Rivers says Clippers could have taken Jordan hostage 'if we wanted to'
After a busy off-season full off roster shuffling, free agent recruitment and emojis, the Los Angeles Clippers finally got the band together Tuesday, at a press conference held to introduce the team's seven new signings that was live-streamed on the team's official website. Predictably, with Jordan, head coach Doc Rivers, Paul Pierce, Josh Smith and others on hand, some comedy unfolded.
The biggest of those additions, of course, was Jordan, who reneged on a deal with Dallas to stay in Los Angeles long term, in a saga that you probably could have seen unfold on Twitter without following a single account.
Tuesday was Jordan's birthday, and for the big 2-7, the Clippers center received a gift basket of questions thrown at him by local reporters. Of course, he had to address what happened at his house that fateful day.
• Jordan explains how he re-signed with Clippers
“So first of all, it wasn't a hostage situation,” Jordan said, chuckling. “I feel like I'm a pretty big guy and I don't think they can lock me inside my own house..."
“Oh, we could have locked him up,” head coach Rivers interjected. Apparently, the team was willing to go to any length to keep him. Jordan tried to continue, but Rivers emphatically drowned him out. “If we wanted to that would have happened.”
It was surprisingly hard to hell if Rivers was kidding. “[Jordan's mom] Kimberly fed us twice, not once, so it was worth staying," he later added. “The food was great, wasn't it Paul?”
Paul, of course, was Paul Pierce, who later discussed his much-discussed tweet featuring a clip-art rocketship. “I'm old school,” he explained. “Yes, I do have emojis.”
• Pierce explains Jordan saga with emojis
Jordan was later asked if his offensive role with the Clippers would be increasing, as had been promised to him in Dallas.
“The only thing Doc promised me was eight million more dollars,” the big man said.
Rivers again clarified. “That was [Clippers owner Steve] Ballmer!”
On a side note, the Clippers offered a look at their new home white uniforms. Judge away.
- Jeremy Woo
