Naji Marshall is his own man. But as he begins his Mavericks’ career, it’s going to be inevitable that he will be looked at as the replacement for Derrick Jones Jr.
DJJ 2.0, if you will.
And that’s OK with Marshall. He’s got time and a terrific attitude on his side to convince fans that his contributions to the Mavericks will stand on their own merit.
But don’t be surprised if what the Mavericks get from Marshall reminds you a lot of what Jones brought to the Mavericks last season.
“That’s kind of my MO – toughness, defense,” Marshall said as he took part in Tuesday’s introductory news conference for Klay Thompson, Quentin Grimes and himself. “It’s one of the things I bring to the game and something I love to do.
“That’s kind of what they used to get where they got this year. And I’m here to pick up whatever slack they lost or add to it.”
Consider that a nod to the contributions of Jones, who agreed to join the Los Angeles Clippers as a free agent last week.
“Naji brings a toughness similar to what Derrick Jones brought to us,” vice president of basketball operations and assistant GM Michael Finley said. “He has the ability to guard one through five, in my opinion. And he has a desire to get better. That’s one of the things that attracted us to the young man.”
In Marshall, the Mavericks are getting a 6-7 son of a professional boxer who has earned the nickname “The Knife.”
One of the Mavericks’ veteran assistant coaches, Jared Dudley, said Marshall, indeed, will remind people of Jones. But with notable differences.
“Marshall is very similar but in a different way,” said Dudley, who is in charge of the Mavericks’ summer league team that opens play in Las Vegas on Saturday. “You don’t have to worry about Marshall being tough and rugged. Being from Philly, that’s how he is. He doesn’t have the (superior) athletic ability. But you’re gaining a lot of toughness that we don’t have and we desperately need.”
The defensive abilities of Marshall, as well as Grimes, are considerable. And they have carried a lot of weight with the other new Maverick.
“That’s why they’re here,” Thompson said. “Not because it’s pretty, but because they lock up, they’re willing to do the dirty work. We’re going to have some battles in practice. I’m excited about that.”
The addition of Thompson was like Christmas for Marshall. He said he only had one reaction when he heard that the sharpshooter chose the Mavericks in free agency.
“I told everybody we were going to win a championship,” he said.
Marshall will be going into his fifth NBA season after spending the first four with New Orleans. So he’s well-versed in what it’s like to have to guard Luka Dončić.
And that’s a job he’s glad he will only have to do during practices and not in games anymore.
“Definitely a relief,” Marshall said. “Luka’s a high-level player. Locking him down? I won’t use that word. But maintain, all three levels (was the goal).
“Unbelievable. Just to be on this team, let him do that to other people. I’m going to get enjoyment out of that.”
Marshall was not selected in the COVID-19-marred 2020 NBA draft.
That’s another thing he has in common with Jones, who was not drafted when he entered the league in 2016 as a teenager. Having that chip on their shoulders has boosted both players.
“Being undrafted just motivated me,” Marshall said. “I knew I was a good player. And I just wanted the opportunity to showcase my skills. I knew when I got that opportunity, it was over with.
“When it’s your opportunity, you got to take full advantage of it because you may not get many.”
And this opportunity with the Mavericks is one that Marshall does not plan to squander.
Ajinca thrilled to join Mavs: The Mavericks went through their third day of summer league practices on Wednesday and it’s been a quick study for the players who have been together for only a short time.
It also has given the Mavericks their first extended glimpse of rookie Melvin Ajinca, who was the 51st pick in last month’s NBA draft and was acquired in a deal with Washington.
And it also gave the 6-8 Frenchman a chance to explain his strengths as a player.
“I know I can defend from different positions,” he said in a thick French accent. “I like to attack the close-outs and bring energy, help my teammates.
“I was excited (to be drafted by the Mavs). During the second round of the draft, I was very stressed because my goal was to be in the NBA and be drafted. I couldn’t speak. That was crazy. I’m super-excited to be here.”
As are the Mavericks. Dudley said Ajinca, the cousin of former Maverick Alexis Ajinca, has been a standout with his playmaking out of the post and his energy.
Ajinca said he talked to his cousin “a few days ago.”
“He’s very proud of me and excited,” Melvin Ajinca said. “He told me we are the only cousins from France in the NBA.”
Ajinca said he’s learning quickly about being in Texas.
“I like the Mexican food,” he said.
Sounds like he’ll fit in just fine.
X: @ESefko
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