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Clippers’ DeAndre Jordan on pace to rewrite NBA single-season marks

By Brandon C. Williams

Jan 3, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers center DeAndre Jordan (6) dunks the ball against the Los Angeles Clippers during the second quarter at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 3, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers center DeAndre Jordan (6) dunks the ball against the Los Angeles Clippers during the second quarter at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports /
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Clippers center DeAndre Jordan is on pace to become the first player since Wilt Chamberlain to lead the NBA in rebounding and field goal percentage.

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DeAndre Jordan is an All-Star caliber center, yet no one will ever confuse the Clippers’ big man with NBA immortal Wilt Chamberlain. That is, until now.

Jordan stands in very good position to equal one of Chamberlain’s hallowed records as he approaches the All-Star Break, leading the NBA in both rebounding (13.4) and field goal percentage (73.4). Should he maintain his pace, Jordan will become the first player since big Wilt to lead the Association in both categories in consecutive seasons since Chamberlain did so in 1971-72 and 1972-73 with the Lakers.

He also is in range to equal Chamberlain in the rarefied air of shooting over 70 percent, as Chamberlain is the only player to reach that plateau (1972-73). Jordan’s 67.6 percent mark last season was the fourth-highest in NBA history; his current numbers would break Chamberlain’s mark.

It’s numbers like those that has Clippers coach Doc Rivers wondering aloud why Jordan wasn’t a starter on the Western Conference All-Star team.

“That’s been my point. Why isn’t nobody noticing that?,” Rivers said. “It’s amazing. I mean, what DJ has done last year and this year, it’s been amazing.”

Well…

…for starters, Jordan’s offensive numbers pale in comparison to the likes of the Thunder’s Kevin Durant, Trail Blazers‘ stalwart LaMarcus Aldridge and Dwight Howard of the Rockets. While Jordan has emerged as a more potent offensive threat this season, he also remains far from a household name in the eyes of casual NBA fans.

Jordan’s offensive game is primarily catch and stuff, as he leads the NBA with 138 dunks (yes, we’re all wondering just how many dunks Chamberlain would have had if the stat was official in his era. The answer: a hell of a lot). That would explain why he’s in such esteem territory.

He does stand a decent chance to make the Western Conference All-Star reserves when they are announced on Thursday night.

“I think if DJ was doing what he’s doing on the defensive end on the offensive end, he’d be in,” Rivers said. “And every coach tells you that they want their players to sacrifice and be All-Star role players. Then you have a guy that actually does it and they don’t reward him. It just makes no sense to me. I’m trying to get the coaches to back their talk up basically and vote for DJ.”

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