  |  Forward  | 6’7 | 230 |   Stanford, | Returner
9 Mason Jones*  |  Guard  | 6’4 | 200 |   Arkansas, | Two-Way
5 William McDowell-White  |  Guard | 6’5 | 185 |   California State, | Returner
42 Trhae Mitchell  |  Forward  | 6’6 | 196 |   South Alabama, | Tryout
18 Shawn Occeus  |  Guard  |  6’4 | 210 |   Northeastern, | Returner
21 Trevelin Queen  |  Guard  | 6’6 | 190 |   New Mexico State, | Affiliate
23 Josh Reaves  |  Guard   | 6’4 | 214 |   Penn State, | Affiliate
26 Ray Spalding  |  Forward   | 6’9 | 225 |   Louisville, | Returner
33 Brodric Thomas*  |  Guard  | 6’5 | 185 |   Truman State. | Two-Way
0 Kenny Wooten  |  Forward   | 6’8 | 235 |   Oregon, | Affiliate

*Two-Way Player

The returning player rights to Josh Huestis were acquired by Rio Grande Valley via a trade with Austin Spurs during the 2019-20 season, and he returns to the United States after a stint with Bayern Munich (German Basketball League) last season. Josh Reaves, Kenny Wooten, and Trevelin Queen are joining the Vipers as affiliated players.

[lawrence-related id=43061]

Trhae Mitchell joins RGV as a local tryout player after finishing his collegiate career at South Alabama. In addition, nine players on the Vipers’ roster have previously signed an NBA contract, while seven have previously competed in the G League.

The 2021 NBA G League game and broadcast schedule will be announced at a later date. For more information, visit www.rgvipers.com. .

[lawrence-related id=43223,43064]

https://embed.sendtonews.com/oembed/?SC=IvgGkeofTn-1112392-7498&format=json&offsetx=0&offsety=0&floatwidth=400&floatposition=bottom-right&float=on

Rockets’ Mason Jones erupts for career-high 24 points in loss to Spurs

With the Rockets shorthanded, Jones seized his opportunity and made the most of his first career start on Saturday.

Mason Jones did not appear in any of the first six games of the season with the Houston Rockets and the undrafted rookie only totaled 19 points over the next four games. But with the Rockets shorthanded on Saturday, Jones was called upon and the 22-year-old seized his newfound opportunity.

Jones made his first career start with the Rockets, who had just eight players available to play, and produced a career-high 24 points, six rebounds and four assists in 35 minutes of work during a 103-91 loss to the San Antonio Spurs.

He went an efficient 8-of-12 from the field, including 6-of-8 from 3-point range.

The Rockets were without DeMarcus Cousins and Sterling Brown due to leg injuries, while John Wall (knee), Eric Gordon (leg) and Danuel House Jr. (self-isolating) also missed the contest. The team also hasn’t welcomed Victor Oladipo yet following the four-team involving James Harden this week, which cleared the way for Jones.

https://embed.sendtonews.com/oembed/?SC=IvgGkeofTn-1112392-7498&format=json&offsetx=0&offsety=0&floatwidth=400&floatposition=bottom-right&float=on

Jones, who is signed to a two-way contract, established himself as a versatile scorer in college at Arkansas and projects to have a bright future with the Rockets. He proved to be an excellent player in transition that finishes well around the rim and can get to the free-throw line.

The 6-foot-4 guard certainly went overlooked by most of the NBA, but he was happy he was able to prove some of his doubters wrong, albeit in a losing effort on Saturday.

“It was really special,” Jones said, via Ben DuBose of Rockets Wire. “A lot of people thought I wasn’t really capable of playing in this league. A lot of people thought my athleticism wasn’t going to translate. But I just know how to play the game. I know how to get my shot off, and also get people involved, and that just helps me get my shots open, like today.”

Moving forward, the Rockets certainly can use Jones’ energy and effort of the bench once the team can get healthy again and the starters return. Depth has proven to be a huge concern this season for teams, and having a player like Jones that can step in and contribute will be key for Houston.

[lawrence-related id=26319,25364,24560]

[listicle id=25816]