Chris Paul on DeAndre Jordan: He's 'like my big little brother'
Los Angeles Clippers point guard Chris Paul downplayed reports of tension between him and teammate DeAndre Jordan, saying that Jordan is like a brother to him.
Jordan initially signed with the Dallas Mavericks this off-season before changing his mind and re-signing with the Clippers.
In may, after the Clippers blew a 3-1 series lead in the Western Conference semifinals to the Houston Rockets, Fox Sports reported that Jordan was contemplating departing the team in free agency because of his issues with Paul.
Paul said he didn't care about the rumors and that he is happy Jordan is back with the team.
"DeAndre's like my big little brother," Paul said, according to ESPN. "We talk a lot more than people ever realize. But it doesn't matter [what people say]. The only thing that matters is that he's back."
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Paul’s comments came days after Clippers head coach Doc Rivers says any talk of a rift between Jordan and Paul was “way overblown,” adding that the two have a good relationship.
The drama with Jordan occurred after he verbally agreed to a four-year, $80 million deal with the Mavericks during the league's moratorium period.
Just days later, Jordan reportedly had second thoughts about signing with Dallas and reached out to the Clippers. Clippers players and officials, including owner Steve Ballmer, converged on Jordan's Houston residence the night before the moratorium expired. He ultimately signed a four-year, $88 million deal to return to Los Angeles.
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Paul, who led the league in assists per game for the second straight year, praised the team’s off-season moves.
"We brought in Paul [Pierce], who I'm probably the happiest about because of his championship pedigree and that voice in our locker room," Paul said, according to ESPN. "We brought in Lance, Wes Johnson, signed Austin [Rivers] back. Josh Smith. Yeah, so -- big summer for us."
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