After the Dallas Mavericks secured a verbal commitment from DeAndre Jordan back in the summer of 2015, owner Mark Cuban couldn't help but gush about their free-agent coup. At one point, they christened the then 26-year-old as a potential go-to-guy at the post whom they could dump the ball into and make things happen, labeling him as the next best center in the NBA.
It worked for a while as any person could enjoy a bit of an ego stroke, but lacking any actual post moves, decent free throw shooting, or the killer instinct to take on a larger role, it dawned on the young center that these expectations may be too much of a reach. The increased responsibility appeared to have a “Runaway Bride” effect on Jordan as he quickly got cold feet and chose to stay in Los Angeles.
Fast forward years later and the Mavs finally have the coveted free agent that slipped out of their hands, signed, sealed, and delivered. However, Cuban is a lot more guarded today with his praises — instead, hyping up the 6-foot-11 incoming starter as the best rebounder in franchise history.
Mark Cuban on DeAndre Jordan: "He's a rim runner, pick-and-roller. He's a defender, he's a rebounder. He’ll be the best rebounder in Mavs history the minute he walks on the court. No disrespect to Tyson (Chandler) and some of the guys who came before him." @dallasmavs
— Dwain Price (@DwainPrice) July 7, 2018
And it's true.
Coming off a season averaging 15 rebounds per game in just 31 minutes per night, it's about four rebounds ahead of Tyson Chandler's 11 and Roy Tarpley's 10. In fact, Jordan's rebounds the four seasons preceding that were two straight years of 13.8, 15, and 13.6 — still easily eclipsing anything from the two past Mavericks record holders. Jordan has nothing to worry about — he's very capable of snaring boards and doing it in his sleep.
As long as the All-NBA Team and second team All-Defensive team member sticks to what he's good at, the Mavs could very well be contenders this season.
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