One of the reasons the Dallas Mavericks are one win away from the Western Conference semifinals is because of the underrated play of Derrick Jones Jr.
The 2020 Slam Dunk Contest champion averages 9.4 points and 4.2 rebounds on 55.9 percent shooting in this playoffs, and he is coming off a superb Game 5 performance on Wednesday where he had 12 points, three rebounds, and three blocks on 5-of-7 shooting from the floor.
This is remarkable for Derrick Jones Jr. because he wasn’t supposed to be here in the first place, as he has bounced around the league and was only signed to a minimum deal by the Dallas Mavericks last summer.
“I was undrafted, I went into situations where I wasn’t supposed to be on the roster or playing,” Jones said after Game 5. “I fought my way into a roster spot and I fought my way into the rotation. I’m (going to) keep fighting until the day I die, that’s just who I am. I always fight and I never give up.”
Luka Doncic retweeted the quote and called Derrick Jones Jr. “very very underrated,” and the Dallas Mavericks forward showed love back to his star teammate.
Derrick Jones Jr. becoming the Dallas Mavericks’ X-factor
Derrick Jones Jr. was given the primary assignment of guarding the Los Angeles Clippers’ best players, but he has done more than that so far in the series.
On the offensive end, despite not being known as a knockdown shooter, Jones has shot at a respectable rate from three-point land (41.7 percent) to help space the floor for the Dallas Mavericks, and he’s also great at finishing at the rim.
Whatever happens from here on out, the Dallas Mavericks have to re-sign him this coming offseason since he has become a valuable player in the team.
