Doc Rivers not worried about scorn DeAndre Jordan could face

DeAndre Jordan

DeAndre Jordan/Photo courtesy of Los Angeles Clippers, NBA.com

 

In this world of haters – both those attending sporting events as well as those on Twitter – one has to wonder how much disdain DeAndre Jordan is going to face in the upcoming season as he and the Clippers make their way around the league. After all, Jordan did back out of a contract to which he verbally agreed with the Dallas Mavericks in order to re-sign with the Clippers.

Coach Doc Rivers on Thursday during a conference call said he is not worried about that.

“No, I think he gets heckled enough anyway,” Rivers said. “I don’t think we’re worried about that. When you’re on the road, you’re probably going to get booed and heckled as a group and the better you are, the more it’s going to happen.

“Listen, I played for the Knicks back when we were the bad boys of physicality. I played with the Celtics, which, other than the Boston people, people don’t love. That’s part of the game. I’m sure there will be some. There will be some at me and at Chris (Paul) and at Jamal (Crawford) and DJ and at Blake (Griffin) for whatever other reasons. That’s just sports. But that’s separate than the haters.”

Rivers talked about the social media aspect of all this. Jordan has taken his share of heat on Twitter since changing his mind and leaving the Mavericks and their owner – Mark Cuban – out in the cold.

“I think what the internet has done is make a lot of people brave because they’re faceless,” Rivers said. “Growing up in the league, when I grew up, everyone that wrote something was there every day. That’s why I appreciate all the beat guys that are there every day. They don’t have to agree with me every day, they have to take my crap at times, but at least they show their face.”

But, seriously, can you imagine what it’s going to be like the first time the Clippers play at Dallas? Wow!