Jones Holds His Own Vs. Beast From East

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Nobody in the NBA is going to shut down Orlando center Dwight Howard.
Cavaliers coach Mike Brown was anxious to pit backup center Dwayne Jones against the 6-foot-11, 265-pound Howard in last Saturday's preseason game in China. Jones opened some eyes in the organization when he actually held his own against him.
Howard had 17 points and three rebounds in the Magic's 100-84 win. Jones continued to be active on the boards with nine rebounds and four points.
"It was definitely a challenge," Jones said. "He's an All-Star, probably a Hall of Famer. It was definitely good to get out there and test where I am defensively. It was good to get good minutes against a good player.
"He's a physical specimen. I tried to match him physically. He's strong and quick."
With Anderson Varejao in contract limbo, the 6-11, 251-pound Jones has grabbed the backup center job. He's tied with Zydrunas Ilgauskas for the team lead with 8.6 rebounds per game in the preseason.
He came to camp without a guaranteed contract and will be leaving with a job. He'll probably earn a minimum contract worth $687,456.
"I can't sit here and think about that every day," Jones said. "I'm glad I got the opportunity. I don't care how I got that opportunity. I'm just glad I took advantage of it."
He said he thinks he's done enough to earn a job.
Jones, who spent the entire 2006-07 season with the Cavs, might have gotten some offers to play elsewhere.
"This is where I wanted to be, regardless of any offers I had anywhere else. I felt this was the best situation for me, and so far it has been."</div></p>

Source: ZWire</p>