National Basketball Association

LA Clippers: Marquese Chriss wants to dunk on DeAndre Jordan

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

foxsports

Phoenix Suns rookie Marquese Chriss is an exceptional athlete, and he’s set his sights high by naming LA Clippers center DeAndre Jordan as his top target to dunk on.

19-year-old Marquese Chriss is one of the top athletes entering the NBA this year. Heading to the Phoenix Suns to join a young backcourt next to 2016 4th overall pick Dragan Bender, Chriss can do one thing incredibly well already: dunk. He’s shown such athleticism, good size as a 6’10” power forward with a 7’0″ wingspan, a fairly smooth shooting stroke, and general promise all around because of his flashes of skill and physical gifts. But, right now, Chriss is known as a dunker. And his top dunk target just so happens to be a member of the LA Clippers.

Talking to FanSided’s Ian Levy, Chriss spoke a little about his dunking background, adding that he wants to develop his game to the point where he’s known for more than just his aerial antics.

That will be essential, but Chriss also added that the person he wants to dunk on most right now is DeAndre Jordan:

Heading into your rookie year, you’re known a lot for your athleticism and your leaping ability. Any goals this year for proving that you’re more than just a big dunker?

Everything. I’m working on all aspects of my game, just to widen people’s opinion of me that I’m not just a dunker but that I’m actually able to create for myself.

Anyone in the league right now that you’d really like to dunk on?

Probably DeAndre Jordan.

DeAndre Jordan. The most athletic center in the league, a fierce rim protector, the All-NBA First Team center and a two-time All-Defensive First Team player. That guy. That’s Chriss’ dunk target.

It’s a high expectation to set and a difficult goal to fulfil, but you certainly can’t hate Chriss for wanting to try. A rookie having confidence in their abilities and being aggressive — take Kristaps Porzingis and his physical put-back dunks, for example — is always a crucial part of their potential success.

Unfortunately for Chriss, Jordan is one of the toughest guys to dunk on.