DeAndre Jordan quickly saw his career go from starting center to role player to now part-time mentor, as the former L.A. Clippers mainstay bolted for the Dallas Mavericks in free agency and was later bundled to the New York Knicks for Kristaps Porzingis.
Head coach David Fizdale has had an imperative mission from the start of his tenure in The Big Apple — to develop the young talent as the front office carves out cap space — a task much more difficult to accomplish when still having viable starters in the roster.
That meant serving as a mentor to rookie Mitchell Robinson, a 21-year-old that went from being a raw project and third in the center depth chart to becoming the center of the future for this team.
Since arriving in New York, Jordan talks to him in timeouts and sits with him throughout the game, trying to impart the veteran wisdom upon him.
“This is very strange for me,” said Jordan, according to Steve Popper of Newsday. “I’ve never done this before… at the same time, I know the development of these guys is very important. That’s something that I’m down for.”
Upon landing with the Knicks at the trade deadline, it wouldn't be long before Fizdale approached the veteran, hoping he was open to a different role.
“We had a few conversations,” he said of Fizdale. “There was definitely some back-and-forth. He knows how much I love to play and how much I want to compete. Overall, we came to the decision together. Everybody thought it was best for the young guys to, like I keep saying, see these guys play and play in bulk minutes.”
Fizdale was appreciative of his openness and willingness to make things work, considering the team's record and Jordan's upcoming status as an unrestricted free agent.
“I can’t speak highly enough of DJ,” Fizdale said last week. “The pro that he is, it’s exactly what he’s been since he’s got here. He sacrificed going to another team to stay here with the Knicks to play for us and to help Mitchell. Every single thing I’ve asked up to this point, he’s done it. and even when I asked this, he said, ‘Coach, let’s get that kid in there, let’s see what he can do, and I’ll be ready for you.’
Jordan has surely handled this obstacle in his career with plenty of grace, paying it forward as it once was done onto him as a raw, athletic prospect out of Texas A&M.
Follow Us
Subscribe