Los Angeles Clippers 2012-2013 Player Preview: DeAndre Jordan

Paul Abell-US PRESSWIRE

This is the first Los Angeles Clippers 2012-2013 player preview, where we will preview each player headed into the 2012-2013 season. Today, we will take a look at starting center DeAndre Jordan, who will be entering his fifth season in the NBA.  He was drafted four years ago by the Clippers in the second round of the 2008 NBA draft, out of Texas A&M.

 

Jordan is known as one of the most athletic big men throughout the league, being able to run the floor at 6’11”, 265 lbs. This leads to him getting open looks at the rim on the fast break, with point guard Chris Paul throwing lobs up to him from half court at times. Those are usually the only open looks he gets all game though, averaging just 7.4 points per game last season. After four years in the league he has yet to develop any kind of offensive game.

 

However, free throw shooting is what Jordan struggles at the most, forcing teams to willingly use the “Hack-a-Shaq” technique against the Clippers. He finished last season with a .525 % free throw percentage, which ranked him 413 out of 459 players who shot a free throw last season. (Blake Griffin is ranked 414 with a .521 % free throw percentage.) The Clippers shouldn’t be able to leave practice until they make at least 100 free throws, taking a page right out of my Middle School coach’s technique.

 

The strengths that Jordan brings to the table come on the defensive end of the floor. He can change the way teams attack the basket, finishing fourth in the NBA with 2.0 blocks per game last season. The long wingspan of Jordan can alter most shots throughout the course of a game, making it difficult for teams to get any easy looks inside of the paint. When it comes to rebounding he is solid, but should be better at it. He finished last season with 8.3 rebounds per game. At 6’11”, with an unbelievable athletic ability, he should be getting 10 or more rebounds every single night.

 

Jordan needs to improve his free throw shooting, rebounding, and develop an offensive game this season. The Clippers really don’t even need an offensive game from him, but it would be nice for him to have some offensive moves down in the post. It will be crucial for him to become a better free throw shooter, so teams no longer foul him for three minutes straight at the end of games. He also needs to become better at rebounding, meaning he needs to be more aggressive. The Clippers will be better off if he can grab double-digit rebounds on a nightly basis alongside of Griffin during the 2012-2013 season.

 

2012-2013 Projection: 7.8 PPG, 10.2 RPG, 2.6 BPG.

 

The Clippers will need to see lots of improvement from their starting center this season, especially if they want to compete in a tough western conference.

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