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OAKLAND – The Damian Jones experience has had some ups and downs in the first 19 games of the season, but one side of the game where the Warriors need it to be at least average remains a real handicap .
Jones simply does not bounce with the consistency or rate expected by a top athlete.
The latest example was recorded Wednesday night in a 123-95 loss to Oklahoma City at Oracle Arena. In 21 minutes and 23 seconds, Jones failed to take a rebound. The great thunder Steven Adams killed 11 in 33 minutes.
"He beat me," Jones said. "I have to play with a little more energy in this regard. He had the best of me tonight. I just have to come back. "
Most big, or even good rebounders, have a deep desire for the ball. They like to pick him up. So I asked Jones where he liked to bounce back.
"Yes," he says. "I pursue them on the offensive glass and other things. But sometimes it does not suit you. But just have that mentality to keep attacking. Tonight it just was not there.
[[[[RATTO: Health will solve the problem of warriors]If only it was an infrequent problem. This is not it. Jones played in 19 games of the season with 17 starts. This is the seventh game in which he made two rebounds or less.
"It's a young player and every game is a learning experience," coach Steve Kerr said after the game. "Tonight he was facing one of the best centers of the game. We will stay positive with Damian. He will get better. "
It's the first season of Jones in the NBA. Selected in the first round in 2016, he spent most of his time in his first two seasons with the G-League Santa Cruz, with only 174 minutes of NBA time.
So, yes, it is a learning experience. Jones is probably at least a little better. But it's hard to be as certain, considering that Jones has been so unequal.
Moreover, the rebound is as much a question of anticipation as of skill and desire. The Warriors have three young centers on the list – Jordan Bell, Kevon Looney and Jones. Looney is the least athletic but is clearly the best rebounder. Although playing only 25 seconds longer than Jones on Saturday, Looney had nine shots on goal.
"Loon is one step ahead of (Jones) because he has more years of experience in the league, more experience and than he is naturally a better rebounder, "said Kerr before the game. "He has a nose for the ball."
Jones does not do it unless he goes after a block. His highlights this season are the acrobatic block and the impressive dunks lobs his teammates.
In an ideal world, warriors would create a center from the skills and gifts of Jones and Looney. Jones has size, athleticism and speed. Looney has the ability to feel the game and anticipate what will happen, but is not the size to be effective in the real world.
"It's something we talked about in Damian," Kerr said. "We would like him to be more active on the glass. It means anticipating games and being proactive rather than reactive. "
Last Thursday in Houston, Jones had a rebound in the second half. The next game in Dallas was the first one in which he did not start. His answer, coming off the bench, was to catch seven rebounds, a peak in the season.
But was the exception, rather than the norm.
The coaches were hoping to have more, his teammates would like to see more and Jones himself realizes that this is a test he does not pass.
"I just put myself in a better position," he said. "Sometimes … it's going to look in. Just have that mentality to go out and get it."
I asked Jones what would do to flush this game from his system.
"I'm going home," he said, "participate in a match and get ready for Portland."
The Warriors want Jones to be ready for the Trail Blazers and all the teams thereafter. Until now, this has not been the case. That's why Looney plays as much as him.
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