Where, Jordan?
DeAndre backtracks, returns to Clips
See? Get it in writing. In a perplexing display of indecision, Clippers center DeAndre Jordan reneged on a verbal commitment to the Mavericks for a four- year, $ 80 million free agent contract and returned to the Clippers.
News of the 6- foot- 11 Jordan’s indecision triggered a tug- ofwar Wednesday between the Clippers and the Mavs, who each sent a contingent of brass and players to meet with him in Houston. The story grew more bizarre by the hour with reports the Clippers gang stayed by Jordan’s side, intent on keeping everyone — including Mavs owner Mark Cuban — away until after midnight, when teams could begin signing players.
Just after midnight, the Clippers tweeted out a picture of Jordan with the headline “We’re officially centered.” And new Clipper Paul Pierce tweeted a picture of Jordan, appearing to go over his reported four- year, $ 88
million contract, with Clippers coach Doc Rivers.
What a great way to celebrate the fifth anniversary of LeBron James’ “The Decision,” when he took his talents to South Beach.
“If he committed to Dallas, he should go there,” said one former NBA player, now an assistant coach. “He has got to be responsible in his decision. It’s a red- faced minute for the league for sure.”
ESPN first reported Jordan had second thoughts over his Dallas decision and spoke to Rivers on Monday about his regrets. That set off the turf war between the two franchises, whose groups headed to Houston to meet with Jordan, the 26- year- old, notoriously wretched free- throw shooter who averaged 11.5 points and a leaguebest 15.0 rebounds last season.
Contracts agreed upon during the free- agency period that began July 1 — when teams and players can start talking — can be signed Thursday with the end of the annual NBA moratorium. The moratorium gives the NBA time to calculate the new salary cap and luxury tax for the next season.
After reports the Clippers hoped to persuade Jordan to return and shatter backboards with his free throws at Staples Center — or “The Waffle House” — Dallas tried to counter. But the Clips saw an opening to lure Jordan back and ran with it.
Former Nets assistant general manager Bobby Marks was decidedly outspoken and took to Twitter to air his views.
“Like baseball there are certain “unwritten rules” and this is a big violation of it. Once a player commits to another team you move on,” Marks said on Twitter.
“It also shows the danger of the moratorium, which is just too long,” Marks later said in a phone interview.
So as the Clippers sent Rivers, owner Steve Ballmer, players Blake Griffin, Chris Paul, J. J. Redick and Pierce on their expedition, an emoji battle exploded between sides. Mavs forward Chandler Parson started by tweeting a plane picture showing how he was getting to Houston. Before long, every known mode of transport was shown— with Paul using a banana and a boat to indicate leaving his Bahamas vacation.
Griffin even tweeted a photo of a chair propped up against a door in a comical effort to keep the Mavs from getting in to see Jordan.
The Clippers seemed confident all day they would get Jordan and give the league a new headache.
“It’s not a great look,” one Eastern Conference official said. “It doesn’t really seem fair. What are they [ Mavs] supposed to do now?”
Another former player said “Dallas will save, what, $ 80 million? But then they’ll probably pay that in the fines [ owner] Mark Cuban will get from the league.”
One agent predicted the situation would be a one- time deal.
“It’s an anomaly situation that will have no lasting effects,” the NBA agent said. — Tim Bontemps contributed
to this story fred. kerber@ nypost. com