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DeAndre Jordan Moved By First Olympic Nod: “It’s Huge”

“It’s huge, man,” Jordan said Tuesday. “It’s a humbling experience. I’m so happy to be here with some of my best friends and some of the best basketball players in the world.”

For a player who for so long was labeled a project, he’s finally getting the sense he’s arrived.

“I feel like it, man,” Jordan said. “At the end of the day, it’s not just about me. It’s about the 11 other guys I’m on the court with and just trying to build. I know every day as an individual I can get better picking a lot of these guys’ brains and just getting better, but this is going to be a good ride.”

That also goes for the members of the USA Select Team, the group of young players helping Team USA practice this week in Las Vegas. Clippers rookie Brice Johnson is a part of that group, and he’s getting to know Jordan.

The one-time second-round selection is now someone first-round picks are looking up to – literally.

“He’s dunked a few down there, and I was not jumping,” Johnson said. “There were a few times, I was like, ‘You got it.’”

Rowan Kavner, Clippers.com

Centers keep relevance in international game

How impressive has Jordan been? Jim Boeheim, the Syracuse coach who is one of Mike Krzyzewski's assistants, didn't hold back.

"This is unequivocal: He has worked harder than anybody we've ever had in practice," Boeheim said.

By anybody, Boeheim means anybody, in a program he's been a part of for a decade.

"We've had some Kobe and LeBron. He [Jordan] busts his tail every day. We put the zone in, he didn't even realize what he was doing, [but] some things he did better than guys I'd taught the zone for a long time.

"I haven't seen that much of him. I think he's incredible. I'd love to have him on my [Syracuse University] team. I don't think there's a center I can think of who I'd rather have on my team. Especially the way we play defense."

"I'm not big on ones, twos, threes, fours or fives," Krzyzewski said of basketball's "coachese" for point guard, shooting guards, small forwards, power forwards and centers.

"[Jordan is] a big who can really run. He can defend the ball screen whether you switch it or you don't switch it -- which I would guess makes him non-traditional. He's a great teammate. He's one of the best players in the NBA."

Steve Aschburner, NBA.com

Coach K: As Good As I Thought Jordan Was, He’s Better

After getting the loudest pregame cheers and addressing the crowd at STAPLES Center, Jordan kept his home fans amped and made the most of those first 30 seconds, blocking China’s first shot attempt and finishing an emphatic alley-oop at the other end to start off a 106-57 exhibition game win.

“I tried to do something,” Jordan said of those first 30 seconds, earning his first start for Team USA. “Just being myself, try to limit those guys to one shot, make it tough; On the other end, just run, be myself and help us out any way I can.”

“J.J. said he’s as good a teammate as he’s ever had and one of the best guys,” Krzyzewski said, “and he wasn’t wrong.”

But it goes beyond that. What Jordan’s provided has surpassed anything Coach K anticipated.

“As much as I’ve seen him on TV, I’ve never seen him in person,” Krzyzewski said. “As good as I thought he was on TV and on tape, he’s better. He’s really one of the great players in the league right now, and an amazing teammate. He does dirty work willingly, but he does it at the highest level. I think he’s a special player. “

“I’ve dreamt about this since I was a kid watching the Dream Team,” Jordan said.

Rowan Kavner, Clippers.com

DeAndre Jordan soaking up Team USA experience, and reminding many why he's a good teammate

“I want to win it with these guys,” Jordan said. “We’ve only been together for a week, but it seems like we’ve been teammates for years. It’s great to be around.”

He’s gotten to spend more time with his friends, like Durant. But he’s also gotten to make new allies.

“There are guys you never thought you’d be high-fiving with, making jokes with,” he said.

Come next summer and the summer after that, the Clippers could find themselves in line for a big-time free agent, with Jordan using his Team USA relationships to try and get his team some help.

“I tried to recruit ... and I failed this year,” Jordan said, referencing the Clippers’ pursuit of Durant. “... But everyone knows I’ve been here the longest, and I get along with a lot of people.”

Dan Woike, OC Register

Butler And Jordan Give USA Basketball Men’s National Team A Taste Of Houston


Even Jordan, who was born and raised in Houston and attended nearby Texas A&M, admitted he doesn’t appreciate country music to the same extent as Butler. On Saturday night, Jordan invited the entire team over to his house for a home-cooked meal. When pressed about what was served, Jordan plead the fifth, not wanting to get anyone in trouble.

“Oh, my gosh,” Jordan said. “Probably some stuff we shouldn’t have been eating. We had some soul food. The great thing about this team is, these are guys who, three months ago, I never would have invited to my house. These guys are like my brothers now.”

Kevin Durant followed Jordan’s lead and neglected to get into the details of the savory meal but did say that Jordan has become one of his best friends on the team.

“Did he say that? Aww, man, I gave him a hundred bucks to say that,” Jordan said. “He’s a good guy.”

Jordan said the two have put both their NBA rivalries and college rivalries aside for the summer in their quest of a gold medal at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio. Durant -- who attended the University of Texas at Austin the year before Jordan was at Texas A&M -- said he’s also looking forward to seeing friends in Houston before the team’s Monday night exhibition game against Nigeria.

Jordan Godwin, USA Basketball

Coach you mentioned the newcomers, DeAndre Jordan obviously being one of them. What have you thought of his adjustment to this game playing inside the cylinder and just his progression during these first games?

Mike Krzyzewski: He’s been really good, and it gives us a one-two punch with DeMarcus and him, and then a different punch if you want to use Draymond. They are all different. When DeAndre is running the court like that, he makes people go with him, and that opens up areas for us to drive and get some 3-point shots. His defensive stuff is terrific, because he not only blocks shots, but he can defend the ball screen really well even if he switches. He was down in his stance, and he was doing it. Again, we’re lucky to have him on our team.

USA Basketball