DeAndre Jordan leaving the Los Angeles Clippers for the Dallas Mavericks was a huge domino in the NBA’s free agency period. And if you’re wondering if a factor other than money went into his decision-making, you’re goddamn right it did.
Jordan, who butted heads with Clippers point guard Chris Paul more than a few times, was apparently disenchanted with his former teammate’s antics.
ESPN’s Kevin Arnovitz spills the beans:
He was tired of Paul’s constant barking and petty gestures, like distributing high-fives to the three other guys on the floor following a timeout but somehow freezing out Jordan. Optics aside, the biggest issue for Jordan was that, despite the leaps and bounds he made to be named first team all-defense, the Clippers always treated him like the player he was when he arrived in the NBA, and never like the player he’d become.
High fives: they’re important!
I don’t know what’s sadder: the fact that a hand-slapping ritual played a role in Jordan’s decision or Paul alienating one of his most important teammates out of spite. I guess it’s just a reminder that sports are played by real human beings with real human feelings.
Jordan’s new mates on the Mavericks better be ready to give him dap when he makes a good play — or suffer the consequences.