DeAndre Jordan added a Gold medal to his resume and now his coach Doc Rivers is raising expectations for the center.
While Chris Paul and Blake Griffin recovered from injuries over the summer, DJ went down to Rio and brought home a Gold as part of Team USA. Rivers thinks playing on a team full of superstar players raised his confidence level.
From Gary Washburn and The Boston Globe
The Clippers could come into this season with an unexpected boost from DeAndre Jordan, who helped the United States earn a third consecutive gold medal at the Rio Olympics. Jordan worked his way into the starting lineup over DeMarcus Cousins, and then flourished defensively in the international game.
The hope for Rivers is that Jordan will take the momentum generated by his Olympic experience and become a more confident and assertive player.
“He sees himself now as a star,” Rivers said. “As good as he is, I don’t think he’s ever seen himself as one. He’s always been the third guy so he’s looked at himself as a role player in some ways. Now he knows how good he is and I think any time you’re around winning, it’s important, and I think DJ now knows what winning looks like.
“Of all our guys, I think he’s the most important guy this summer for us.”
Related
WATCH: Kevin Durant and DeAndre Jordan Party In Greece
DeAndre Jordan: Olympic Gold ‘Above NBA Rings’
Doc Rivers: Clippers Won’t Trade, Chris Paul, Blake Griffin or DeAndre Jordan
