DeAndre Jordan is a max contract center in the NBA, and the last few games have solidified that
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He may not have a reliable jump shot or even much of an offensive game, but DeAndre Jordan is a max contract player in the NBA.
Jordan, who becomes a free agent at the end of the season, is averaging 11 points, 14 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game this season. Which, with what his role asks, is probably a little more than what the Los Angeles Clippers demand from the 7-footer on a nightly basis.
Although, when a player of the caliber of Blake Griffin exists the lineup, that necessity for a dominant center grows. Coincidently, that’s exactly what Jordan has been during the last five games with Griffin out.
At the same time, he’s making himself a good amount of dough.
In the five games that Griffin has missed due to a staph infection, Jordan is averaging 18.2 points, 18 rebounds and two blocks per game. What’s most impressive about his recent tear is that when the Clippers faced off against three of the better teams on the schedule (Dallas Mavericks, Houston Rockets and San Antonio Spurs), Jordan put together his best performances.
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Generated 2/23/2015.
Jordan nearly put together three 20-20 games back-to-back-to-back. That’s…impressive. More importantly, that’s the type of performances that max contract centers compile.
By the way, this isn’t just a situation where Jordan is simply putting up insanely great numbers. In these games, the Clippers are also winning. Since Griffin’s injury, the Clippers are actually 4-1. When most thought they would begin to fall back to the pack of the bottom feeders in the Western Conference, perhaps even fall out of the playoff picture in its entirety, the Clippers have done the complete opposite.
And while Chris Paul will likely garner most of the credit for keeping the Clippers afloat in the Western Conference, considering the teams that they’ve had to play over the last week and a half, Jordan shouldn’t be overlooked.
He’s slowly transitioning himself into a serious center in the NBA — and he’s finally beginning to become a force on the offensive end. Or at least, many are beginning to see his true potential on that side of the ball.
The argument against Jordan? We all know it.
Charles Barkley said something like: you could lock DeAndre Jordan in a gym over night and not allow him to dunk the basketball and he’ll only have eight points. We know. He doesn’t have a jump shot in his arsenal and, much less, a post game.
But, in today’s NBA, does it really matter?
You don’t really need a offensive potent low post presence to win an NBA Championship in today’s NBA. The last time a team with a dominant center won an NBA Championship was probably back in the early-2000’s when Tim Duncan was the focal point of the San Antonio Spurs offense.
Even though Duncan won another title with the Spurs last season, I don’t think we can categorize him as “dominant” at this point in his career.
Nevertheless, the NBA game has changed. There are no more Shaquille O’Neal‘s or Hakeem Olajuwon‘s. There are probably more DeAndre Jordan’s in the league than there are of the former.
And perhaps not even enough.
When DeAndre Jordan hits free agency this summer, don’t be surprised when he warrants a max contract. Because he deserves it.
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