DeAndre Jordan bumping teammate Luka Doncic to get an otherwise-uncontested rebound could have been seen as a minor issue, overexuberance by Jordan due to determination to get every loose ball.
But to the Mavericks, it was an example of a troubling pattern with Jordan.
Jordan signed a one-year contract with Dallas last summer, and it’s already hard to see him returning next season.
The Mavericks are just 5-8. They’ve been outscored by 8.5 points per 100 possessions when he plays and outscored opponents by 5.7 points per 100 possessions when he sits. He often looks disinterested. His help defense – what Dallas really needs from him – has been especially lazy.
Jordan is still big and mobile, and he can’t help but make some positive contributions as a rebounder and finisher. He just leaves so much to be desired.
Jordan’s mood with the Clippers alternated between despondent and eager. Maybe it will in Dallas, too.
But he’ll apparently have to overcome a poor reputation with his new teammates.