The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Cavaliers eager for Dahntay Jones to add fire in playoffs
The Cavaliers need a spark to ignite them in the playoffs — there is no doubt about that — and they are hoping Dahntay Jones can provide it.
Jones, 36, did not join the Cavaliers until the morning of the last game of the season on April 12. It was the last day NBA teams could sign players and have them eligible for the playoffs. He scored nine points and grabbed two rebounds in the 98-83 loss to the Toronto Raptors, the Cavs’ likely foe in the second round of the playoffs.
The Cavaliers, 51-31, could have signed Jones sooner. They could have kept him of out training camp instead of keeping DeAndre Liggins. Had general manager David Griffin made that decision, maybe the Cavs wouldn’t have gone into a 7-10 tailspin in March. Or maybe they wouldn’t be skidding into the first-round matchup with the Indiana Pacers on April 15 at Quicken Loans Arena on a four-game losing streak. Liggins was cut on April 9 to create the roster spot Jones filled.
“I think what Dahntay is is the voice we needed in the locker room,” Griffin said. “My fault. I think we underestimated the amount that really mattered. He was a big part of what we did in the playoffs (last year) because there was never any slippage. No matter who you are, Dahntay is going to make it clear that you’re not holding up your end of the bargain. We missed that.”
It is rare a bench player
who might see less than 10 minutes a game has the leadership Jones has, but in the case of the 12-year veteran, it is nonetheless true.
Jones played most of the 2015-16 season with Grand Rapids in the D-League. The Cavs signed him on April 13, 2016, in nearly identical circumstances to this year.
He played 42 minutes in a 112-110 loss to the Detroit Pistons.
Jones was impactful in the NBA playoffs last year without posting dazzling numbers. He punched Toronto’s Bismack Biyombo in the groin in the final minute of Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals. He was suspended for Game 4 in Toronto and the Cavs lost that game, but they won the next two — Game 5 in Cleveland and Game 6 in Toronto.
“He brings some toughness and a physicality and a little nasty, which we need at times,” Coach Tyronn Lue said. “So it’s just great to have him back.
“He was good for what we stood for as a team. The morale was always up having him around. We just figured having a guy like Dahntay, who came into the NBA Finals — he didn’t play the whole playoffs — and give us the lift he gave us, was big for us. Coming back, things that happened to our roster at the end, we just felt Dahntay was a good fit for us.”
Jones played a key role in Game 6 of the Finals last year when the Cavs got in foul trouble. He finished with five points, one rebound and one blocked shot in a game the Cavs won, 115101. He did not play in Game 7.
“I have a lot of great friends in this locker room and guys I care about,” Jones said. “Stayed in contact with basically everyone from last year’s team. Those guys would lean on me for different situations at times throughout the season and I was there for them.
“I’m happy to be back with my guys again as we go on our stretch to win another championship. I pride myself on being a teammate first, keeping everybody upbeat, everybody focused. I work hard and train hard. When I get my opportunity, I’m going to try to make an impression and make it last.”
Jones did not play in the D-League as he did last season. He said he stayed in shape by playing about three games a week hoping this opportunity would arrive.