James Jones: "Seeing D-Wade Head To Chicago Was Tough"
Former Miami Heat and University of Miami basketball star, and current member of the Cleveland Cavaliers James Jones joined the Big O Show on 560 WQAM to discuss winning the 2016 NBA Championship. He gives us his reaction to Dwyane Wade leaving Miami, talks about how much Miami means to him and a possible return to the Heat.
On guarding Steph Curry:
"Initially we wanted to put two bodies on him, try to switch it as much as possible, be aggressive and deny him the ball. But as the series progressed we just stuck to our principles. Let's stick between him and the basket, let's not allow him to get to his strengths. That team scored in bunches so if you're undisciplined, two or three mistakes can cost you the game."
On Dwyane Wade going to Chicago:
"Seeing D-Wade head to Chicago was tough, as a Miami guy, as a heat player. Everything about Miami is what D-Wade is about. So to see that, it was kinda tough. I've been around the game a long time. You understand that at some point there's a change in guard and ideally you would like it to be one of those situations where you ride off into the sunset. It's a rarity to see guys spend their entire careers some place. Like all things, it'll sting, but you'll move on, people will grow. One things for sure, the games will keep coming and the season will follow another season."
On a possible return to Miami:
"Miami is always open for me. Miami is home. There's a business side and theirs a personal side. I'm always here, this will always be home for me. I'm always open to Miami, but at this stage, it's really about an opportunity to win."
On basketball culture growing in Miami:
"Now you can turn every corner theirs a rec center, basketball camp. Basketball has definitely picked up in Miami, but we all know at the end of the day that the core of Miami, football is that sport. But I'm glad basketball has gained a lot of traction and has continued to gain momentum."