DeAndre Jordan craved two things Saturday night when he left the Smoothie King Center.
Wine.
And ice.
The wine to unwind and celebrate the key role he played in the New Orleans Pelicans’ 126-111 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers.
The ice to help his 37-year old body recover from playing in an actual game for the first time in almost four months.
There wouldn’t have been anything to celebrate if it wasn’t for Jordan. He finished with just six points, but it was his 15 rebounds and four blocked shots that were pivotal in making sure the Pelicans erased the bitter taste from the night before when they fell 139-118 to the Milwaukee Bucks.
The Pelicans know they shouldn’t have lost by 21 points to the Bucks, especially when the only Antetokounmpo who played Friday was Thanasis. His little brother Giannis, the 2-time league MVP, sat out the game.
Pelicans’ interim head coach James Borrego left the arena disappointed. He knew he needed to do something to shake things up. The light bulb that popped up in Borrego’s head told him to insert the 6-foot-11 Jordan into the starting lineup.
“After the game, my gut was saying make this move,” Borrego recalled. “I slept on it.”
When Borrego woke up Saturday morning, he was convinced it was the right thing to do. His team could use more size to help with their struggles rebounding and being physical and protecting the rim. It didn’t matter that Jordan had only played in two games this season. The last one was way back on Oct. 29th, the third game of the season. So it's understandable why Jordan felt the way he felt when Borrego told him he was going to be in the starting five.
“I was extremely excited,” Jordan said. “Anytime you can go out there and compete in this league, it’s a gift. It was cool to be able to go out there and be able to play.”
Jordan, in his 18th NBA season, had only played 23 minutes and grabbed 10 rebounds all season prior to Saturday. He eclipsed that rebound total in the first half, finishing with 11.
“DeAndre raised the level of everybody,” Borrego said. “He lifted everybody’s standard, competitiveness, defensive effort. And I think it sustained throughout the game.”
Jordan’s biggest highlight was soaring for an alley-oop from Herb Jones, turning back the clock to his high-flying days with Chris Paul and the Los Angeles Clippers squad nicknamed Lob City. Seeing Jordan show that type of athleticism took teammate Bryce McGowens back to his youth.
“Watching him when I was 7 and 8-years -old and to grow up and be on the same team with him and seeing him doing the same thing, it’s unbelievable,” McGowens said. “Him having 15 rebounds is insane. It’s a credit to him being who he is. He’s a leader even when he’s not playing. And then coming in and dominating the game was crazy to see.”
Jordan credits the Death Row League for helping him stay prepared to play despite racking up 53 consecutive DNPs (coach’s decision) on the stat sheet before Saturday. The Death Row League is the name the Pels give for their games held before or after practice between players who are out of the rotation or getting limited minutes.
“It helps keep a rhythm and keep our conditioning up and still get that competition aspect,” Jordan said.
Jordan knew when he arrived in New Orleans that there could be many nights he wouldn’t touch the floor. He understood the roster has other big men like Zion Williamson, Derik Queen, Yves Missi, Karlo Matkovic and Kevon Looney.
“Coming in, I knew it was going to be ‘play some nights’ and ‘not play some nights’ and (I’d) be more of a mentor,” Jordan said. “But when my number is called, I’ve got to be ready and that’s what it was tonight.”
In a way, it was a throwback night as the 76ers started Andre Drummond at center. Ten seasons ago, Jordan was voted as first-team center on the All-NBA team, while Drummond made the third team.
“It’s always fun playing against Dre,” Jordan said. “We’ve had so many battles throughout the course of our careers. Super competitors.”
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“We want to continue to stack wins and keep building as this season comes to a close,” Jordan said. “We’re just trying to see how much noise we can make as the regular season ends.”
Just three seasons ago, Jordan played on the Denver Nuggets’ championship team. Now he’s trying to spread that winning mindset to his teammates. It’s why he’s always mentoring his younger teammates.
“We all go through ups and downs, but he keeps everybody level headed,” McGowens said. “Hearing his voice and feeling his demeanor has been huge for me and I know it’s been huge for the younger guys, especially the rookies.”
Jordan has taken rookie center Queen under his wing. Earlier in the season, he instructed Queen to stand up while doing his postgame interview. Queen still does to this day. Jordan can be gentle, putting his arms around a younger player when he’s getting down on himself. Or he can be fiery, which was the case Saturday when told Queen to “calm the f--- down” when he was getting heated. Jordan has been a boost to the locker room. And on Saturday, he provided just as much of a boost on the court.
“What I’m most proud of is the leadership, the human being (he is), the professional (he is) and the way he’s elevated our program in so many ways,” Borrego said. “He deserves all that comes with tonight.”
That includes some wine and some ice.