The 2023 NBA Finals matchup is finally set. After beating the Celtics in seven games, the Heat will go up against the Nuggets with Game 1 tipping off on Thursday at 8:30 p.m. ET. The majority of New York Knicks fans are likely pulling for Denver after Miami eliminated the team in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
It works out that there’s a former Knicks center on the Nuggets, although he doesn’t play. DeAndre Jordan played in only 39 regular season games for Denver and averaged 5.1 points and 5.2 rebounds. The 34-year-old has appeared in three playoff games this season, but only for an average of 3.3 minutes.
Rather than be a force down low like he once was, Jordan has instead embraced a veteran leadership role that could pay off big-time with his first ring. He and the Clippers enjoyed three runs to the Western Conference Semifinals during his 10 seasons in Lob City but were never able to make it to the Western Conference Finals.
Jordan has hopped around to six teams since opting out of his deal with the Clippers in 2018, including a brief stint with the Knicks in 2018-19.
Former Knicks center DeAndre Jordan could win first ring with Nuggets in NBA Finals
DeAndre Jordan arrived in New York via Dallas as part of the infamous Kristaps Porzingis trade in 2019. He finished the season averaging 10.9 points and 11.4 rebounds in 19 games for the Knicks before becoming a free agent in the offseason and signing with the Nets. Although it was brief, his 10.9 points mark the last time that he hit double digits with a team.
Jordan was once a rebounding force, reaching a career-high of 15.2 boards in his final season with the Clippers. Since then, his role has reduced each year. He was quickly snatched up by the Nuggets in free agency and signed to a one-year, $2.9 million deal. He’ll once again be a free agent this offseason, but first, he and Denver’s sights are set on winning the first championship in franchise history.
He may not make an impact on the court, but Jordan has been praised multiple times by head coach Michael Malone.
Michael Malone, talking vet leadership and culture: “We have unbelievable veterans (mentions DeAndre Jordan, Ish Smith, Jeff Green, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope). I think it’s really important for everybody to know that…they’ve checked their egos at the door.”
— Harrison Wind (@HarrisonWind) February 5, 2023
DeAndre Jordan will soon get a taste of what it’s like to be part of the NBA Finals, although his impact will come off the court, not on it. If the Nuggets are able to carry over the momentum that they’ve played with in the rest of the postseason, the once-upon-a-time Knicks center will get to add a ring to his NBA collection.
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