coined
05-22-2016, 12:18 PM
http://www.sbnation.com/nba/2016/5/22/11735662/cavaliers-raptors-dahntay-jones-bismack-biyombo
Jones, one of Cleveland's deepest bench players, entered in garbage time and found himself matched up against Biyombo, who has been absolutely critical for Toronto since the loss of Jonas Valanciunas. Perhaps this was accidental, as Jones does appear to be flailing a bit. But if this was an accident, it's awfully convenient that it happened literally four seconds after Jones entered the game. And Jones has a bit of a history.
Who won the rebound didn't matter, but the ramifications of a dickpunch could be. Let's say Biyombo got upset that somebody punched him in his groin, and made a rash decision to swing back. Jones and Biyombo each get suspended for Game 4. The Cavs would be fine going forward without their 15th man, while the Raptors' already thin frontcourt would be thinned even more.
Dahntay Jones is not on the Cavaliers to serve a basketball purpose. He was signed on April 13, the day of the meaningless final game of Cleveland's regular season. Heading into the most meaningful part of the NBA season, Cleveland had an empty spot on their roster. By signing anybody, they could reduce the risk of a good player missing important basketball due to an injury suffered playing unimportant basketball, like the season finale or playoff garbage time.
So what type of player did they try to get with that 15th spot?
Did they need a young player who could develop into something meaningful down the line? No. It's time for the Playoffs. If the Cavs wanted to work on a project, they would've signed him in October.
Did they need a backup center, in case something happens to one of their big men? No, they already have those. At this point Timofey Mozgov is their third-string center, which I suppose makes Sasha Kaun their fourth-string center. They don't need a fifth-string.
Did they need a strong veteran voice in the clubhouse with playoff experience to keep the team centered in the most important part of the year? The Cavs already have Richard Jefferson and Mo Williams and James Jones. They're building a nursing home down on the end of the bench.
Jones, one of Cleveland's deepest bench players, entered in garbage time and found himself matched up against Biyombo, who has been absolutely critical for Toronto since the loss of Jonas Valanciunas. Perhaps this was accidental, as Jones does appear to be flailing a bit. But if this was an accident, it's awfully convenient that it happened literally four seconds after Jones entered the game. And Jones has a bit of a history.
Who won the rebound didn't matter, but the ramifications of a dickpunch could be. Let's say Biyombo got upset that somebody punched him in his groin, and made a rash decision to swing back. Jones and Biyombo each get suspended for Game 4. The Cavs would be fine going forward without their 15th man, while the Raptors' already thin frontcourt would be thinned even more.
Dahntay Jones is not on the Cavaliers to serve a basketball purpose. He was signed on April 13, the day of the meaningless final game of Cleveland's regular season. Heading into the most meaningful part of the NBA season, Cleveland had an empty spot on their roster. By signing anybody, they could reduce the risk of a good player missing important basketball due to an injury suffered playing unimportant basketball, like the season finale or playoff garbage time.
So what type of player did they try to get with that 15th spot?
Did they need a young player who could develop into something meaningful down the line? No. It's time for the Playoffs. If the Cavs wanted to work on a project, they would've signed him in October.
Did they need a backup center, in case something happens to one of their big men? No, they already have those. At this point Timofey Mozgov is their third-string center, which I suppose makes Sasha Kaun their fourth-string center. They don't need a fifth-string.
Did they need a strong veteran voice in the clubhouse with playoff experience to keep the team centered in the most important part of the year? The Cavs already have Richard Jefferson and Mo Williams and James Jones. They're building a nursing home down on the end of the bench.