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DeAndre Jordan joins Wilt Chamberlain, Shaq, and Chris Dudley with poor free throw performance

By FanSided Staff

Mar 22, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers center DeAndre Jordan (6) high-fives forward Blake Griffin (32) after scoring the the second half against the New Orleans Pelicans at Staples Center. Left is Los Angeles Clippers forward Matt Barnes (22). The Clippers won 107-100. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 22, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers center DeAndre Jordan (6) high-fives forward Blake Griffin (32) after scoring the the second half against the New Orleans Pelicans at Staples Center. Left is Los Angeles Clippers forward Matt Barnes (22). The Clippers won 107-100. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports /
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DeAndre Jordan made just 3-of-15 free throws to join Wilt Chamberlain, Shaquille O’Neal, and Chris Dudley as the only four players to do so.

Free throw shooting has never been one of DeAndre Jordan’s strong suits. But he has never been as bad as he was against the Celtics. In Sunday evenings match up against the Boston Celtics, Jordan shot 15 free throws and made just three of them. This marks one of the worst free throw shooting performances in the history of the NBA. But he does join some good company, as Wilt Chamberlain, Shaquille O’Neal, and Chris Dudley are the only others to do so.

Not the best category to be compared to two of the all-time great centers in NBA history. But even with this abysmal free throw shooting performance, Jordan is still performing at a high level. He ended the game with 15 points and 14 more rebounds. But ultimately, almost cost his team the game as Celtic’s head coach Brad Stevens ordered his team to intentionally foul Jordan as the fourth quarter was concluding. But the Clippers were able to hang on, despite him missing six straight.

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Fortunately for LA fans, the rest of the Clippers team did pretty well from the line. Blake Griffin made 7-of-9 and Chris Paul made 8-of-8 which proved to be huge down the stretch.

In the playoffs, free throws matter more than ever. And if Jordan is the only one on the roster not performing, coach Doc Rivers might have trouble keeping him in at the end of games. Opposing coaches will know how bad he has been throughout the season, using this to their advantage. His 39.4 percent from the line ranks second worst in the NBA, just ahead of Andre Drummond (38.9%).

If the Clippers end up facing the Houston Rockets, Dallas Mavericks, or Memphis Grizzlies, Jordan will need to be in the game to guard their centers down the stretch. But on the other hand, how can you keep someone in the game who makes just 3 free throws on 15 attempts? The dilemma is for Coach Doc Rivers is definitely a tough decision to make. But perhaps all Jordan needs is a little practice to improve his free throw shooting. Either that or a miracle.

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