DeAndre Jordan talks about his alleged discord with Chris Paul

DeAndre Jordan

DeAndre Jordan/Photo courtesy of Los Angeles Clippers

 

A beef with teammate Chris Paul was supposedly one reason why DeAndre Jordan initially accepted a deal to leave the Clippers and sign with the Dallas Mavericks. Jordan on Tuesday was asked about that when he and several other Clippers played host to a news conference at Staples Center.

“I love Chris,” said Jordan, who changed his mind and re-signed with the Clippers. “When Chris got here he changed the culture of our team. He helped me out in so many ways on and off the floor, just becoming a better player and a student of the game. I know it maybe looked that way on the floor because we were both emotional and vocal players. But when it comes down to it, we’re all criticizing each other because we want what’s best for the team.

“And I just feel like when you do butt heads on the floor, 30 seconds later it’s over because we’re all trying to win a basketball game. And I think that we let facial expressions and outside stories dictate what we believe. But Chris is like a big brother to me and other guys on this team.”

Paul allegedly was unhappy that the poor free-throw shooting Jordan did not spend enough time working on that part of his game.

Jordan has spent all seven seasons of his career with the Clippers. He signed on for four more at a total of roughly $88 million.