DeAndre Jordan has been forced to accept a lesser role over the last few roles than the one he held when he was with the LA Clippers.
Jordan was one of the most important players for the LA Clippers during their Lob City era, alongside Chris Paul and Blake Griffin. But since leaving LA, he has become a role player in the NBA, bouncing from team to team over the last few years.
Jordan started this season in Los Angeles, but the Lakers eventually waived him and he signed with the Philadelphia 76ers to play under his former Clippers head coach Doc Rivers.
Jordan has been serving as the backup for Joel Embiid but has been thrust into a starting role recently thanks to Embiid’s injury. His performance in Game 1 against Miami last night wasn’t good, but Doc Rivers says he will continue to start Jordan despite the criticisms.
Doc Rivers: “We like DJ. We’re gonna keep starting him whether you like it or not.” #Sixers
— Ky Carlin (@Ky_Carlin) May 3, 2022
“We like DJ. We’re gonna keep starting him whether you like it or not.”
Jordan has been playing poorly for quite some time, but because of his presence in the paint and what he can provide as a traditional big, he continues to find opportunities in the league as a backup center.
Jordan isn’t relied on to play big minutes for franchises, but with Embiid’s injury, the 76ers don’t have other options to play at the center position.
So Jordan, for all his flaws, is all the 76ers have. The main hope from playing Jordan will be that he can set good screens for James Harden, who in Embiid’s absence, will be the primary offensive option for the 76ers in their series against the Miami Heat. Harden also noted that he needs to be more aggressive in Embiid’s absence, something that is true for the rest of the 76ers players.
