I completely agree RBF. I noticed it a few games ago and it has held true. It forces teams out of their defensive game plan and then everyone else can get to work. Jones has been on a constant uptick this season--despite his shooting woes from 3 and the charity stripe.
His fg attempts continue to increase and his fg% is solid for a guy who scores in every way imaginable--inside/outside, assisted/unassisted, dunks, hooks, jumpers...he does it all.
In his last four games, Terrence Jones has shot a combined 15-19 (79%) in the first quarter most of which has come in the paint. I chalk this one up to the coaches. They recognized a way to exploit the opposing team. Let's see how long it lasts. Compare that to 6 total shots in the fourth quarters of the same games going 4-6 from the field (he took zero shots in the Phoenix game so those actually came in 3 games). Clearly the usg rate plummets, but he is still efficient and effective.
Rahat, I agree that trusting Jones in a playoff series against the likes of a Blake Griffin, Tim Duncan, Zach Randolph, LaMarcus Aldridge, Dirk, Love...ugh, the list is daunting....that trusting Jones against these guys is difficult. I fully expect him to get roasted by these guys. That's what they do. It's ok. He'll learn from it. He's got the tools and needs to develop them. Besides, he will give them their own problems on the other end. His confidence on offense is pretty high right now and he seems to have a green light from McHale in all aspects of the offense--even bringing the ball up court. You think Randolph, Duncan, Aldridge, or Dirk want to chase him around all game? No way.
Like you said, he is young and I believe he shows no signs of having hit his ceiling. I agree, the scouting reports on him are not out, but given his all-around game and skill-set he should be able to continue being effective. There will probably be a learning curve as he has to adapt and adjust to what defenses are doing to him--but that's true for nearly all players.
I disagree that Houston's window is 3 years, but that is up to fate not me. I have already said in another thread that I wouldn't trade him for anyone not named Anthony Davis right now (ignoring salary constraints). I hold true to that. I think keeping Jones for the next 10+ years has more value than losing him for Millsap, Love, or Aldridge (presuming these are the main targets). When you factor in everything--salary, age, usg % and fitting that in with Harden/Howard/Parsons plus what kind of production do we get at that reduced usg%...it all makes me believe Terrence Jones will be manning the PF position in Houston for the next 10-12 years and....bold prediction...will wind up with his jersey hanging in the rafters next to Harden, Parsons, Lin and Howard. (ya know, cuz we won all them championships)