Clippers need much more from Jordan

By foxsports
Published

The Clippers and Vinny Del Negro have a clear idea of what they want from DeAndre Jordan.

He needs to protect the rim, blocking some shots and changing others. Jordan needs to run the floor, set screens, roll hard to the basket and finish at the rim.

He needs to make an impact. And right now, he's not.

Despite scoring six points and grabbing 13 rebounds Monday against Boston, Jordan's not giving Del Negro what he wants.

"If it doesn't go his way, DeAndre still needs to play with energy," Del Negro said. "When the game is tough for him, the energy kind of lapses a little bit.

"If he doesn't play with energy, the rest of his game suffers. Then, the team suffers."

In March, Jordan's numbers are down across the board.

"It's a workman position, and you have to work every night," Del Negro said. "You're not always going to get the basketball."

NOTES, QUOTES
Clippers' slump gets worse

   --The Clippers continued to slide, losing their eighth game out of 12 Monday.

"We've got to get better," guard Chris Paul said. "That's no secret."

The Clippers' last eight losses have come by an average of 5.0 points, a number that would be lower if not for some late-game free throws.

"It's composure, yeah," Paul said. "But it's execution offensively and defensively. We have small leads and we just blow them."

Paul and his teammates wouldn't say that frustration is building, though.

   --Forward Blake Griffin flew back to Oklahoma for his grandfather's funeral after Monday's game. Griffin is expected back Wednesday.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "Being close in this league isn't good enough." -- Guard Chris Paul, on the Clippers play in close losses like Monday's 94-85 loss to Boston.

ROSTER REPORT
PLAYER NOTES:


   --F Blake Griffin finished with a team-leading 24 points. He was the only Clippers starter to shoot above 30 percent.

   --C DeAndre Jordan finished with six points and 13 rebounds. Jordan, however, was just 3-of-10 from the field.

   --G Mo Williams hit just 1-of-8 from three-point range Monday. Williams did score 21 points off the bench.

   --F Kenyon Martin returned to action after missing two games with sore ribs. Martin was 0-for-3 in nine minutes.

MEDICAL WATCH:
   --G Chauncey Billups (left Achilles' tendon) underwent surgery to repair his Achilles tendon. Billups is out for the remainder of the season.

   --G Chris Paul (nasal fracture) suffered the injury Friday at San Antonio. Monday, Paul played while wearing a protective mask for the second straight game.

   --F Kenyon Martin (sore ribs) played just over nine minutes Monday. Martin's been dealing with the injury over the last week. He's day-to-day.

ROTATION:
   Starters:
   --Point guard Chris Paul
   --Shooting guard Randy Foye   
   --Small forward Caron Butler  
   --Power forward Blake Griffin
   --Center DeAndre Jordan
   Bench:
   --Guard Mo Williams
   --Forward Bobby Simmons
   --Forward Reggie Evans
   --Forward Kenyon Martin
   --Guard Eric Bledsoe