Derrick Jones Jr. Shares Excitement for Isaiah Jackson Starting for Clippers

Asked about his new starting center on Saturday, Oct. 17, forward Derrick Jones Jr. sounded like a player who already has a plan for how the Los Angeles Clippers should play, and that plan starts with running.

Head coach Tyronn Lue named center Isaiah Jackson his starter for the first week of the season during practice at Intuit Dome on Saturday, and Jones was asked that same day what Jackson gives the first unit.

He went to versatility first and said Jackson can switch from one through five and run the floor.

In a clip shared by reporter Justin Russo, Jones called Jackson one of the fastest big men in the league and said he is right up there with Jones himself.

With Jackson running one side of the floor and Jones running the other, he said he loves their chances.

"He brings a lot to the table," Jones said.

Jones also talked about how much Jackson protects the rim and said it is going to be a lot of fun.

The two were in the starting group for the preseason finale against the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday, Oct. 14, at Intuit Dome, after they had also been together with the first unit in the early days of training camp.

I love this pairing for a team that will need easy baskets early in the year.

ESPN lists forward Brandon Ingram, guard Max Strus and center Yanic Konan Niederhauser as out, and without Niederhauser there is a thin group up front behind Jackson and center Brook Lopez.

Jackson came over from the Indiana Pacers on Feb. 5 in the trade that sent center Ivica Zubac to Indiana, and he played 17 games for the Clippers without a start.

Even so, he averaged 7.5 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.2 blocks in 15.9 minutes a night and made 76.4% of his shots, which is what a forward like Jones wants from the big man next to him.

Jones is known more for his defense than his scoring, so a fast big man beside him should give both of them more easy chances in the open floor.

If Jackson can switch onto guards and still get back to protect the paint, Jones can gamble more on the ball without leaving the basket open behind him.

The Clippers open the season against the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday, Oct. 21, at Intuit Dome, then visit the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday, Oct. 23, and the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday, Oct. 25.

That gives this pairing three games in five days right out of the gate.

Lopez gives Lue a very different look at center, since he can stretch the floor in a way Jackson cannot, so those minutes will probably move around from night to night.

I still think Jones has this one right, and with Ingram and Strus out, I would give Jackson the bigger share of the center minutes and let him and Jones push the pace every time the Clippers get a stop.