LOS ANGELES –After the first timeout during Thursday night’s game between the Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Clippers, a video tribute was shown on the STAPLES Center Jumbotron in honor of DeAndre Jordan.
Before signing a one-year free agent contract with the Mavs last July, Jordan spent the first 10 years of his NBA career toiling for the Clippers. So, they were more than happy to express their pleasure on what he meant to their organization – via the video tribute.
“I watched a little bit of It, I thought it was great,” Jordan said. “I really appreciate those guys doing that. It was cool.”
Along with Blake Griffin and Chris Paul, Jordan was an integral part of the Clippers’ renaissance that turned this franchise from one of the NBA’s laughingstocks to one of its better programs. Thus, in a show of respect to Jordan and the blood, sweat and tears he gave this organization, Clippers coach Doc Rivers said he wants to retire Jordan’s jersey first.
“That’s humbling,” Jordan said. “There’s no secret that Doc is my favorite. I love Doc and he is a big reason of a lot of the success I’ve had in this league, and I appreciate him a lot.
“And for him to say something like that, that’s cool.”
Rivers admitted it was “odd” designing defensive schemes to defend Jordan, who he considers to be a close friend.
“I have such love for him, but not just him, but when you think about all of those guys, our Big 3,” Rivers said. “Whatever we do in the future — I keep saying this — they started it.
“(Jordan) started it. He was the first guy here. They started to get people to look at our franchise as a franchise you want to be a part of. We are forever indebted to those guys.”
While Jordan, likewise, knows he is forever indebted to the Clippers’ organization, he shared a lighthearted laugh about Rivers when Rivers inadvertently slipped and fell near the bench in the second half while Thursday’s game was in progress.
“I thought he was going to be out two to four weeks,” Jordan said. “That guy’s got some good joints.”
Jordan finished a game the Mavs lost, 125-121, with 11 points, 22 rebounds and four assists. It was the first time he played against the Clippers in Los Angeles since joining the Mavs.
Coach Rick Carlisle was impressed with the way Jordan held up against the Clippers. Particularly since the 6-11 center missed Thursday morning’s shootaround with an illness.
“I thought all night long that he was an impact player in the paint,” Carlisle said. “It was great to see the warm welcome back he got from the fans.
“I saw the video thing, it was terrific, very deserving. These things can be very challenging coming back to a place you’ve been to for a decade. He handled it great and I thought they gave him his due respect.”
Clippers backup center Montrezl Harrell said he learned a lot from Jordan, especially with the way he dominates in the paint.
“I’ve got great relationships with all of my teammates regardless of who it is,” Jordan said. “We talk a lot, we learn from each other on and off the floor, and I learned a lot from (Harrell) as well.
“I think that’s a good thing to have a camaraderie aspect with the team.”
That same camaraderie Jordan had with the Clippers, now he has it with the Mavs.
“He’s a great dude, great teammate, great person,” guard J. J. Barea said. “I know (the Clippers) love him, so it’s awesome that they did that (video tribute).”
Jordan collected 16 points and a season-high 23 rebounds when the Mavs beat the Clippers back on Dec. 2. But that contest was in Dallas, while Thursday’s game was emotional for Jordan because it was in the place where is NBA career started.
The respect for Jordan started early, as the fans gave him a thunderous ovation when his name was called while the starting lineups were introduced. From there, Jordan went out and showed the Clippers what they’ve missed.
“He was a factor, even though he was obviously under the weather,” backup center Dirk Nowitzki said. “He missed the shootaround in the morning, but there was no way he was going to miss this game.
“It was his first game back and he had over 20 boards. He was active. Unfortunately, we didn’t get him the win.”
For Jordan and the Mavs, that was unfortunate. But for Jordan, it still was exhilarating to walk into the STAPLES Center and see so many friendly and smiling faces.
“They were great teammates and we had some really great times,” Jordan said. “The coaching staff, we talked a little bit, too.
“I had a lot of memories here. I was here for 10 years and I loved every second of it.”
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