The DeAndre Jordan free agency fiasco was one we won’t soon forget, and it has sparked an anticipating Clippers/Mavericks rivalry for this upcoming season.
Ever since Jordan made a verbal commitment to sign with the Dallas Mavericks, then spurned owner Mark Cuban and the Mavs to stay with the Clippers, it’s been an ongoing back-and-forth between involved parties.
Cuban recently said that Doc Rivers’ professional career was literally on the line when it came to retaining Jordan. Here was Rivers’ response, via Dan Woike of the Orange County Register:
“I’ll say this. I’m so grateful to work for a team owned by Steve Ballmer, someone who stands for character and substance and who is so loyal,” Rivers said. “He is someone who I know will stand with me, even when things aren’t always going our way. I think what happened with D.J. was he decided to choose substance and character over smoke and mirrors.”
That’s a nice subliminal shot from Doc.
What Rivers was also alluding to in his response was a sense of loyalty, but in referencing the specific nature and character of Clippers owner Steve Ballmer, he was able to address Cuban indirectly. Jordan had a different atmosphere and role awaiting him as a member of the Mavericks, and that appeal was believed to play a major role in his decision to verbally commit with Dallas initially. Those big promises and expectations were the “smoke and mirrors” Doc might have been referring to.
When Doc, DeAndre, and the Clippers visit the Mavericks on Nov. 11, which is one of our top 10 games to watch in the first 10 weeks of the 2015-16 season, this narrative will be the weighing undercurrent of that atmosphere.
