DeAndre Jordan: Monster Of The Paint
- Updated: October 25, 2016
Journey back to childhood with me for a moment. It’s almost time for bed. Just before the lights go out you check under your bed and get a twinge of fear in your gut that a monster might be there to meet your eye as you peek. You turn the lights out, you lay back and even though you checked, you still fear it might be there. That same twinge can be felt by any player attempting to drive into the paint on the Clippers defense. All because of one player, DeAndre Jordan.
Jordan can be just as terrifying to an opposing offense as that monster you once feared and just because they checked before they drove, it doesn’t mean he won’t be there for a boisterous swat.
Averaging 2.3 blocks per game last season Jordan was second in the league. But blocked shots doesn’t always tell the tale. There is no stat for redirected shots, or shots in the paint the opposition simply won’t try because they see the 6’11” behemoth patrolling his turf.
If not for a fantastic season from Andre Drummond on the boards, Jordan would have won his third straight rebounding title. He had to settle for second. With a jaw-dropping 13.8 rebounds per game. The highest total by any player to not win the rebounding title since Dwight Howard finished second in the 2010-11 season with 14.1.
Snatching up boards and returning shots back from whence they came isn’t all the former Texas A&M Aggie can bring to the court however. Offense definitely isn’t the area of greatest strength for Jordan. However there was certainly an improvement in the big man’s game last season. Setting a career high in points with 12.7 per game and adding a cheeky hook shot in the post has given him exactly the boost he needed on that side of the ball.
Expect Jordan to own the low block this upcoming season. Just like he has ever since Doc Rivers took over the squad back in 2013-14.
With blocks a plenty and the rebounds flowing there is one thing opposing teams will be sure to plan on when they play the Clippers. That twinge when they make a drive to the hoop. All because the Monster Of The Paint is lurking.
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