Why is Derrick Jones Jr. Called ‘Airplane Mode’? Exploring the Origins of the Mavs Star’s Nickname

Why will an NBA player be nicknamed ‘Airplane Mode’? Generally, it is used when someone cuts off all links and goes off the radar. But in the NBA world, the reason behind the nickname is pretty simple. Dallas Mavericks forward Derrick Jones Jr. got this name because of his ability to surprise everyone with his vertical leaps. Not only that, but also his explosive dunks that he jams using those leaps. And there is much more to the man and the reason behind his moniker.

Jones Jr. entered the league, not in the usual fashion. After going undrafted in the 2016 NBA Draft, he made his debut in the next season after impressing the Phoenix Suns management in the pre-season. Despite his short stay on the court, averaging 17 minutes per game in 32 appearances, he managed to showcase glimpses of his explosive dunks.

And it even fetched him a place in the 2017 Slam Dunk Contest. Jones immediately surprised everyone with his skills as he went on to reach the final round, but unfortunately, he couldn’t impress the judges like Glenn Robinson III did with his reverse dunk over three people. Following that season, Jones moved to the Miami Heat with the dunk contest reputation in a two-way contract.

Even after his flurry in the 2017 dunk contest, Jones still didn’t get his nickname. During the first season with the Heat, he juggled, playing between the Heat and its NBA G League affiliate, but it was mostly for the G League. In 2018, he played his first game as a starter, and by the end of the season, he signed a two-year contract with the Florida side.

And, it wasn’t until the 2020 Slam Dunk Contest that he got the NBA world’s attention again. The competition went neck-to-neck against Aaron Gordon, who was finally defeated by an explosive windmill dunk. Eventually, he earned the nickname ‘Airplane mode’ unofficially among the fans.

Derrick Jones Jr.’s ‘Airplane Mode’ over the years

There isn’t any clarity on exactly when Jones Jr. owned the nickname. But it has followed him ever since he won the dunk contest, defeating Aaron Gordon. Notably, the Denver Nuggets star suffered controversial losses in the contest. Initially, he lost against Zach LaVine in 2015 in a controversial judgment. And in 2020, he lost a final round against Jones despite dunking over 7’6″ tall Tacko Fall. However, this time, it wasn’t anyone’s fault, as Jones produced a windmill dunk from the free throw line.

Moreover, Derrick Jones Jr.’s 2020 glory didn’t get over soon, as he went on to play his first-ever NBA Finals. Jimmy Butler-led Heat went up against the Los Angeles Lakers and unfortunately bit the dust in a Game 6 series loss. However, Jones didn’t have a big role to play in the postseason, as he played an average of 6.5 minutes per game.

At the same time, he had an interesting stat during his stint with the Heat. According to the NBA, out of his 160 field goals, he has dropped 62 of them through dunks, which makes it 38.8% of his FG. The former dunk contest champion definitely lived by his nickname and took off on the lane whenever he had the opportunity.

Following his time with the Heat, he moved to Portland for a season and then spent another two seasons with the Chicago Bulls. After averaging 8.5 points with the Florida side, Jones’ career didn’t actually take off, as he had limited roles and played under 17 minutes per game. And, fortunately, things got better for the star after his trade to the Mavericks. He made a permanent spot in the starting lineup and recorded a career-best average of 8.6 points and 3.3 rebounds per game.

Derrick Jones Jr. is more than just an explosive dunker

When the Mavs traded in Jones, he was considered a high-flying 3 and defensive player in the beginning. And he stuck to his role for the course of the season. The team also provided him with fewer minutes on the court, considering his inability to create shots. It restricted him from showcasing his skills.

However, the affiliation with Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving ignited responsibility in the 6 ‘7 forward. Jones put his 7-foot wingspan to use and also brought his agility to the defensive end, making it difficult to get past his blocks. Eventually, the star built his mid-range game, giving the Mavs offensive support along with his dunking ability.

Four years after his first NBA Finals appearance, Jones again made it to the Finals, this time with a crucial role in the starting lineup. Speaking of his second Finals appearance, he said, “You never know what you’re going to get from a game… You just got to go out there and give it everything that you have and just live with the results.” 

The Mavs may experience a dunk showdown from Jones in the Finals. Will he impress the fans with his ability in the final showdown? Let us know in the comments below.

Stay tuned for more such updates, and to follow in what Shaq’s ex-agent, Leonard Armato had to say about WNBA sensation Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese, this video