Clippers center DeAndre Jordan makes his first NBA All-Star team
Clippers center DeAndre Jordan (6) dunks the ball as 76ers’ Nerlens Noel and Gerald Henderson, left, watch during a game Jan. 24.
His immense talent at rebounding and his athleticism on defense, which few can match in the NBA, earned Clippers center DeAndre Jordan a selection as a reserve on the Western Conference All-Star team.
For the first time in his nine-year career, the NBA coaches who vote for the All-Star reserves decided Jordan deserves a place in the run-and-gun All-Star contest.
The 28-year-old Jordan expressed his happiness after the NBA announced Thursday night that he would be among the reserves in the All-Star game in New Orleans on Feb. 19.
“I’m truly honored to be selected by the coaches to play in my first All-Star game,” Jordan said in a statement. “I am excited to represent the Clippers in New Orleans.”
The other reserves named to the West squad are Oklahoma City’s Russell Westbrook, Golden State’s Klay Thompson and Draymond Green, Sacramento’s DeMarcus Cousins, Memphis’ Marc Gasol and Utah’s Gordon Hayward.
Boston’s Isaiah Thomas, Washington’s John Wall, Cleveland’s Kevin Love, Toronto’s Kyle Lowry, Indiana’s Paul Love, Charlotte’s Kemba Walker and Atlanta’s Paul Millsap were picked as reserves for the Eastern Conference All-Star team.
The starters for the All-Star game, who were announced last week, were voted in by fans (50%), media (25%) and players (25%).
The West starters are Golden State’s Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant, Houston’s James Harden, New Orleans’ Anthony Davis and San Antonio’s Kawhi Leonard.
The Eastern Conference starters are Cleveland’s LeBron James and Kyrie Irving, Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo, Chicago’s Jimmy Butler and Toronto’s DeMar DeRozan.
Jordan’s selection is somewhat of a culmination of his tremendous play in the past year.
He was named to the All-NBA and All-Defensive first teams last season.
He was the starting center on the U.S.’ gold-medal winning Olympic basketball team last summer in Rio de Janeiro.
This season, Jordan has had eight games with 20-plus rebounds, leading the league.
Jordan also leads the league in rebounds, averaging 14.0 per game, and field-goal percentage, shooting 69% from the field. He is tied for third in offensive rebounds, collecting 3.7 per game. He is also averaging 12.5 points.
And Jordan ranks seventh in the league in blocked shots (1.79), second among centers in defensive rating (102.5), and he is 13th in the league in double-doubles with 21.
Twitter: @BA_Turner
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