DeAndre Jordan is so much more than the defensive anchor that keeps the LA Clippers’ ship from sailing away.
The Cleveland Cavaliers are LeBron James‘ team. The New York Knicks are Carmelo Anthony‘s team. The LA Clippers are DeAndre Jordan‘s team.
Don’t get me wrong. I am in no way equating DeAndre to LeBron James or Carmelo Anthony. Chris Paul is obviously the best player on the Clippers. The successes the Clippers have had over the past several years are largely attached to him, and rightfully so. There’s also Blake Griffin, who was truly the first step in turning the franchise around for good.
During the infamous but fun Lob City days, whenever someone would think the Clippers, they’d think Blake and Chris. They’re the faces of the franchise, and have always been. Chris and Blake. Blake and Chris. One of the best duos in the NBA and what the Clippers desperately needed for so long. Fast forward to the present, and DeAndre has expanded their duo to a big three to include himself. But even still, DJ is always the third wheel of the Big 3, and he deserves so much more.
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More often than not, DJ is overlooked as the guy who just happened to be there the whole time, experiencing everything with little impact on the game. That’s far from true. Of all the people it takes to run a sports franchise, there are only several people in its entirety who’ve been with the team longer than him and are still there now. In other words, he’s one of the only people that experienced firsthand the Stone Ages of the past and is still here for the Renaissance period. He’s been there when the team was rock bottom and is now here for the team’s success.
Through hell and high water, DeAndre has been here. He’s seen players come and go, and was as close to doing so himself that you can be. He’s seen it all with the Clippers, and he deserves to win it all with the Clippers just as much, if not more than Blake and Chris.