Sandler: More Thoughts On The DeAndre Decision
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Now more than a week removed from one of the ten darkest days in Mavs history, I've revisited my thoughts and emotions. I was curious how I'd feel with a little bit of time and more information on what actually took place.
With Tim MacMahon and Ramona Shelburne's outstanding joint account of the events in addition to the Player'sTribune pieces from DeAndre Jordan and Blake Griffin, I figured I'd clear my head a bit.
So, in no particular order, kind of:
1. I still think the way DeAndre Jordan handled the situation was chicken. It was a mistake, but a chicken mistake.
2. With that said, if Jordan's biggest 'mistake' as an NBA player, on the court of off, is this lapse of communication, hats off to him.
3. When Jeff "Skin" Wade and I discussed our reaction to the MacMahon/Shelburne piece, Skin used the word "empathy" when describing his feelings towards Jordan. I wasn't smart enough to think of that word on the spot, but it's how I feel, too. I don't think his intention was ever to screw anyone and I think part of the problem was that he knew how badly he had messed up and was not sure how to troubleshoot. He made a mistake several people make--not handling a tough situation the best way possible when it involves multiple necessary lines of communication--but his was more public and most lucrative.
4. Again, it was still a chicken mistake. I'm not pardoning him, but I'm the same age as Jordan and recognize that I have a lot to learn in this world as well and probably don't handle everything perfectly, either.
5. I think it is funny how Jordan calls Paul a 'big brother' in his Player's Tribune piece. Just come out and say/write: "Listen, I did not like the guy, but we are both competitors and our styles just didn't mesh so we are going to commit to improving our relationship." ...or something of that sort. Why is that not okay?
6. Speaking of friends, I've never been a big Blake Griffin guy but I think he comes out a winner in all of this, beyond just having Jordan still on his team. If what was written was true, I really respect his commitment to his friendship with DeAndre Jordan, regardless of Jordan's decision. He just came across as a genuinely good guy so, good for him.
7. I caught about 15 minutes of Mean Girls the other day and it made me think about the response of Mavs fans after Jordan changed his mind. It's funny how so many people started bad-mouthing Jordan, the basketball player, as if they were trying to convince themselves that maybe it is best that he didn't come to Dallas. It's like that time I got dumped in college and was sort of crushed, but then told my friends why, the same girl I was so excited about 24 hours ago, was probably not as awesome as I thought she was. NO NO NO! In her eyes, I just wasn't good enough for her! And in DeAndre's eyes, the Mavs weren't good enough for him. Again, the way he went about it sucked, but, beyond that, the reality is the Mavs lost out again.
8. I still look forward to ZaZa Pachulia endearing himself to Mavericks fans with a few hard fouls on DeAndre Jordan.
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