DeAndre Jordan Is Early Favorite To Win Defensive Player Of The Year

By Dan Lovi on November 3, 2014

The fact that DeAndre Jordan did not make the NBA All-Defensive Team last season is a joke, but Jordan isn’t laughing. Instead, the seven-year veteran has never taken defense more seriously in his career.

Jordan has been the starting center for the Los Angeles Clippers over the past four seasons, but he elevated his game to new heights last season, his first year playing under head coach Doc Rivers. He lead the league in rebounding and was third in blocked shots. He flourished in his role as the team’s last line of defense, protecting the paint as if it were his home. This season, he looks to expand upon that success and help lead the Clippers to the NBA Finals.

The biggest area of improvement for Jordan last season was his help defense. He has always been a capable one-on-one defender, but last year he proved he could rotate quickly and help bail his teammates out if they missed a defensive assignment.

Although it’s still very early in the season, Jordan has already made his presence felt. He is averaging 10 rebounds and two blocks through the first three games, and is also on pace to average a career-high in steals per game. He hasn’t been too shabby on the offensive end either, shooting close to 70 percent from the field.

Whatever the reason was last year, Jordan was overlooked despite being in the top three in two defensive categories. He is going to do everything in his power to make sure the voters don’t get it wrong again this year. Jordan isn’t just trying to make the All-Defensive Team — his goal is to be the best defender in the game.