Clippers: Picking events for L.A.’s stars at Rio Olympics
By Tom West
DeAndre Jordan – Beach Volleyball
DeAndre Jordan has been making the most of his time in Rio. He’s been an exuberant cheerleader for Michael Phelps with close friend Kevin Durant, he’s become increasingly important to Team USA on the court due to his defense and intensity, and he’s been taking to the beach to get in some volleyball practice.
Out of any of these fantasy Olympic suggestions, this is perhaps the most realistic. Because for a 6’11” man with such rare leaping ability for his size and a 7’6″ wingspan, how could such physical gifts not be effectively applied to beach volleyball?
At the very least, even though Jordan may not nearly have all the skill and tactical elements down just yet, his physical ability gives him a pretty absurd advantage from the get go. Plus, being able to simply smash the ball rather than shooting free throws can’t hurt either.
For a glimpse of Jordan in some casual, coconut-holding beach volleyball practice, see him have a go for yourself as he joined his fellow members of Team USA men’s basketball.
If Jordan ever decides to venture into some more volleyball in his spare time, it’s hard to think that his skill set of rising high for what should be out-of-reach alley-oops, rejecting shots above the rim, and generally delivering a well coordinated, aerial skill set wouldn’t help him on the beach.
Jordan has everything you physically want in a guy who can spike the ball down for easy points and smother any effort from opponents to swat the ball over the net.
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