Airplane mode activated. Derrick Jones, Jr. was cleared for take-off on Wednesday night, as the Portland Trail Blazers visited the Sacramento Kings. The reigning Slam Dunk champion literally had enough time to stare down the rim after catching the ball off a half-court lob from Damian Lillard before flushing down the rock.
The slam is so nice you'll have to see it thrice (via Bleacher Report):
Dame oops it to DJJ from half court 😳 pic.twitter.com/xJuexx6KdW
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) January 14, 2021
Everyone knows how dangerous Damian Lillard is from the logo, but having a high-flying weapon like DJJ lurking from the baseline definitely adds an interesting dynamic for the Blazers' transition game.
Derrick Jones Jr. followed that highlight with another insane put-back slam from a CJ McCollum triple to help the Blazers cut the Kings' opening half deficit to just three entering half time. The 23-year-old simply has insane bounce and is one of the most exciting athletes in the NBA today.
In his first year with the Blazers, Jones has been propelled to the starting line-up to add length and versatility. In his first 10 games prior to Wednesday's game, the Pennsylvania-native has been a key contributor for Portland, especially on defense. Though his numbers haven't been off-the-charts, his presence on defense has been something the Blazers have truly benefited from. Jones has tallied 1.3 steals and 0.7 blocks per game for Rip City–plus insane highlights every now and then.
There won't be an All-Star Weekend this season, but thankfully, Jones provides fans with Slam Dunk Contest-worthy highlights every time he steps on the court.
Follow Us
Subscribe