DALLAS — Derrick Jones Jr. has played a key role for the Dallas Mavericks as a wing defender, often guarding the top option of opposing perimeter offenses. Jones is trusted to do the job whether he's a nimble guard like Stephen Curry or a long, dynamic wing like Kevin Durant.
“It means everything. Every player wants the confidence of their coach,” Jones said. “From where I came from when I first got here to now having a coach I trust as a teammate, that means a lot to me.”
April 5, 2024. Dallas, Texas, USA.Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry, 30, dribbles in Dallas
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Despite appearing in 76 games and averaging 23.5 minutes, Jones is not eligible to be voted to any of the NBA All-Defensive teams. After the NBA instituted the Player Participation Rule for the Award, it became a requirement that a player play at least 62 games while logging at least 20 minutes. Jones only played 48 games to meet this criteria.
Jones didn't know he wasn't eligible to be named to the NBA All-Defensive Team until recently when Markieff Morris sent him a social media post with that information.
“No, I saw it a few days ago,” Jones said. “My teammate Markieff sent me a tweet and I saw it and I was like, 'That's crazy, but it's true.'” It's not like I'm really tripping. ”
One of Jones' goals for next season is to earn a spot on one of the NBA All-Defensive teams. He is confident that even though he is not in the second team, it is because he is in the first team.
“I know I can win next year, if not second, then first,” Jones said.
Against the Los Angeles Clippers, Jones will be tasked with shutting down an offense led by four future Hall of Famers, including Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, James Harden and Russell Westbrook.
“That's what I want to do. Every game excites me, no matter who's out there, no matter who's in front of me,” Jones said. “I want to protect the best players. That's who I am and always will be.”
Leonard is known for elevating his play to incredible levels in the postseason, and Jones will undoubtedly be tasked with trying to slow him down at some point. Jones has continued his preparation efforts by studying Leonard's tendencies and other matchups he may face.
“Treat them like any other guy. I'm just out there guarding them. I'm watching them. I'm looking at trends in people,” Jones said. Told. I watch what they want to do and what they don't want to do, and I try to get them to do a lot of things they don't want to do. That's what I'm trying to do. ”
