This summer DeAndre Jordan’s LA Clippers teammates were terrified the big 26-year-old was going to take his wingspan, his 42% free throw shooting, and his fleet feet to the Dallas Mavericks. So Clippers owner Steve Ballmer, head coach Doc Rivers and assorted veteran teammates like Chris Paul and Paul Pierce hazed young Jordan into staying with the team. They actually all flew to Jordan’s house and barricaded him in until he reneged on a deal he had with Mavs owner Mark Cuban. The morality of the Clippers strategy — and the intimidation tactics — are highly questionable. (Paul is President of the NBA Players Association.) But it worked. Jordan is still a Clipper.
[Doc Rivers, Chris Paul — Hungover — Recall DeAndre Jordan Can’t Shoot]
Want to mark your calendar for one of the most spirited early NBA games of the season? DeAndre Jordan and the Clippers will visit the spurned Mavericks in Dallas on November 11, when Jordan is sure to get a welcome he won’t ever forget. But you won’t have to wait that long to see the Mavs take on the Clippers. The Mavs will see Jordan and the guys who convinced/intimidated him on the second night of the season — October 29 — in LA at the Staples Center.
