Blazers’ chemistry feels like alchemy

On the NBA

By kerry eggers

The Portland Tribune, Jan 11, 2008, Updated Oct 30, 2009 (4 Reader comments)

Blazer James Jones drives to the basket against Golden State on Wednesday, a game Portland won 109-91. After 176 wins playing with Indiana and Phoenix, Jones says his current team stands out in its completeness and all-around talent: “With us, you don’t know who it’s going to be to lead us that night.”

JAIME VALDEZ / TRIBUNE PHOTO

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James Jones played on an Indiana team that won 61 games and on Phoenix teams that won 115 games the past two seasons. He has played with Reggie Miller and Jermaine O’Neal, with Steve Nash and Amare Stoudemire.

But Jones says the Trail Blazers are “by far” the deepest team of which he has been a member.

“I’ve played on teams with some really great players, some established players who have done remarkable things in this league,” the sharpshooting small forward says. “I’ve never played on a complete team like ours is, where you have 12 guys giving it up for each other, and someone new stepping up every night.

“Phoenix played eight or nine guys, but you knew the three guys who were going to get touches every night. With us, you don’t know who it’s going to be to lead us that night.”

• While playing 232 games – 55 as a starter – in his first four NBA seasons, Jones shot .395 from the field and .385 from 3-point range.

This season, the 6-8 Jones is .523 from the field and an NBA-best .539 on 3-pointers.

“It’s about consistency of opportunity,” says Jones, who is averaging a career-high 23 minutes. “In previous seasons, there were a lot of games where I would come in and get seven shots. The next game I might get one, or I might only get one shot for the next four games.

“Here I’ve been able to get five, six, seven shots every night. You get into a rhythm, and you can make four of seven shots. When you get inconsistent minutes it’s kind of tough.”

Jones is shooting .896 from the foul line. If he had enough attempts to qualify, he would rank among the league’s top five. His secret?

“Repetition,” he says. “Shoot so many times, it becomes second nature and you feel like you can’t miss. It’s a routine. Walk to the line, dribble two times and take your shot. If you do that, it doesn’t matter what the circumstance you’re in, it’ll be the same result.”

• Portland begins a seven-game road trip Sunday at Toronto. Coach Nate McMillan doesn’t remember if he has ever had a seven-game trip before, either as a coach or player. The Blazers had a six-game trek in December last season and went 4-2, beating Detroit, Toronto, Philadelphia and Memphis.

“There are a few other teams with seven-game trips this season,” McMillan says. “If everybody else is doing it, you have to do it. But a 12-day trip seems a bit long to me.”

The Blazers have their work cut out for them, with stops at Boston, Orlando and New Orleans. Portland has won 12 in a row at home and is 17-3 here, but only 5-10 away from the Rose Garden.

• Steve Blake is quietly enjoying a career season. The oft-reluctant-to-shoot point guard ranks fifth in the NBA in assist/turnover ratio (3.51) and is sixth in 3-point percentage (.473).

Over the past dozen games, Blake is 44 of 79 (.557) on treys.

• Grudgingly, the Blazers are gaining respect around the league.

“There’s still no comparison when you’re talking about a team like San Antonio,” Golden State guard Monta Ellis said after the Blazers laid waste to the Warriors on Wednesday night. “But if they keep playing like they did tonight, they’ll get there real soon.”

• Don Nelson admits to surprise that the Blazers have run off their 17-1 streak – second-best one-loss streak in franchise history – especially without the services of Greg Oden.

“I am surprised just a little bit,” Golden State’s veteran coach says. “It wouldn’t have surprised me had their No. 1 pick not been out all year. Without him, to do what they’ve done is remarkable.

“They’re right in (the playoff race). They’ve played a lot of home games, but they’ve won them all. The road is going to be a test for them, but I would expect them to do well.”

• Even after Martell Webster torched Utah for 24 third-quarter points last Saturday, he wasn’t a household name with at least one member of the Jazz.

“It was tough when what’s-his-name got hot,” reserve Matt Harpring said, intending no disrespect.

• When Nate McMillan was named Western Conference coach of the month for December, it was the second time in his eight years as a head coach he was been so honored. He won the award while with Seattle in November 2004.

• McMillan understands that the odds are against Brandon Roy being named to the All-Star game this year.

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