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Clippers: DeAndre Jordan’s friendship with Kevin Durant keeps growing

By Tom West

Aug 8, 2016; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; United States center DeAndre Jordan (6) and United States forward Kevin Durant (5) reacts on the bench against Venezuela during the men's basketball preliminary round in the Rio 2016 Summer Olympic Games at Carioca Arena 1. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 8, 2016; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; United States center DeAndre Jordan (6) and United States forward Kevin Durant (5) reacts on the bench against Venezuela during the men's basketball preliminary round in the Rio 2016 Summer Olympic Games at Carioca Arena 1. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports /
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Los Angeles Clippers center DeAndre Jordan has been a key part of Team USA at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics, and has been appreciative of his time there playing alongside close friend Kevin Durant.

Judging by reports from the dramatic week itself and comments of Doc Rivers, the Los Angeles Clippers made a brilliant pitch to Kevin Durant in a hopeful attempt to sign him in free agency. Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan attended alongside their coach and owner Steve Ballmer, and chipped in themselves in an attempt to lure Durant away from the other vulture-like NBA teams vying for his talent.

Of course, the presentation wasn’t enough. Durant chose the superior Golden State Warriors and a brief dream for Clippers fans came to an abrupt end. Even still, Doc has insisted that Durant was impressed by their presentation, the comments of Griffin, and probably by the presence of Jordan, too.

You may not know quite how close DeAndre Jordan and Kevin Durant are. You’ve probably seen them on social media palling along together at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics, whether they’re cheering along Michael Phelps or meeting other athletes from Team USA.

They’ve been close friends for some time, and that played a part in Jordan’s role in the presentation.

Their friendship goes back a long way, though. The Vertical’s Michael Lee documented that in his column on their relationship, with Durant expressing how highly he regards Jordan:

"“If I were to get married today, he’d be in my wedding,” Durant told The Vertical about Jordan. “That’s how it is. That’s my brother.”"

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Lee discussed how Durant and Jordan’s friendship goes back to their times at college. Jordan was unconvinced by Durant’s attempts to sell him on coming to Texas as he believed KD may leave college before he arrived. Instead, Jordan opted for their rival Texas A&M.

Jordan said the following about the situation:

"“I said, ‘Why would I come there, when you’re going to leave after your first year?’ He said, ‘No, I don’t think I’m going to leave. I think I’m going to stay.’ And I was like, ‘I don’t know.’ He said, ‘I’m telling you.’ And obviously, you know what happened,” Jordan told The Vertical with a laugh. “Ever since then, we’ve been really, really cool and he’s one of my best friends in the world.”"

Jordan has also been appreciative of his time with Durant this summer:

"“We’ve always been cool,” Jordan told The Vertical. “We compete against each other four times a year. We hang out in the summertime, go on trips together, so it’s great to be on the same team together now.”"

When reading such statements of their friendship, Clippers fans surely can’t help but feel a little bitter about the fact that the team was unable to bring Durant alongside Jordan and form the deadliest starting lineup in the NBA. But that’s all in the past now.

Next: An insider's tale of growing up as a Clippers fan in LA

Sadly, at least for Clips fans, it’s only Jordan and Durant’s friendship, not a partnership as teammates, that will continue after this summer.

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