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LA Clippers: What DeAndre Jordan can do against the Utah Jazz

By Jasmine Robinson

Mar 25, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers center DeAndre Jordan (6) reacts after a dunk over Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) in the first half of the game at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 25, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers center DeAndre Jordan (6) reacts after a dunk over Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) in the first half of the game at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 25, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers center DeAndre Jordan (6) guards Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) in the first half of the game at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 25, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers center DeAndre Jordan (6) guards Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) in the first half of the game at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /

Match-up vs Gobert

The Clippers wouldn’t be what they are today without DeAndre Jordan. DJ is an irreplaceable piece, and it’s finally time for him to prove his worth to the world. In the first round match-up, DeAndre will be going head-to-head against Rudy Gobert, another center working to establish himself as one of the best.

If you recall, DJ knocked Gobert off of the NBA All-Star reserves squad this past year. Many people thought that DJ was undeserving, and that Gobert was snubbed. This resulted in somewhat of a feud between the two centers that played out over the next few games they played against each other.

This season, the Clippers have won the series with the Jazz 3-1. In these match ups, DJ out rebounded Gobert and had more blocks per game, but Gobert averaged more points and shot better from the field. You could make the case for either player regarding who is better and why, but this playoff match up should make it very clear who the more dominant player is.

When asked about the matchup between him and Gobert, DeAndre downplayed it, saying that it’s more than just them two. But here’s what he did say about the Stifle Tower:

"For our team, we have to definitely attack him on both ends of the floor. We can’t let him be the aggressor and control what we do."

Defense

The cliche “defense wins championships” rings true, and it will have to for DJ against the Jazz. His main focus will be defense as always. And as the reigning center on the All Defensive 1st Team, it’s a part of his game that he has perfected.

“For us, it’s our defense, and coming out with that intensity and mindset to get stops,” DJ said following his spectacular 18 point, 17 rebound game in the win against the Kings.

The Jazz are one of the best defensive teams in the league and it’s important that the Clippers come out and play with that same intensity.

“A lot of this series for us will be defense and rebounding, and making it tough for those guys,” DJ told the media during practice on Friday.

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