Clippers promote DeAndre Jordan as NBA’s defensive player of the year
Clippers center DeAndre Jordan finishes off a dunk against the Mavericks on March 13. Which uniform will he be wearing next season?
The Clippers are promoting DeAndre Jordan to become the NBA’s defensive player of the year award winner.
They produced fliers that had all of Jordan’s pertinent stat information, making sure the media doesn’t forget the type of season the center is having.
“We passed out stuff last year for Jamal [Crawford] for sixth man, and we were successful,” Rivers said about Crawford winning the NBA’s sixth man of the year award for the 2013-14 season. “I’m hoping that we’re successful again.”
Jordan, who will be an unrestricted free agent this summer, is having a tremendous season.
Entering Friday night’s game against Washington, Jordan was first in the league in rebounds (14.7 per game) and defensive rebounds (10). He was fourth in blocked shots (2.19).
He has grabbed at least 15 rebounds in 15 of his last 17 games and has six games with 20-plus rebounds since the start of February.
“I think it’s good to support players in any way,” Rivers said. “I don’t know if I believe in it or not, if you want my real answer. But I think that’s what you should do, because that’s what every other team does.”
Clippers keep Hamilton
When the Clippers signed Jordan Hamilton for the rest of the season Friday, Rivers said that it was clear the small forward “can score the basketball” in the NBA.
The next step, Rivers said, is for Hamilton to become a better defender.
Hamilton, who returned after missing two games because of a sprained right ankle, is fully aware that he has to improve his defense.
“You just got to seize the moment and do everything that the coaches want me to do and work extra hard and show these guys that I can play,” Hamilton said. “They want me to get better on the defensive end, and that’s what I’m doing.”
Medical report
Crawford remained out with a bruised right calf.
“I think he’s feeling a lot better, from what I hear over the last couple of days,” Rivers said. “But I don’t think the timeline has been moved forward at all.”
Glen Davis didn’t play because of a stomach illness.
Twitter: @BA_Turner
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