Chris Paul and the Clippers are smiling again these days, especially after they were able to convince DeAndre Jordan to stay in Los Angeles.
After anxious moments, which saw the Clippers looking a lot like a team without a man in the middle, Jordan started casting doubts on whether he should join Dallas or stay in Los Angeles.
Paul had been originally singled out as a reason, something that dates back to last season. Apparently Jordan felt that he wasn't good enough to appease Paul, something that included the exclusion of Jordan when the usual high fives were given by the All Star guard to his teammates. Apparently such sent a wrong signal and Jordan took it the wrong way.
Compounding that was the fact that the Clippers didn't seem to care whether DJ would leave Los Angeles or not, especially when it was time to talk about his contract. Jordan felt that he was no longer needed and hence found some place that wanted him there – the Dallas Mavericks.
The Clippers were of course shocked, probably realizing that they took Jordan for granted. The Clippers scrambled to try and nab a big man but by that time, the best talents were already committed to other teams – including Jordan.
But once the Clippers heard that Jordan was having second thoughts, the team scampered and got everyone together to talk to the longtime Clippers center. And once the misunderstandings were settled, Jordan decided to stay.
As far as Paul is concerned, it was an apparent case of miscommunication. Jordan took it the wrong way and Paul explained that Jordan shouldn't have felt that way.
"DeAndre is like my … big little brother. We talk a lot more than people realize, but, it doesn't matter. Only thing that matters is that he's back," said Paul at the NBA Players Awards.
With all the drama now done and over with, Paul seems to be all fired up for the coming season. Well, who wouldn't be?
Aside from Jordan, the team has new firepower and muscle in Paul Pierce and Lance Stephenson.
In the end, the Clippers looked from lost boys to contenders as they try to match the talent of other teams in the highly competitive Western Conference in the coming season. Will the Clippers' new roster be enough to stand up against the likes of the Golden State Warriors and the San Antonio Spurs?
