The 2015 NBA offseason could be the Los Angeles Clippers’ chance to hit the reset button. It could also be the Clippers’ opportunity to lock up one of the fastest rising players in the NBA for the long-haul.
Regardless of the approach, embattled center DeAndre Jordan has escaped the label of an enigma and positioned himself for a massive new contract.
Jordan’s been productive over the past two seasons, but his play in recent weeks is what’s caught many by surprise. Blake Griffin has missed the past five games, and is expected to be sidelined for the foreseeable future after undergoing surgery on a staph infection in his right elbow.
Jordan has responded by averaging 18.2 points, 18.0 rebounds, 1.8 blocks and 1.8 steals in that five-game span.
Coupled with this five-game period of brilliance is a two-season span of extraordinary progression. He’s no longer limited to being an explosive athlete who can dunk in transition, as he’s become a dominant force on the boards and an impact player defensively.
It just doesn’t hurt that he can still throw down dunks in transition.
Come the summer of 2015, Jordan will be cashing in on a giant new contract.
Remarkable Effficiency
DeAndre Jordan is currently averaging 11.0 points, a league-best 13.9 rebounds, 4.7 offensive boards, 2.3 blocks and 1.0 steal in 33.6 minutes per contest. He’s shooting an incomparable 71.7 percent from the field to balance out his dreadful 40.9 percent free throw shooting.
Jordan recently completed one of the most impressive streaks in NBA history.
DeAndre Jordan's streak of 40-straight games shooting 50+% came to an end Saturday night. It's the longest such streak in NBA History
— NBA.com/Stats (@nbastats) February 22, 2015
No matter how expansive his offensive game may or may not be, that’s extraordinary efficiency.
Jordan’s mark of 71.7 percent shooting from the field leads the NBA by a healthy margin of 3.9 percent. Tyson Chandler of the Dallas Mavericks checks in at No. 2 at 67.8 percent, and he’s a very good comparison for the offensive player Jordan’s becoming.
Much like Chandler, he makes the most of his limited scoring opportunities. Point in case:
DeAndre Jordan is the first player since 1985 (Bill Walton) with at least 11 points and 15 rebounds in 21 minutes or less.
— Arash Markazi (@ArashMarkazi) February 22, 2015
While he may not offer much in terms of offensive versatility, Jordan’s efficiency from the field is as otherworldly as it seems.
According to Basketball-Reference.com, only two players in NBA history have attempted at least 250 field goals and shot better than 70.0 percent from the field: Jordan in 2014-15 and Wilt Chamberlain in 1972-73.
Clearly, Chamberlain had a more expansive offensive role as a facilitator and a post scorer. Nevertheless, it’s undeniably impressive for a player to convert at least 70.0 percent of their field goals.
At this rate, Jordan’s historic efficiency could be enough to raise his price tag.
Dominating the Glass
A staple in Doc Rivers’ teams has been a high level of defensive intensity, but a not-so-elite performance on the glass. That didn’t prevent Rivers from winning a title or making a second NBA Finals appearance, but rebounding wasn’t much of a strong suit for the Boston Celtics or the 2013-14 Clippers.
That remains true, but DeAndre Jordan is a powerful force on the glass who Rivers is utilizing to perfection.
Jordan led the league with 13.6 rebounds per game in 2013-14, and he ranks No. 1 again with 13.9 in 2014-15. He ranked No. 2 in both defensive and offensive rebounds per contest in 2013-14 and is No. 2 in both areas again in 2014-15.
In other words, Jordan dominates the glass.
Back-to-back 20-point and 20-rebound games should be evidence enough.
To have a player with that type of presence on the boards is nothing short of invaluable. Regardless of how a team approaches the game, having an individual who controls the defensive glass and creates second-chance scoring opportunities is critical.
Jordan is a proven commodity in that regard.
Rim Protector
The Los Angeles Clippers are No. 23 in the NBA in scoring defense at 100.9 points allowed per game. Los Angeles is also No. 18 in defensive efficiency at 104.2 opponent points per 100 possessions.
Led by DeAndre Jordan, however, the Clippers are No. 6 in the association in points allowed in the paint per contest.
The team defense is faltering, but Jordan continues to make fundamental improvements on defense. Once an athletic shot-blocker, he’s now a genuine impact player on that end of the floor.
Not only is he No. 3 in blocks per game, but he’s become a genuine rim protector.
It’s unclear whether or not Jordan can be an actual defensive anchor outside of the paint. What’s already known is that his combination of size, length and athleticism is world-class.
Jordan stands at 6’11” with a 7’6″ wingspan, which makes him an easy enough player to plug into a good defensive system. Under head coach Doc Rivers, he’s discovered his niche.
With his offensive efficiency through the roof, his rebounding remaining at an elite level and his defense rapidly improving, Jordan is working his way towards big money.
Next: International NBA Players on the Path to Stardom
More from Hoops Habit
- The 5 most dominant NBA players who never won a championship
- 7 Players the Miami Heat might replace Herro with by the trade deadline
- Meet Cooper Flagg: The best American prospect since LeBron James
- Are the Miami Heat laying the groundwork for their next super team?
- Sophomore Jump: 5 second-year NBA players bound to breakout