- Kyle Lowry’s honest admission about Pat Riley’s comments that he needs to be in better shape
- P.J. Tucker says he and James Harden were trying to join the Philadelphia 76ers for over a year
- Tyler Herro: ‘My offensive skill set is one of the best in the league’
- Bam Adebayo and Jimmy Butler issue warnings regarding Heat big man’s aggressiveness on offense this season
- Latest Jae Crowder update inches Miami Heat that much closer to acquiring him
- Miami Heat insider says he has ‘sneaking suspicion’ team will try to maximize Haywood Highsmith
- Report: Detroit Pistons add former Miami Heat champ to coaching staff
- Udonis Haslem wants to avoid his pursuit of Miami Heat ownership ending like that of Dwyane Wade
- Udonis Haslem says superstars across NBA ask him for advice because they value his opinion
- Jimmy Butler’s agent takes aim at Brian Windhorst and Zach Lowe after Miami Heat star gets disrespected in ESPN rankings
Derrick Jones Jr. Reiterates Desire to Guard Opponent’s Best Player Every Single Night
- Updated: July 30, 2020
Earlier this season, it was reported that Miami Heat forward Derrick Jones Jr. had regularly asked to guard the opposing team’s best player.
It appears that the 23-year-old high-flyer is doubling down on his desire to be tasked with the toughest defensive assignment.
Heat's Derrick Jones Jr. told me earlier this season that he has asked Butler, on multiple occasions, to allow him to often defend top opposing wing during Jones' minutes and Butler has been receptive. Jones reiterates today he wants to "guard the best player every night"
— Barry Jackson (@flasportsbuzz) July 30, 2020
Jones Jr. has showcased many times this season his potential to be one of the team’s best defenders. As a matter of fact, advanced stats have illustrated just how valuable the young player has been on that end of the floor.
His defensive win shares, the stat that estimates the number of wins contributed by a player due to his defense, this season is 1.6. That ranks third in the team. The two players ahead of him are Bam Adebayo and Jimmy Butler, two of the Heat’s best defensive players.
It remains to be seen though how much playing time Jones Jr. will receive during the seeding games and postseason in the NBA’s bubble in Orlando, Fla. The coaching staff would likely place veterans Andre Iguodala and Jae Crowder ahead of him in the rotation because of their playoff experience.
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