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Miami Heat 1-on-1: The countdown to 2018-19 begins…

By Allana Tachauer

MIAMI, FL -OCTOBER 18: Briante Weber #12 of the Miami Heat handles the ball against the Orlando Magic on October 18, 2016 at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL -OCTOBER 18: Briante Weber #12 of the Miami Heat handles the ball against the Orlando Magic on October 18, 2016 at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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SACRAMENTO, CA – JULY 5: Kenyan Gabriel #32 and De’Aaron Fox #5 of the Sacramento Kings speak with Derrick Jones Jr #5, Bam Adebayo #13 of the Miami Heat during the 2018 Summer League at the Golden 1 Center on July 5, 2018 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CA – JULY 5: Kenyan Gabriel #32 and De’Aaron Fox #5 of the Sacramento Kings speak with Derrick Jones Jr #5, Bam Adebayo #13 of the Miami Heat during the 2018 Summer League at the Golden 1 Center on July 5, 2018 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Ok, so what are you expecting out of Derrick Jones Jr. this year?

Tachauer: Really, only the best. I’ve been a fan of Derrick Jones Jr. since the Heat signed him to a two-way contract last season. He’s one of the most bouncy players I’ve ever seen, giving him to ability to dunk like nobody else. He’s insanely athletic, helping him finish strong at the rim and lock down any opposition on defense. And he’s clearly committed to doing whatever it takes to make it in this league. Obviously, it’ll take some time for him to get fully comfortable in head coach Erik Spoelstra’s system, as he only played a handful of games under him in 2017-18. But he looked spectacular during Summer League and I believe he has yet to even come close to hitting his ceiling.

Johnson: We’ve seen the dunks. We’ve seen the inhuman athletic ability. Now, with a regular contract, Jones Jr. needs to prove he has substance to his game. His frame is incredibly similar to teammate Josh Richardson, a player who often viewed as having All-Star potential on both sides of the floor. Jones’ athleticism could translate to following in Richardson’s admittedly fresh footsteps, improving his defensive engagement along with his outside stroke. Jones definitely showed flashes of improvement during Summer League, but has yet to play a full NBA-length season. Last year, plenty of rookies hit the rookie wall, slowing down production right around the time the college season would have ended; so next year is effectively Jones’ rookie year. Making his talents last a full, 82-game season, will be his biggest test yet.

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