There is a whiff of replacements around the corner as teams gear up for the NBA season. This time it surrounds the previous season’s runner-up Dallas Mavericks. The Mavs had lost the NBA Playoffs to the Boston Celtics in the Finals. They had the heat and drive but the Celtics were able to take it a notch higher. Now with a solid game plan and a well-drawn-up roster, they have their eyes set on the elusive Championship title.
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As per league sources, it was only hours after Paul George informed that he was joining the Sixers gang that the LA Clippers was swift enough to sign up a 3-year, $30 million deal with Derrick Jones Jr. With sparks of a potential replacement for Derrick Jones Jr. have been swirling since then. Who will rise up to fill the shoes of the playoff hero? At last, we may have the answer for you.
According to Locked On podcast host Nick Angstadt, the recent 3-year $27 M acquisition deal by the Mavs is “clearly in plain sight.” He places his bet on the diverse shooting tactics and defense versatility of the recently drafted Naji Marshall. As per his dissection of Marshall’s on-court action analysis, “He’s the perfect replacement for Derrick Jones Jr.”
Can Naji Marshall be a better choice for the Mavs than Derrick Jones Jr?
Nick started by praising the former Mavs star, “I mean Derrick Jones Jr, 76 games last season. He started 66 of those games and in the playoffs he started every single game for the Mavs, played almost 30 minutes. Best perimeter guard. You look at the stats and like this player guarded every single player in the other teams the best. Derrick Jones Jr. leads the league in that…The Mavs defense was great under Derrick Jones Jr.”
While Jones Jr. was an effective point guard for the Mavs making his exit a heartbreak, Marshall certainly has big shoes to fill. Some might claim that he doesn’t bring the same level of agility and athleticism onto the hardwood, but his stats speak a different story. And he certainly has a knack for defense. Standing at an impressive 6 ft 6” and weighing 220 lb with a 7-ft-1 wingspan, Marshall has all the making of a formidable defender next to the rim.
This was also justified by stats from the host when comparing the two stars,”If you look at Naji Marshall, he shot 38.7% last season. He found his stroke. Played 66 games for the Pelicans. Played 19 minutes per game, like this is a 3-and-D player that everyone in the league should want.”
Explaining further he said,”For me why he is a better replacement for Derrick Jones Jr. is one he’s a promising shooter. I mean 39% from 3 in one season, over a whole season 66 games for a playoff team in the Pelicans. That is more promising than any single Derrick Jones Jr. 3-point shooting season that he came in.” He went on to heap praises on the star stating how he will “get a little more” on the table.
In the upcoming season, the ultimate clash between the LA Clippers and the Mavs would certainly be one to watch out for. Will Naji Marshall turn out to be the “more accomplished player coming into this season?” We will get our answer soon enough as the season takes off.
