3 skills that have Herb Jones on the brink of stardom
By Matt Alquiza
3. Lock down defense
"Elite defensive potential as a switchable player."
"Good rim protection. There’s small-ball center potential in him."
"Headsy off-ball player who understands proper angles when fighting around screens or defending the pick-and-roll. He recognizes opponent actions to make proper rotations, and with his length and athleticism he frequently racks up blocks and steals."
Those three quotes come from Kevin O'Connor's draft guide. He nailed Jones' defensive impact.
The team's defensive rating during Jones' near 30 minutes of court time per night is at 110.6. That matches the Boston Celtics' team mark which is good for second in the NBA. Jones is the hub of an elite defensive unit.
The Pelicans don't consistently run out a defensive difference-maker outside of Jones. CJ McCollum, Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram, and Jonas Valanciunas all sport some iniquities on defense. Jones is the jack-of-all-trades piece that holds the team defense together.
Herb Jones' defensive prowess was on full display in the team's first action after the All-Star break. Jones accounted for seven steals in a win against the Rockets. A career high for Jones, and the most steals by a player in a single game this season.
No, Herb Jones didn't literally save my life. Truthfully, Herb Jones has never saved anyone's physical life (as far as I'm aware). Herb Jones' rise has saved the Pelicans this season, and the team's future prospects may lie on the shoulders of one that has developed rapidly into a key contributor.