DeAndre Jordan Is All The Mavs Could Have Hoped For And More

Three games isn't a very large sample size in the NBA obviously. That being said the first three game of DeAndre Jordan's Mavericks career is everything the team could have hoped for when they signed the big man to a one-year-deal in July, and maybe even more. Jordan of course agreed to sign with the Mavs in the summer of 2015 only to have change of heart days later. Now that he is finally in a Dallas uniform three years later, he is producing as well as any center the franchise has ever had.

Jordan was brought the Dallas to give the Mavs a presence in the middle they've do desperately lacked. On offense his ability as a lob threat and offensive rebounder make him extremely valuable, while on defense his rim protection and athleticism set him apart from more lumbering big men. Through these opening games all of things have come to fruition.

Jordan has recorded double-doubles in each of the first 3 games, the first Mavs player to accomplish that feat since Popeye Jones in 1994. After getting 11 points and 12 rebounds opening night, he has put up monster numbers in both of the Mavericks home wins. Saturday against Minnesota he put up 22 points, 10 rebounds and 5 blocks, becoming the first Mav to put up those numbers besides Dirk since Shawn Bradley in 1998. In last night's win over the Bulls, Jordan continued his strong play with 18 points and 16 rebounds. Also most unexpectedly Jordan has been money from the foul line, a severe Achilles heel throughout his career. He is shooting 9-10 for the young season from the charity stripe building on the career high 58% he shot last season. It's not a surprise on the other hand that DeAndre is shooting 70% from the field. His career 67.3% field goal shooting mark is the best in NBA history by a healthy margin. Interestingly enough #2 all-time is Tyson Chandler, the one and only great center in franchise history before DJ''s arrival.  Jordan has also shown impressive leadership skills encouraging and teaching his young teammates on both ends of the floor.

It's very early but the Mavs have to be thrilled with how the partnership between them and the center who once spurned them is going. It's very easy to see a long team deal in the works come next July should this continue throughout the season.