Everything about Isaac Jones’ path to the NBA has been unconventional. If you haven’t before, I’ll recommend reading these two profiles of Jones, one from the AP, one from The Spokesman-Review. To summarize them, Jones was an undersized big man standing 6’5 when he graduated high school. He had no college offers and went to work loading industrial pipes onto trucks. A chance invite from a friend resulted in him playing three seasons at Wenatchee Valley College. He then got a chance to move to Division 1 at Idaho before transferring to Washington State for his final season. He then went undrafted, before the Kings signed him to a Two-Way contract.
Jones finished high school thinking he had no chance at ever playing basketball again, and now he’s getting rotation minutes in the NBA. It’s an incredible path Jones has taken, and it enhances even further how wonderful a surprise he’s been for Kings fans this year.
Jones had an underwhelming Summer League, but showed good energy and athleticism. We heard optimistic reports about him from training camp. But then the season began and Jones wasn’t playing at all for Sacramento. Despite Sacramento’s lack of front court depth and size, it still wasn’t a big shock that a two-way player wasn’t immediately earning playing time. Jones played garbage time minutes in a handful of games, but didn’t register a single stat other than a foul until his 5th NBA game, November 13th against the Suns, when Jones had four points and a rebound in under 3 minutes of play. He was a DNP the following game.
Jones’ first real run came against the Utah Jazz on November 16th, when he played 12 minutes and scored 6 points, and also added two rebounds and a block. But the next game against Atlanta he played less than three minutes, his only stats being two turnovers. He sat the following two games. There was very little to suggest Jones was on the verge of breaking out in any meaningful way.
For the last five games, Isaac Jones has played real minutes, and has made a real impact. Over the last five games he’s averaged 9 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 0.8 blocks per game in 17.7 minutes per night. Jones set his career high with 12 points against the Spurs, along with 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, and 1 block. He followed it up Tuesday by matching that career high with another 12 points, to go along with 2 rebounds and 2 blocks.
Beyond the stats, it’s how Jones plays that is making fans fall in love with him. Jones is a big, athletic rim-runner. He plays with energy, sprints down the floor to collapse defenses on fast breaks, and defends with physicality. He plays a style that the Kings were missing. A roll man, a lob threat, a big guy with bounce.
He’s still raw, make no mistake. Jones commits some groan-inducing fouls at times, and still looks a little lost from time to time. But it’s easier to forgive a careless turnover from an undrafted rookie than a turnover by an established veteran. Mistakes are part of the learning curve, and Jones’ curve is already exponential.
We all know that five games do not guarantee continued success. But when I look at the production, the play style, the effort, and the astoundingly hard path he’s taken to reach this point, I’m willing to bet on Jones’ continued success. We’re in for a lot of fun as we watch him continue to defy the odds and earn his place in this league.
Heard him on 1140 today. Seems like a humble dude and a guy eager to play hard and help his team. Helluva inspirational story too. I say give him playing time, a contract, and a nickname.
a surprise impact player at a position of need. Reminds me of Leon Powe. Nice find!
I’ll also go old Sac King:
not Rashaun Holmes, but how ‘bout some Quincy Acy?
Hope he continues to grab his chance and we can see his game blossom.
I agree with others – I like that he has a role and he demonstrates proficiency there. Give him the minutes and see if he can nuance.
One of my favorite things about his game is how much his teammates are looking for him. That speaks loudest to me.
In the world of Joneses- Colby, Mason, Mark – Isaac, #17.is easily my favorite.
I like Ike.
Akis – do you still have that Ike hot tub pic? Different Ike, same sentiment.
Ask and ye shall receive
Lol Tyrese Halliburton playing catch up.
You don’t disappoint!
Given his lack of profile up to last summer, one hell of a pull to get him into the tent.
I can’t wait for him to play himself into a spot in the rotation only for him to have a bad game or two and never be heard from again.
#darnyoucoachbrown
#shakesfistatsky
He has been a nice breath of fresh air, for sure, tho. This team lacks hustle until someone finally pisses Foxy off enough to light a fire under his ass, then the whole team goes “oh, yeah…” like the kool-aid man and remembers who the hell they are. Its nice having a player or two who have that built in and don’t need an external motivator.
His life story might be the best part about him and makes me want to root for him even more. Has any NBA player had a harder path? The guy played on a crappy public high school team, no AAU, and was dong unskilled labor at 18. He gets a chance opportunity at a JC and has turned it into a possible NBA career.
You compare his story to Marvin Bagley and it makes you wonder how NBA elites evaluate talent.
It’s like he values the opportunity and knows it can be gone in an instant if he doesn’t work his tail off. Unlike Bagley (and others), who might have some sense of entitlement that they deserve to be their and they don’t think they need to work hard.
Very Dennis Rodman like (the history, not the game). Now, if Isaac Jones shows up wearing a wedding dress at a presser (not that there is anything wrong with that) – well… maybe there’s a HoF-er in there. Ya’ nevah know, ya’ know?
I still do not understand how a 6’9” wing went undrafted. I get he’s like 24, but those general measurements are, essentially, the IDEAL player. Even if he’s not a sharpshooter, the defense and hustle mixed with the size and college stats he has, it shocks me that no one would draft him in the 2nd round. I bet every team has an end of bench player worse than him, and you’re telling me no one drafted him? Crazy
I think of what Boogie Ellis would be like too. He produced in college, but maybe he doesn’t have the size for his position? But like you said, there are probably more on rosters that should not be on rosters, while guys like Isaac Jones are stuck behind higher draft picks or players with more accolades.
Them letting Boogie Ellis go overseas was a travesty. He could’ve easily taken Mason Jones spot
Yup. Mason or Isaiah Crawford.
This bad player or that bad player?
All players in the summer league are good basketball players. Not all are NBA players. Some NBA caliber players have no chance for other reasons. Boogie vs. Mason vs. Crawford vs. Colby vs. whoever. The fringe players are all so replaceable.
That’s what people claimed about Isaac Jones, the player making the most of an opportunity we are currently taking about. People like you thought he shouldn’t get this chance cause he was undrafted. Boogie never got a chance, you can’t claim he sucks without, you know, evidence he failed for a chance he was never given
Isaac Jones made the team. He did something right. I never said he does not deserve a chance.
People like me?
I do claim that in the NBA world Boogie sucks. Boogie had the exact same chance Isaac had.
Do you think Boogie may decide on his own to go over seas?
Boogie got and is still getting more of a chance from the Kings organization than any other NBA team has been willing to offer.
I agree fully with this. Unless a player with potential is given a real chance in NBA games nobody knows for sure. And anybody who says they know is lying.
Some players rise to it, like Keon has and it is looking like Isaac Jones will. Others (most) play their way out of the chance, seems like Colby Jones is headed that way.
So how many can be on a roster?
I don’t know. I am willingly ignorant on most of the two-way, roster, contract, cap, etc., rules. When the chats get overly involved with this stuff I glaze over and move on to something else.
I watch all the games and focus on the play and I have played and coached enough team sports in my life to recognize talent and potential.
Talent is talent, doesn’t matter if they are highly praised prospects, walk-ons, drafted or undrafted. Isaac is making the most of his opportunity, and someone in the basketball operations department saw the talent.
Having cheap contracts that can contribute is more and more important for teams as these max/supermax contracts take up such a huge portion of the cap now.
100% and if they are coachable, hard workers with chips on their shoulders even better.
A small guard from the G league is all this team needs to win.
Maybe, maybe not. If he proves himself there and deserves a chance then we should find out and not guess
He has not earned a starting position on the G-League squad and his stats are at best middling.
So he isn’t earning his chance for any NBA minutes, same as most G Leaguers
I can’t bet on it, but IF Boogie Ellis has the ability and the temerity, he will find his way to play in the NBA.
I think his draft position was undermined by having a teammate at USC that received all the attention, and was drafted at #55 by another team in the team in the Pacific Division. Just off timing. I agree, Boogie is a baller.
Boogie is playing down in Stockton where he’s been rather average. Mason Jones has arguably been the best player down there.
Thank you, there was someone who got cut and went overseas. We’ve also seen Mason Jones get Kings minutes. So while he may look good in Stockton, we’ve seen what Mason does with the pro team, and no thanks
You can easily go to Stockton and watch Boogie and Mason have their opportunity. The same opportunity that is given to the vast majority of summer league players, drafted or not drafted.
The rest of us wanting the Kings to win instead of simply seeing Boogie in a Kings jersey.
Boogie Ellis isn’t overseas, he’s playing for Stockton.
Easy mistake, Stockton is a third-world country.
NBA GM’s covet 6-9 guys who are athletic, who try to defend and who hit the 3 ball. In SL he took a few threes, made less than a few. Right now, he does not take them (maybe 2-3) and should not.
Kings should take what they get here. Other teams will scout him and find weaknesses- like make him dribble or make a decision.
But if he reacts and does not try to overthink it, there is some hope.
I believe this is what has hurt Keon lately- too much deliberation.
The league has a book of knowledge on Keon now. It is not easy to overcome.
You’re back. Where you been? Thought you got traded to the Lakers. I’ve missed you.
I recorded the Rockets version of last night’s Kings game. It didn’t take many plays for them to start noticing and complimenting Isaac.
Here are a few of the announcers comments, many made in the 3rd quarter:
“Jones is not overly tall but he had no hesitation taking on Adams in the low post for that bucket.”
”He is making a difference, he has springy legs and long arms that allow him to play bigger than his actual size.” The color announcer’s reply – “He looks pretty big to me. He is moving Rockets players around the basket and out hustling them to the 50-50 balls”.
”He is taking the game to the Rockets front line and is playing really well for a Two Way”.
”Jones running the floor for a full
length pass for a flush. He is exactly what the Kings need in toughness and physicality and rim protection. That’s the third altered or blocked shot in this rotation on the floor.
He is a real problem because he hustles on every play.”
One of my favorite dunks of the season in the entire NBA was Isaac in the Spurs game, I think that was the game, jumping up as two Spurs and Isaac were trying to snag a rebound of a Kings missed shot. He half way snatched the rebound and half way stole the ball at the same instant from the two Spurs at the Apex of the ball coming off the rim and in one fluid movement kept the ball high turned to his right before coming down from the rebound and jammed the ball. Two excellent very athletic moves in one play. He is a player.
His arm length and how hard he works reminds me of a franchise player from a long time ago. Sam Lacey. Sam was a center in a centers game but gave everything he had the whole game. Isaac has the advantage of a different NBA and his offensive upside is enhanced as a result. Isaac and Sam each have/had very long arms.
Fun to watch this player develop in front of our eyes.
One of those same announcers also thought Doug McDermott of the Sacramento Kings made a 3-pointer late in the 4th when it was, in fact, Aaron Holiday of the Houston Rockets. I won’t mention any names. They also celebrated the fact that Mike Brown doesn’t write up offensive schemes and leaves it to the players to make plays on the court. Again, I won’t mention any names.
I will name names. Kayte Christensen. When she made the McDermott call, I did a double take, lol. It was rockets ball, and Holiday made the shot. She wasn’t even close, haha.
Made me double take too LOL
Some really nice quotes there, HJP. Sounds like HOU has a good broadcasting team.
But did they have any stale sayings or calls that are used every single game?
Also, did they talk over the action for multiple possessions?
Hobby, they really whined about Sengun ploughing into Keegan (I think it was Keegan) and called him out for instigating the charging foul on Sengun. No talking over each other though.
Sengun has a flippy floppy game – his arms and legs and torso seem to dance in multiple directions, and that is a very difficult defensive assignment and thus, also difficult to officiate.
So much talent in such a large body. Sengun is something else, and he jumps about as high as Brad Miller. (maybe I shouldn’t use high and Brad Miller in the same sentence)
Appreciate you including those quotes JP. I couldn’t decide which broadcast to listen to and chose the Kings.
Interesting comp with Sam Lacey. He is one of the centers from that time that could really be effective today, much the same way Bam Adebayo is. Not tall for a center, but Sam was strong, and like you pointed out, he had those long arms and was a very good athlete. Great rebounder, great defensive player, and could really run an offense from the free throw line much like Domas does.
Was at the Spurs game and totally impressed by Isaac. The steal in the air and dunk had everyone on their feet. Yes, one of the best dunks all year!!!
It was magical Zorcon. I have it on my DVR. I have watched it five or six times. It’s an all time dunk this year. Never got a mention on NBA TV. That is what happens to sub. .500 teams, they are sent to Devils Island.
That play made me sit up and say to my TV “Well what might we have here?”
A good reminder that effort and energy are skills, just as much as 3 point shooting and ball handling are skills.
OT: This is an outstanding breakdown by Deuce. Well worth the watch of how the Kings broke open in the 3rd quarter with the same action over and over again. Hat tip to Keegan for doing a lot of the dirty work.
Kings legend
Marvelous. TY Terzo!
No problems. I call this Isaac The-Putback Jones 🙂
This play is not even in NBA Top 10 play is a disrespect…
Of course, it’s all because Jones is a undrafted player
Badge Legend