In the absence of Blake Griffin, DeAndre Jordan continues to step up and improve his game as he carries the Los Angeles Clippers’ frontcourt rotation in commanding fashion.
Guard-like ball handling, mid-range jumpers, stellar passing, and elite low-post scoring; these are all attributes the Los Angeles Clippers lack in their frontcourt while Blake Griffin is out with injury. He’s probably the best frontcourt floor general when he’s in the game and dictating the offense, and without him the outlook of the Clippers’ core big men is far more sparse and far less talented. In DeAndre Jordan, though, they have a different kind of talent.
One that’s based on sheer athleticism, physicality, terrifying dunking and top-tier defense. Beyond the hideous 42.4 percent free throw shooting, he has a skill set — both athletically and defensively — that makes him so valuable to the Clippers. It’s why they were right in prying him away from the desperate hands of the Dallas Mavericks last summer, and why he’s worth a four-year $88 million contract to them.
They need everything he has to offer, even if they’d prefer to have a little more.
Now, more than ever, Jordan is needed. Every rebound, every authoritative put-back, every pick-and-roll throwdown and every lucky free throw. Despite Cole Aldrich‘s surprisingly successful efforts as the new backup center this season, and whatever Jeff Green can bring (albeit inconsistently) as a stretch four, Jordan’s play at center is pivotal to the team’s success.
Chris Paul has hurled himself into the MVP conversation for whoever takes second place behind Stephen Curry with such Point God-like play, but without Jordan’s performance, the Clippers wouldn’t be 20-6 since losing Griffin.
As a reigning All-NBA third team and All-Defensive first team player, we know that defense is what Jordan brings to the table. And that’s obviously no different this season. While he isn’t the best defensive big man in the game, he can still chase down wings driving to the basket better than most, he can explode quick enough to contest almost any shot, and he keeps improving when it comes to defending opponents in the post.
In fact, out of the 13 big men who defend at least eight field goal attempts at the rim per game, only Brook Lopez, Pau Gasol and (of course) Rudy Gobert force players to shoot a lower percentage at the basket than Jordan’s mark of 46.9 percent (per NBA.com).
Add on his 2.3 blocks per game, which is good enough for the second best in the NBA behind Hassan Whiteside, and it’s clear just how well Jordan is playing.
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This season, the Clippers now trail by an average of 5.3 points per 100 possessions without Jordan. Yet, when he’s in the game, their net rating soars to +8.7. On top of that, he ranks 4th in the league for defensive box plus-minus (3.6), 3rd for defensive win shares (5.4) and even 9th for overall win shares (8.2).
The numbers aren’t surprising when considering his talent and how he commands the paint for his team at both ends of the floor. When he’s at his most attentive and alert, he can put anyone through a gruelling and intimidating workout as they attempt to drive to the basket or take him in the post.
Now, thanks to three 20-rebound games in his last 10 outings, Jordan’s up to an average of 16.7 rebounds in this span and 14.2 for the season. The rest of the team just can’t control the boards without him, and even with his dominance on the glass the Clippers rank a mere 21st in rebounds per game — 33.25 percent of which are accounted for by Jordan alone.
Another element of Jordan’s game that has started to appear in sudden flashes are new features of his offensive repertoire. He scores within arm’s reach of the basket more than any other player in the NBA and he knows that. When you lead the league in field goal percentage for four straight seasons and 47.8 percent of your shots in that span are dunks, it’s impossible to ignore that your athletic gifts are carrying your offensive game.
This is obviously still the case, but with a couple of moves to the basket and actually creating his own shot at times, from not-so-elegant spin moves from the elbow or the occasional low-post hook shot, Jordan has at least started demonstrating some varied scoring besides the typical aerial barrage.
If there’s any way this can continue and improve, even if it’s just a couple of times a game, this can add more to the Clippers’ offense than you’d think. Simply being able to utilize Jordan outside of a pick-and-roll or drop off pass under the basket will help expand his role and his teammates’ options immensely.
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Defense, as always, is the key to Jordan’s impact, though. Doc Rivers commented on his play against the Phoenix Suns as the Clippers rolled past them for a 124-84 win (per Dan Woike of the Orange County Register):
"“He was absolutely wonderful – all over the floor,” Rivers said. “… When he plays like that, it makes us really good defensively.”"
“Explosive” is normally the word that comes to mind when describing Jordan’s game. He’s softened the blow of losing Griffin along with Paul, J.J. Redick and the improved bench, yet he hasn’t received much attention for doing so. Without doubt, he’s earned far more recognition for the team’s startling success.
When thinking about how well he’s playing right now, “wonderful” is a pretty apt description. Enjoy it and appreciate it, Clippers fans.