Veteran forward will have say in NBA Finals

Mavericks fans are well-aware that former point guard Jason Kidd and current guard Kyrie Irving have led teams to championships: Kidd as a Maverick in 2011; Irving with Cleveland in 2016.

Fewer fans probably know that veteran Maverick forward Markieff Morris played a significant role in the Lakers' 2020 championship run in the Disney World bubble. But how many fans know that another Maverick has NBA Finals experience?

Granted, Derrick Jones Jr. played in only four of the six games of those 2020 bubble Finals, for a combined 9:38 off the bench for Miami, but it was enough to learn what to expect when Dallas and Miami square off in the NBA Finals starting Thursday.

"Every game is tough," he recalled Sunday, after the Mavericks' first practice since winning the Western Conference finals in Minneapolis. "You've got to go out there with that Game 7 mentality."

Jones, 27, is playing for his fifth team in eight NBA seasons, but it's safe to say his role in these NBA Finals will be far more substantial than the last.

Jones has started 83 of Dallas' 99 games this season, including all 17 playoff games. In his previous seven seasons with Phoenix, Miami, Portland and Chicago he started 103 regular-season and no playoff games.

He'll not only start Game 1 of the Finals but will be tasked with guarding either Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown or most likely both at various times.

"I mean, they're good offensive players," Jones said. "Like I said before, with all the [previous] series, I've just got to keep them from their spots and try to limit them from the shots that they like to take."

Jones seemed purposely restrained in his comments on Sunday, perhaps out of deference to the 64-win Celtics, or perhaps not wanting to unnecessarily provide bulletin board material.

No matter. Through his play, Jones has shown the swagger that he verbally exuded early in the first-round series against the Clippers, when asked about the challenge of guarding the likes of future Hall of Famers Kawhi Leonard, Paul George and Russell Westbrook.

"They're human," he said with a shrug. "They're men, just like me. They put their pants on one leg at a time, just like me.

"I fear no man. I go out there and have no fear in my heart for no one."

That induced chuckles from reporters and a wry smile from Jones, but clearly there's no lack of self-belief in his wiry 6-5, 210-pound frame.

Jones showed that last summer when he declined a player option to remain with the Bulls and elected to test free agency.

"I just decided to bet on myself," he said.

His search for a new team extended well into August. His choice of teams came down to Dallas and, ironically, Boston. He signed a one-year, $2.7 million deal to become a Maverick after a conversation with coach Jason Kidd.

"He told me that if I was to come here, I was gonna have to work for everything," Jones said. "That's what I did.

"It is kind of funny," he added of nearly becoming a Celtic, "but I'm just glad I made the decision that I did."

Few, if any, projected Jones to be a starter this season, but here he is, averaging 9.8 points, 3.6 rebounds in the playoffs, with a healthy sprinkling of highlight-reel dunks and hard-nosed defensive stops.

"It's his character of who he is," Kidd said Sunday. "He's about playing the game the right way. He was given a chance and he took full advantage of it. He never complains. He does his job at a high level and is really appreciative of the opportunity.

"And when you talk to him, he's very consistent with his messaging that he just wants to win and be a part of it. And he's definitely a part of it."

He's such a big part of the Mavericks' success that he's made the job of his agent, Aaron Turner, easy this summer.

"I hope so," Jones said. "I hope so. But the job's not done. I've still got a little bit more that I can give. And hopefully, I can get a little bit more."