Former Heat forward Jones retires to Suns job
Therewas amoment former Heat forward James Jones realized hewas going to become more than just a basketball player. It was during a conversation with his mother, Jennifer, about 25 years ago.
Jones, then a high school freshman, approached his mom about his academic struggles. He told her his grade in social studieswas a C because he was focused too much on basketball.
“At that point, she wasn’t really trying to hear anything else,” Jones said. “She said,Y`ou have two alternatives. You can get straight A’s and play basketball or you can quit basketball and get straightA’s but those are your only two options.’ Fromthat point on, itwasn’t just good enough to be a great basketball player.”
With James announcing his retirement after 14 NBA seasons Wednesday, he proved that when he was promptly named the Phoenix Suns’ vice president of basketball operations. James, whoplayed six seasons in Miami from 2008-2013, ended a threetime champion and appeared in seven consecutive NBA Finals, the last three with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
“It was time,” said Jones, a South Florida native who also played for the Miami Hurricanes and lives in Southwest Ranches. “I played a long time. I’m not a young guy. I’m young by the world’s standards. I’m not a young guy by basketball terms. … I knew at some point I’d have to let it go. I wanted it to be onmy terms and I wanted it to be at a point I could be at peace withmy basketball career.”
Jones has long had ties with the Suns, playing in Phoenix from 2005-07. Despite the short stint, he earned the early praise of Suns owner Robert Sarver. It wasn’t only for his shooting but also his attitude off the court.
“James and I developed a good relationship when he was here,” Sarver said. “Not only talking about basketball but we were both finance majors in college … James has put together a very impressive resume in the NBA, both on the court with three championships to his credit and also off the court … He’s very respected around the league.”
Jones will serve as a highlevel executive in Phoenix. Among the reasons he was chosen for the created positionwas hiswork as a representative for the NBA Players’ Association.
“He’ll be assisting Robert and I on all basketball-related matters, whether that will be evaluating potential trades, looking at free-agent signings, evaluating players from the draft and also working with our coaching staff, our training staff to put the best team possible on the floor,” Suns general manager RyanMcDonough said.
For Jones, the opportunity just adds to his story of developing into a secondround draft pick at UM to steady NBA player and now to the front-office.
“This is kind of like a destiny fulfilled for me,” Jones said. “I’ve been a part of some great teams. I’ve been a part of some amazing championship runs and those are the hardest things to do in professional sports, and that’s to win a title. When the opportunity presented itself to be a part of the Suns family again … I’m excited to be here because the future is bright. It seems like a perfect place to really investmy energy.”
srichardson@ sun-sentinel.com; On Twitter @shandelrich