Over the course of what has turn out to be his greatest NBA season with the Clippers, Derrick Jones Jr. has been seen leaping into the stratosphere to catch a lob cross from James Harden after which throwing down an thrilling dunk. The group inside Intuit Dome often goes right into a frenzy from the spectacular play.
The Clippers public handle announcer, Eric Smith, will then let unfastened with a “Flight 55 has been cleared for takeoff,” the 55 the quantity on Jones’ jersey.
In some ways, that individual play has been a microcosm of Jones’ play with the Clippers this season. He has been acting at a excessive degree for the Clippers, his recreation reaching new heights.
“This really has been my first year I heard where people called me ‘Flight 55,’” mentioned Jones, who has had different nicknames like “Airplane Jones” and “Airplane Mode” due to his leaping skill. “But it’s cool. I like Flight 55. It seems to get the fans hyped.”
Because the Clippers proceed to battle for a top-six playoff spot within the uber-competitive Western Convention and keep away from the NBA’s play-in match, Jones has completed his half.
His profession highs in factors (10.4 per recreation) and three-point capturing (35.6%) have supplied them a carry. He’s capturing 51.6% from the sphere and is second on the crew in offensive rebounds and third in steals (66).
“We all know defensively that’s where he stands out,” Clippers coach Tyronn Lue mentioned. “But he’s got a career year in field-goal percentage, three-point percentage, minutes played, a lot of different things. He’s taken a huge step forward.”
Protection is the place the 6-foot-6 Jones has discovered his area of interest.
His defensive score is 111.4, making him top-of-the-line within the NBA.
His assignments are all the time in opposition to the most effective the league has to supply — corresponding to Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards, the dynamic duo from the Celtics of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, and the highest twosome with the Lakers, LeBron James and Luka Doncic.
“When I first came into the league, I wasn’t known for defense, I can tell you that,” Jones, who’s coping with a proper groin pressure, mentioned. “But my rookie year in Phoenix, (Suns assistant coach) Earl Watson — I’ll always give him credit for that — he was a guy that, not forced me, but he was like, ‘Yo, this how you are going to get on the floor. You’re an undrafted rookie. The only way you are going to get on the floor is if you go out there, you lock up and you guard the best players.’
“That’s when I realized being long, athletic and having quickness to move my feet laterally and just being able to stay in front of guys is just a big part of it for me.”
Jones performed alongside Doncic final season with the Dallas Mavericks, who misplaced within the NBA Finals to the Celtics.
They solid a friendship and a respect for one another.
“First of all, he’s an amazing guy just to be around,” Doncic mentioned. “Second of all, his defense, his ability to jump, his ability to shoot — together, we were great I think. Obviously one guy I miss. We’ll get some dinner now that we’re in L.A.”
The Clippers signed Jones to a three-year, $30-million deal final summer time after Paul George departed to for Philadelphia.
Jones, 28 and in his ninth season, appreciates the Clippers for exhibiting him a lot love.
Proper right down to his bobblehead night time scheduled for Wednesday, when the Clippers host the Pistons.
“It’s the first time I’ve ever had one and it’s amazing. I said in the video, ‘Mamma, I made it,’” Jones mentioned, laughing “But, now, It’s just funny to me because I never had a bobblehead. Like I said before, I never felt like I had a secure place. Now I feel like that the organization has shown me nothing but love, the team shows me nothing but love, the fans show me nothing but love. So, I love it here.”
