Cavs' Jones Is A World Beater

Peripatetic Guard Hits Winning Shot

Damon Jones's professional basketball career started with the Black Hills Posse of the International Basketball Association and the Jacksonville Barracudas of the United States Basketball League. Part III of his modest minor league tour came in 1998, with the Idaho Stampede of the Continental Basketball Association.

"Nobody knew who he was," said Ira Newble, a teammate in Boise. "And he would say he was the best shooter in the world. And he believed that, he always believed that. In the world, not just the minor leagues, in the world."

Several members of the Cleveland Cavaliers recounted such stories last night, shortly after Jones's picture-perfect jump shot late in overtime silenced Verizon Center and ended the Washington Wizards' season. The Cavs said Jones has described that corner jump shot as a layup for a player of his caliber. They said Jones frequently discusses his world supremacy. LeBron James, in a fit of enthusiasm, said Jones has called himself the best shooter in the universe.

"No, not the universe," Jones said. "The world's enough."

For five games in this series, though, the best shooter in the world was sitting on the bench. In Game 5, Jones -- one of two Cavaliers to play in all 82 regular season games -- was on the court for four seconds. Through five games, he had shot the ball twice.

"I mean, it was definitely frustrating," said Jones, who signed with the Cavaliers, his 10th NBA team, last fall. "But you know, I'm a professional, and I came here for a reason and that was to win basketball games. And thus far throughout the series, I hadn't been playing, but we were up 3-2 so what can I say?"

So the player who is always talking didn't say much, even as he sat on the bench for all of regulation last night. With 14.1 seconds remaining in overtime, he entered the game for the first time.

"I just had a gut feeling that I wanted to rotate Damon Jones into the lineup for that last possession," Coach Mike Brown said.

James had the ball on the final play, but he was double teamed. He passed to Larry Hughes, who sent the ball to Jones in the corner. After less than 10 seconds of action, Jones hit the biggest shot of the series.

"You know, a rookie's not going to make that shot," Cleveland General Manager Danny Ferry said. "He had to take a kick in the ego a little bit this whole series. He did it, he stayed ready and we're going to the next round because of it."

Jones's mouth is often as electric as his flamboyant wardrobe, and with a massive audience last night he was in fine form. He was asked how he could throw up a shot like that before breaking a sweat.

"I didn't throw it, I shot it," he said. "Great form."

He was asked about his confidence level after not taking a meaningful shot in five days.

"No fear," he said. "No fear."

He was asked about his success in this building; he scored 19 points last season as the Miami Heat polished off the Wizards in Game 4 of the second round.

"Well, you know, I closed the MCI Center down," Jones said. "And the place that you guys knew as the Verizon Center is no more."

And his teammates, as they often do, listened to Jones and laughed.

"I've got to keep giving him his credit," Drew Gooden said. "He's the best shooter in the world right now."