SAN ANTONIO — Tre Jones spent five-plus seasons wearing Spurs black and silver, learning the history of the organization.
The Bulls guard has also spent the last few years in Chicago, and doing so as a football fan of the Bears and quarterback Caleb Williams.
Those two worlds collided as Jones found himself stuck going between historian and politician on Monday.
There’s been a lot made of the “Iceman” nickname the last week, especially since in San Antonio there was only one “Iceman:” NBA legend George Gervin.
Williams tried to hijack the nickname and claim the legal copyright, which didn’t sit well in many circles, including with Gervin.
Jones has two horses in the race so was guarded on how he approached the entire saga.
“Yeah, the ‘Iceman,’ “ Jones said when Gervin’s name was mentioned. “George Gervin was a pioneer for basketball. Obviously, not only for (the Spurs) franchise, but the entire NBA as well. He pushed the envelope in so many ways.
“I think that as long as ‘The Iceman’ nickname isn’t disrespected and it’s kept as a sign of respect to George Gervin … you know it’s a new eras, a new generation, names can keep flying around like that.”
Williams has been courtside for several Bulls games since being drafted by the Bear two years ago, and that hasn’t gone unnoticed by Bulls players. That’s why as much as Jones respects the tradition and history of San Antonio, he admittedly offered up support in what the quarterback was attempting to do.
“I like Caleb a lot,” Jones said. “He had a great year this year and the ‘Iceman’ nickname was really cool. I support that as well, but as long as there’s the respect that George Gervin deserves with it.”
More on Jones
Gervin wasn’t the only topic Jones had to address before the Spurs game, either.
Like his older brother, Tyus, Jones played at Duke, still bleeds Devils blue, and was horrified in watching his alma mater become the first team to break a 134-game streak for No. 1 seeds losing after leading by at least 15 points at the half.
“That was a tough one for sure,” Jones said. “Last year was tough, missing free throws and the turnover at the end of the game, but this year, up 19 … I was back at the hotel with my family and it was definitely tough.
“I always back them. I think this is setting them up for something down the line for sure. (Coach Jon) Scheyer has been to three straight Elite Eights now, Final Four last year, obviously moments away from a Final Four this year, so I think whatever is happening is just preparing them for the future for sure.”
Fixer-upper
There are a lot of positives Bulls coach Billy Donovan has seen from Leonard Miller so far this season.
The high-energy forward came over in the Ayo Dosunmu trade with Minnesota and has worked his way into a rotation player, evening earning starting time.
There is a next step to his game, however, and that’s what Donovan wants to see.
“It’s just like the detail of who’s he guarding, what coverage is he in, who is in the action with him, when is he switching?” Donovan said. “Those are things that are happening fast where he can get caught there several times. We’ve got to help him get better.”
Despite what executive vice president Arturas Karnisovas says and believes, the NBA is about collecting talent and getting that talent as high as possible in the draft. That’s why the Bulls’ only focus for the rest of the season should be locking down the best draft odds they can.
It might have been a good day to tank, especially with the Bucks losing hours earlier, but Bulls coach Billy Donovan still is trying to win games and identify which of his players have that same mindset.
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