Miami Native James Jones Gives HEAT Sweet-Shooting Lift Off Bench

By Dylan BarmmerAdversity is a part of sports. As is repeatedly proving your ability, durability and value.James Jones knows this as well as anyone.Much like fellow Miami native and HEAT veteran Udonis Haslem, the 33-year-old swingman had to endure long periods of sitting and waiting to contribute on the court during the 2013-14 regular season.And much like Haslem, Jones kept himself ready before seizing a late-season opportunity and running – and shooting – with it to earn a key role in the HEAT's rotation at the outset of the 2014 NBA Playoffs.After not playing in 31 consecutive games spanning more than 2 calendar months, the 6-foot-8, 215-pound former University of Miami star saw action in 8 games in March and April. Jones played 25 minutes or more in 5 of those 8 games, scoring at least 8 points and drilling at least 2 3-pointers in each of those 5 games. More importantly, the HEAT won 4 of those 5 games, including 4 straight from March 28 through April 2.All told, Jones averaged 7.5 points, 2.3 rebounds, 0.6 assists, 0.3 steals and 0.3 blocks in 20.8 minutes per game over that 8-game stretch. He hit 20-of-42 field goal attempts, including an exceptional 17-of-34 (an even 50 percent) from behind the 3-point arc.Jones finished his 11th NBA season – and 6th with the HEAT – with averages of 4.9 points, 1.2 rebounds and 0.5 assists in 11.8 minutes per game, appearing in 20 games. Jones, who can play both the small forward and shooting guard positions, even made 6 starts for the HEAT during the regular season.True to his driven and determined nature, Jones wasn't content to merely shine during the stretch run of the regular season.So he came out shooting at the start of the 2014 NBA Playoffs.When given a chance to contribute early and often by HEAT coach Erik Spoelstra in Game 1 of the team's first-round playoff series against the Charlotte Bobcats, Jones seized the opportunity. In big-time fashion.Jones scored 12 points in 14 minutes off the bench in the HEAT playoff opener, drilling 4 of 6 shots, pulling down 3 rebounds, handing out 1 assist and providing a crowd-pleasing and team-lifting spark with his aggression and energy. All of Jones' contributions proved pivotal in a 99-88 win at AmericanAirlines Arena, as did the 1-0 series lead that helped protect home court and set a strong tone for a strong run at a third consecutive NBA Championship.Jones' contributions in Game 2 were less prolific, but he still made a tangible and important impact, scoring 3 points and grabbing 1 rebound in 11 minutes of action. Every contribution from every player ended up counting in that game, which ended in a 101-97 victory over a scrappy and athletic Bobcats team that routinely refused to back down or fade away.In the HEAT's 98-85 Game 3 win in Charlotte, Jones scored 3 points, dished 3 assists, snared 2 steals and blocked 1 shot in 17 active minutes. Jones' 3 assists led all HEAT reserves, and his 2 steals tied for HEAT- and game-highs.Through the first 3 games of the 2014 NBA Playoffs, Jones is averaging 6.0 points, 1.3 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 0.7 steals in 14.0 minutes per game. He's drained 6 of 14 field goal attempts – including 4 of 10 from behind the 3-point arc.This isn't the first time Jones has contributed to a deep HEAT playoff run, either.In the 2011 NBA Playoffs, Jones averaged 6.5 points, 2.5 rebounds and 0.5 steals in 22.7 minutes over 12 games, drilling a remarkable 45.9 percent of his 3-point field goal attempts. When the HEAT won the franchise's second NBA Championship – and their first with LeBron James and Chris Bosh in the fold – to cap the 2012 NBA Playoffs, Jones saw action in 20 games, averaging 2.6 points and 1.0 rebounds in 8.7 minutes per game.When the HEAT repeated as NBA Champions to cap last year's thrilling postseason run, Jones saw action in 9 games, averaging 1.0 points and 0.3 rebounds in 3.7 minutes per game. He also hit 3 of his 4 shots from behind the 3-point arc.Jones' acumen from long range has long been his calling card in the NBA. He routinely torched teams with the long ball during his decorated days with the Hurricanes alongside Darius Rice, and he spent his first two NBA seasons with the Indiana Pacers, honing his deep ball under the tutelage of NBA Hall of Famer and current TV analyst Reggie Miller, who ranks second to only HEAT standout Ray Allen among the greatest 3-point shooters in NBA history.For his part, Jones has averaged 5.7 points in 17.2 minutes over 556 regular-season NBA games, drilling 641 3-point field goals at an exceptional 40.3-percent rate. Jones' most prolific season from long-range came in 2010-11, his third season with the HEAT. Jones played in 81 games and set a career-high with 123 hits from behind the 3-point arc that season, connecting at a sizzling 42.9-percent clip. This season, Jones shot a career-best 51.9 percent from long-range, drilling 28 3-pointers in just 20 games of action.Jones has been even more effective and efficient from behind the arc during his postseason career, which now encompasses an impressive 96 games – including 19 starts. Jones has drilled 70 3-pointers in those 96 games, connecting at a 40.5-percent clip. In 12 games over the past 2 postseasons, Jones has connected on 7 of his 14 attempts from behind the arc – an even more impressive number when you consider he has been in and out of the HEAT's rotation.Jones can also rebound the ball and play tight, aggressive defense when called upon, and his overall insight, experience and knowledge of the game are routinely praised by teammates and coaches alike. Of course, his willingness to continually prepare, practice, study and stay ready – while also supporting his teammates during down times – are valuable assets to any team, and Spoelstra has often compared Jones to a dominating and intimidating "relief pitcher."Both Spoelstra and reigning NBA Finals MVP James have praised Jones for his hot start to these playoffs, with James insisting the proud, professional Miami native – and recent University of Miami Hall of Fame inductee – will be "a key ingredient to our success in this postseason."Just what flavor or degree that ingredient ends up emerging as remains to be seen. But one thing is for sure as the HEAT passionately pursue their third consecutive NBA Championship:Whenever Spoelstra calls Jones' number, he will be ready to go. Ready to do whatever it takes to win.And ready to let it fly from behind the three-point arc.