Kings' Jones is more than just highlights

Stromile Swift saw it every day.

The explosion, the lift, the power. Dahntay Jones, he would be reminded in practices and games, was on the short list of the NBA's elite athletes.

"He's at the top of that list," the Memphis forward said of his former teammate. "He's up there with the best of them. But if you ask guys who's the best, they won't say him. They will if you say his name, but they won't say him even though guys know who he is."

Which is just fine with Jones.

The Kings guard of one month is still looking for more than the highlight-reel existence, to earn his way into a long-term contract based on his all-around game.

He shrugs when his various YouTube moments become the topic of conversation, from the climbing and conquering of Mount Yao Ming early last season to the ferocious fast-break slam at Washington on Dec. 15 just four games into his time with the Kings. And the Duke product certainly isn't going to talk about Pushup-Gate 2003, when his celebratory workout on the University of Virginia floor after a vicious facial dunk made him the most hated of the Blue Devils.

One Jones hater wrote in a chat room four years ago that he would never last this long, that his act would dry up in the pros. That person added, "I can't wait to see him do pushups around somebody like (Ron) Artest. The obnoxious punk is likely to get beat up an awful lot!"

Raised up is more like it.

"(Jones) kind of brings what I bring to the table," said Artest, the Kings small forward who played with Jones on the club level during high school. "He's a slasher, a bruiser, a rebounder, good defender. He can hit the (jump shot) at times and drives to the hole … . I was surprised he was available (to sign with the Kings)."

When Jones entered free agency last summer, the Memphis Commercial Appeal reported that a qualifying offer of $2.7 million likely would come for Jones. But in an offseason of monumental change (the team was sold, general manager Jerry West retired, and coach Tony Barone Sr. was replaced by Marc Iavaroni), things would change for Jones, too.

There was no offer, and his four-season stint in Memphis ended. He spent nearly all of training camp with Boston before being waived on Oct. 25 and was signed by the Kings on Dec. 10.

Picked 20th by the Celtics in 2003 and traded to Memphis, he spent his first three seasons as a reserve under Hubie Brown and Mike Fratello. There was a brief breakout early last season, when Jones became a starter under Fratello for 25 games before Barone – a former Brown assistant who became the interim coach after Fratello's firing – sent him back to the bench.

Swift said Barone was no fan of Jones, partly because of his prior relationship with Brown.

"I think at times Dahntay didn't really give the attention (in practice) that Hubie wanted," Swift said. "He probably got on Hubie's bad side … . When Tony came, (Jones) felt everything was carried over from when Hubie was there."

There are no such restrictions in Sacramento, where coach Reggie Theus asked for another able body after shooting guard Kevin Martin went down with a groin strain on Dec. 4. Jones has had highlights, but he also has provided a consistent defensive presence on the perimeter and an occasional offensive spark. He had 16 points and eight rebounds, both season highs, in 30 minutes during a 94-93 loss in Chicago on Jan. 5, then followed with 10 points in 10 minutes in Tuesday's win over Orlando.

"That's how you get minutes," Theus said. "Dahntay's done a nice job for us of playing multiple positions."

Jones, who is playing on a non-guaranteed one-year deal worth $626,823, said he'd be just fine signing to stay in Sacramento.

"It's been a great bunch of people, great teammates, and we're all enjoying trying to do something special here," Jones said.

He has, for the most part, the freedom he longed for in Memphis, his defense and athleticism appreciated by Theus.

"My athletic ability and my defensive presence overshadows everything else I do, but I do think I bring more to the table," Jones said. "It's just a matter of being on the floor to show it."

And not just above the rim.

About the writer:

• Call The Bee's Sam Amick, (916) 326-5582. Read his blog at www.sacbee.com/blogs.