If there’s one thing the Lakers are missing in their center rotation, it’s a player of both sizes. and speed. Marc Gasol only has the former, while Montrezl Harrell boasts the latter. But even though they only signed for Damian Jones on Friday morning, and he has yet to even fit for the team, he fully displayed both qualities.
The showcase of his size came when Jones spoke to the media on Zoom before the Lakers game against the Portland Trail Blazers. The camera set up by the team initially cut off almost all of the forehead where Jones’ 6’11 frame comes to an end, and even after a quick adjustment, he not quite fit yet.
The demonstration of his speed is coming sooner, even though we did not know it yet. After Jones was cut by the Suns on Tuesday, he was still in Phoenix around 4pm on Thursday when he called his agent that the Lakers wanted to offer him a ten-day deal. He had to come to Los Angeles at 11pm that night to do a coronavirus test and sign his agreement so he could be active on Friday, and he had to rent another car before he could leave. But Jones lifted it and saved it by 20 minutes.
Because of his speed to get to Los Angeles and boast the size that the Lakers are somewhat lacking while Anthony Davis is on the sidelines, Jones may get a chance, though head coach Frank Vogel has admitted the prediction that Jones is likely would not play against the Blazers. . But when Jones does come into play, he, Vogel and general manager Rob Pelinka regard his skill as an archetype that Lakers fans complain the team has been missing for weeks.
‘It’s like the JaVale and Dwight role last year, how they would catch rims and protect the rand, things like that. I try to bring some of the same things, ”Jones said. “Vertical distance on the offensive side, to be able to defend the edge.”
That’s a pretty high comparison for a man who basically brings in the Lakers for a glorified Test, but while he did not use Howard and McGee’s names, it’s almost identical to the terms that Vogel Jones’ game described.
‘He brings vertical space on either side of the ball. The threat of the lobe, but also verticality and shot blocking at the edge. He definitely has a set of skills that can help us, ”said Vogel. ‘He’s a talented young man and a very polished young man. Therefore, we are excited to just look at him for the next ten days. ”
While it’s clear that this year’s forecourt has their own unique and positive skills, the duo Harrell and Gasol have completed just 4 alley-oops combined this season (responsible for both dunks and layups)
It seems like the vertical game is something the FO / Coaches want to address https://t.co/Rv3DxUaMFO
– Alex Regla (@AlexmRegla) 27 February 2021
Some of the Lakers are already familiar with his game. In Los Angeles, Jones reunites with former Warriors teammate Alfonzo McKinnie – who also played a bit this season – which is a relationship that Jones thinks he can help take care of faster.
“It’s cool to have former teammates I know in the group to show me my kind,” Jones said. “Just familiar faces to help me get used to it.”
Jones will compete in the championship while fighting for his NBA future in his fourth team in five years, and he will need all the help. But he has already shown that he is willing to make things happen to fight for this shot. Even if it means giving up everything, locating a rental car and driving a five-and-a-half hour drive in less than seven hours to get a coronavirus test without any guarantee of a 10-day salary .
“It was pretty crazy,” Jones said of the past 24 hours that landed him at Staples Center on Friday.
It would be even crazier if he could make an impact on the limited time and opportunities he would find. But hey, he nailed down every task the Lakers have asked him so far. Now he just has to do it again.
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