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Wednesday, March 7, 2001
Jones facing several weeks on sideline
Associated Press
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MIAMI – Long accustomed to playing short-handed, the Miami
Heat are confident they can cope with the loss of guard Eddie
Jones.
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| Jones |
The Heat's leading scorer dislocated his left shoulder in
Monday's victory over Detroit and will likely be sidelined several
weeks. Coach Pat Riley said he's optimistic Jones can return before
the end of the regular season April 18.
Jones was placed on the injured list Wednesday.
"It's disappointing for us and for him," Riley said Tuesday.
"But we will keep on. ...I think we're resilient enough to overcome anything. Hard
work, resiliency and toughness are what you have to have. It's time
now for other guys to step up."
Despite the season-long absence of All-Star center Alonzo
Mourning with a kidney ailment, the Heat are 37-24 and just one
game behind last year's pace, when they won their fourth
consecutive Atlantic Division title.
Jones came to Miami last August in a nine-player trade with
Charlotte that had Heat fans speculating about a possible NBA
title. Mourning's ailment was discovered two months later and, with
Jones now joining him on the bench, the Heat may struggle to hang
onto their third-place spot in the Eastern Conference.
"It's the same situation as with Zo," swingman Bruce Bowen
said. "If we cry about it, what good is that going to do?"
Jones hurt his shoulder when he tried to strip the ball from
Corliss Williamson. He was taken off the court in a stretcher and
spent the night in the hospital. The shoulder will be immobilized
for 8-10 days, Riley said.
Jones, who said he expects to have surgery in the offseason, remained optimistic.
"I know I'm coming back and will play this season, so it's not
depressing. ...I'm just upset that something like this happened,"
he said. "I was starting to feel better and get my stroke back."
Jones suffered a similar injury as a rookie six years ago and
missed 18 games. The Heat have 21 regular-season games remaining.
His 18.1 points per game may be impossible to replace. Riley
said he'll likely go with a smaller lineup and rely more on
forward-center Brian Grant for offense. The extra playing time will
be divided among Dan Majerle, Ricky Davis, Anthony Carter, Eddie
House, Cedric Ceballos and perhaps Don MacLean.
Davis, acquired in the blockbuster trade with Charlotte, likely
will make his Miami debut Wednesday against Dallas. Davis has been
sidelined all season by a broken foot but returned to practice
nearly a month ago and could help pick up the scoring slack.
"I feel comfortable," he said. "Offense is not a real big
problem for me."
Majerle, 35, has missed 28 games himself because of injuries.
Now he may move into the starting lineup even though he's shooting
just 31 percent.
"Dan is remarkable," Riley said. "He is playing the game as
well as anybody we have on the team. He might not be making shots,
but he's playing the game the way I want it played. He helps our
team so much."
Grant, playing out of position at center because of Mourning's
absence, will again be required to adjust his game and become more
offensive-minded. He's third on the team with an average of 15.3
points per game.
"We've just got to go through it all over again," Grant said.
"It's a team that has been through a lot this year. It has
definitely been a character-building year." Send this story to a friend | Most sent stories
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ALSO SEE
Nowitzki spurs Mavs in victory over Heat
Eddie Jones dislocates shoulder in Heat victory; out 7-10 days
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