James Jones and Dahntay Jones: the Cavs’ Unsung Heroes

When your roster is as star-studded as the Cleveland Cavaliers, it could be hard for people to realize what each of the 15 players on the roster bring to the team. As a casual fan, you look at the stat sheet and box scores to see the important players. You see the highlights that feature the Big Three, the alley-oops, and big three-pointers, the defensive stops, and even at times, the plays that make players great. But, what you don’t realize is what happens on the bench, in practice, and in the locker room, all of which are when the casual fan isn’t usually watching. James Jones and Dahntay Jones may take up the 13th and 14th roster spot on the Cavs, but their importance to this team is much more than that.

The two may never see a single second of playing time in the Finals, but what they bring to the team doesn’t consist of what they bring on the court or in the stat sheet, it’s what they do as veterans both in the locker room and on the bench that’s proves just how great of teammates they truly are. Many people may not say so themselves, but they were two big components why the Cavs won the NBA championship last June.

Jones is essentially another coach on the bench, a coach that has the experience that allows other players to trust in his judgement because of what he has done throughout his career. Don’t forget, Thursday night may start LeBron James’ seventh-consecutive trip to the Finals, but it is Jones’ seventh-straight trip as well. There’s a reason why James wanted Jones to follow him to Cleveland in 2014, and it’s not because of what he does on the court. Nicknamed Champ, Jones has a championship mindset to help his teammates (and coaches) while watching film, keeping them focused and positive throughout the game, and being that veteran presence in the locker room. When counted on, the sharpshooter can even be counted on to knock down a three as well, which just proves how great of a player he really is.

When the Cavs waived DeAndre Liggins and brought back Dahntay Jones for their postseason run, it was a shock to many. But, with hopes of bringing Cleveland back-to-back NBA titles, the Cavs needed yet another veteran that, while not seeing much playing time, will help the team. He does just that. Whether it’s his energy on the bench, his presence in the locker room, or just being another body on the practice floor who will defend a guy like Kyrie Irving, Jones brings so much to this team that goes unseen.

Looking back, some may forget that the Joneses were even on the Cavs during this time, but they have played a major role in the Cavs championship run in 2016 and this season. Don’t forget, while James Jones can knockdown the three-pointer when called upon, Dahntay Jones scored a very crucial five points in five minutes in a must-win Game 6 last June.

Both Dahntay and James Jones may not fill up the stat sheet, but there’s not stat for what they really bring to this team. It will gone unnoticed by many, but the two have played a major role during the Cavs championship runs the last two years.