Houston Rockets: Terrence Jones, Unexpected Hero

A week into the 2014-15 regular season, we look at the unforseen rise and what to expect from Houston Rockets‘ newest hero, Terrence Jones.

The Houston Rockets seem — so far — to have struck gold with Trevor Ariza‘s replacement of Chandler Parsons, however, it is Terrence Jones’ break-out performance which has given the Rockets a critical edge over their peers in the Western Conference.

As the Oklahoma City Thunder struggle to keep their playoff hopes alive, Jones’ breakout couldn’t have come at a better time.

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With their high-octane, seventh in the league in points per game (105.0), offense and a greater, fourth in the league in opponents points per game (91.5), defensive commitment the new look Rockets loom as a righteous threat in the West.

Behind Dwight Howard‘s and James Harden‘s performances, it is former Washington Wizard Trevor Ariza and former Kentucky Wildcat Terrence Jones leading the pack.

Nevertheless, a near-career season from Ariza was somewhat expected, whereas this big a bump on Terrence Jones’ numbers seems almost accidental.

Here are the Rockets numbers with/without Terrence Jones:

During his third-season in the NBA, the Wildcat prospect is, within the Rockets’ roster, third in minutes played (87 total; 29 minutes per game) behind James Harden (100) and Trevor Ariza (96), and fourth in plus/minus (20.4) amongst players with more than 80 total minutes played.

A similar role to the one he had during the 2013-14 season as he averaged 27.3 minutes per game.

Without Terrence Jones, the Rockets offense falls from a 117.9 to a 91.8 — a 26.1 drop-off — in offensive rating, good enough for the second highest behind James Harden’s (30.9).

With Jones on the floor, the Rockets thrive as they shoot 50.5 percent from the floor and 52.4 percent from beyond-the-arc. Those numbers, when Terrence Jones is off the floor, decrease to 35.9 percent and 34.4 percentrespectively. The Rockets also score 18.1 points per game* less without Terrence Jones on the floor.

A rather improved role as he obliterates his 2013-14 numbers (On: 48.5%, 36.3%; Off: 45.8%; 35.2%).

A defensive liability of sorts, in a weary 82-game season waiting to take on its next victim, Terrence Jones is still an undeniable force within the Rockets that could elevate them into immediate contention as he takes the third-fiddle spot on their much-needed “Big-3”.

Three games into the 2014-15 regular season, as praised as he already is, it would be absurd to make Jones’ case for Most Improved Player in the league, however, that doesn’t mean we can’t drool over his potential ceiling.

Nonetheless, Terrence Jones’ improved play could turn him into a valuable trade chip on Daryl Morey’s book but with Dwight Howard’s sore knee and Patrick Beverley‘s hamstring, it would be in the Rockets’ best interest to keep him around for a while.

After a soft opening to their regular season as they faced the Los Angeles Lakers, Utah Jazz, Boston Celtics, and Philadelphia 76ers, it remains to be seen if their offensive/defensive powers show up against elite competition around the league.

The Rockets’ season starts today as they square off against the Miami Heat with almost-Rocket Chris Bosh at the helm.

* Per 48 minutes.

Next: Houston Rockets: Early Takeaways of the 2014-15 Season