WALTHAM - Perry Jones had heard anything and everything about his draft stock leading up to the 2012 NBA Draft.
But on the night of the draft, Jones watched as he slipped . . . and slipped . . . and slipped. All the way to Pick No. 28, where the Oklahoma City Thunder took him.
But Jones kept a good attitude. He was of the frame of mind that he'd join an already good team and learn from one of the best players in the NBA in Kevin Durant.
It didn't take long, however, for Jones and everybody else to realize there really wasn't much of a role for him on the Thunder. He'd spend most of the first three years of his career on the bench.
Jones played in 38 games his rookie season, averaging 7.4 minutes per game. In his sophomore year, those numbers jumped to 62 games and 12.3 minutes per game. Last year, it looked like Jones was going to break out. He dropped 32 points in the second game of the season, and followed that up with a 20-point game and a 16-point game. Then he injured his knee on Nov.4 against the Raptors. He didn't play for a month, and when he returned he wasn't the same.
By the end of the season, he was barely seeing the court. Jones played a total of 43 games, 13 over the last three months of the season.
“That’s frustrating for anybody, especially having those good games and I was feeling good about myself and confident and then things change," Jones said. "I had my injury and everything came back, things went back to the way they were. It was frustrating, but it has taught me a lot and it’s taught me I can play in this league.”
But not playing much in games didn't stop him from working on his craft. Jones' tenure in Oklahoma City may not have went the way he wanted it to, but he did learn some things about himself.
"A lot actually, but definitely my work ethic – it gets you far," Jones said. "Working hard every day, whether you get minutes or not, whether you are playing or not, whatever the case may be. Just come in and work, that’s something I pride myself on.”
Danny Ainge tweeted on Monday that Jones is looking for new life. He may have found it here in Boston, as he told reporters that he feels like he's being drafted all over again. Jones also admitted he didn't feel he got a fair chance in Oklahoma City. But the past is the past.
"I’m just happy for this fresh new start -- new start, new system, different conference -- just a whole different new start," Jones said. "Hopefully everything works for the best."