Derrick Jones Jr. of the Miami Heat is the preeminent high flyer in the NBA. When will he start to expand the reach and reign of his game though?
When the Miami Heat first got their hands on Derrick Jones Jr. two seasons ago, it was a nice little pick-up. We knew about his explosive leaping ability. His pterodactyl type length was evident upon the first glimpse as well.
What we didn’t know at the time was how hot his motor ran. Jones Jr. is not only an athletic freak when it comes to his leaping ability, but he has a motor that seems to never stop running on the court.
He can capably defend three positions, he has the length and the athleticism to block shots, and enough quickness and agility to get into the passing lanes to force turnovers. Although he only averaged 7 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 0.6 assists across 19.2 minutes per game last season, his impact was much greater than the statistics would indicate. One set of statistics that he needs to improve all the way around though are his three-point figures.
With his particular skill set and ability, if he were ever able to maintain any form of consistency from outside the arc, he could instantly take his game to another level. This is where his bold prediction comes into the fold. Let’s get into it.
Derrick Jones Jr. will receive Most Improved Player consideration for improving his numbers across the board
The only things separating Airplane Mode from stardom are more experience and a bit of work. If he could ever raise his 30.8 percent three-point shooting percentage, that alone would make him twice the player he already is. Becoming even a moderate threat from beyond the arc would instantaneously mean that defenders would have to run out at him, this would give him all of the leverage and control to attack the rim, where he does his best work of course.
If he were to develop a more consistent handle as well, exclusively or preferably along with an improved jump shot, the sky is the limit for Jones’ potential. To develop a better handle would allow him to create more for himself, which would only be that much more devastating to defenses because once he gets within a step of the paint, there isn’t much that can be done with him based on his ability to leap and finish at the tin.
While you want him to continue to improve in all areas for the Miami Heat, developing a few more ball skills like a tighter handle and improved jump shot would directly impact his abilities to contribute offensively, while indirectly impacting the rest of his game. With him being able to help more with scoring the ball, it would definitely provide the opportunity for him to receive more minutes.
This would inevitably mean that he would have a great chance to improve his numbers across the board. That is why this is his bold prediction for the 2019-20 season.