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Earlier today DeAndre Jordan made his decision that he will be joining the Dallas Mavericks for the next 4 seasons, and with that we are getting some details on why he might have left the Clippers.
Despite the rumors of DeAndre Jordan and Chris Paul not getting along, Head Coach Doc Rivers denied the two not getting along by saying:
I think all three, and I’m including Blake in this as well, understand how important the other guy is to them. Meaning, they all three need each other to win, and I think all three get that and all three know that and all three want to do it together. To me, that’s the most important thing.”
Clearly Jordan didn’t feel the same way Rivers did. Not only did Rivers come to defense of the two, but Clippers player Dahntay Jones did as well.
According to CBS Sports’ Ken Berger the rift was real.
On one hand, there was Jordan’s relationship with Clippers All-Star Chris Paul, which sources told CBSSports.com was demonstrably poor. These things are never one man’s fault, but they believe that Jordan’s relationship with the man who got him the ball in LA played a role here.
It’s clear the rift was real to some extent if Jordan left the Clippers, and the head coach is playing damage control at the end of the season.
Chris Paul is one of the stars in this league that isn’t afraid to tell it like it is maybe not on Kobe Bryant’s level, but I still think it’s a little overrated that it’s the only reason Jordan left.
DeAndre Jordan saw an opportunity for his career with more offensive touches once Dirk Nowitzki retires and the possibility of the Mavericks long term success.
A lot of teams go through some sort of disagreements it’s unrealistic to ask 15 guys to get along perfectly through an 82+ game season in the Los Angeles Clippers case, but we may never know the extent of the arguments may have been.
