NBA: 5 best rivalries in 2015-16
By JT Tomiyama
4. Clippers and Mavericks
Emojis, a possible lock in, and Mark Cuban, these are all factors in the newest and most bizarre rivalry in the NBA. The Mavericks and DeAndre Jordan agreed to a 4-year deal worth $80 million. All good right? Well, the NBA has a moratorium period where free agent deals can’t be fully finalized. During that week Jordan began to have some second thoughts.
The Clippers capitalized on those thoughts by reportedly “locking” him in his house to wait out the clock. Rumors abound from erroneous reports from Chris Broussard that Mark Cuban was driving around calling his cell phone begging to talk to him.
In the end, “the lock in” worked as Jordan agreed to a max deal with the Clippers.
It put Dallas in a terrible position because the former Aggie was supposed to be their star for years to come. They didn’t resign Tyson Chandler because they thought they would land the 6’11 shot blocking monster. Dallas had to settle for ZaZa Pachulia.
Whether it is classified as shady or scared of being “the guy,” DeAndre and the Mavericks will forever intertwined. Chandler Parsons, who was the lead recruiter, and owner Mark Cuban have chimed in since the incident. It will be interesting to see how both sides move on from this bizarre off-season incident.
Dallas and the Clippers have split the season series so far.
Next: 3. Paul Pierce and the Raptors