Orlando Magic Daily
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NBA Position Rankings: Top 10 centers in the NBA

By Spencer R. Henderson

Apr 6, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic (9) drives to the net past Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond (0) during the first quarter of a basketball game at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 6, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic (9) drives to the net past Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond (0) during the first quarter of a basketball game at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /
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DeAndre Jordan, Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers
Apr 5, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers center DeAndre Jordan (6) scores past Los Angeles Lakers guard Jeremy Lin (17) in the first half of the game at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /

6. DeAndre Jordan

The Los Angeles Clippers almost lost a top-10 center last summer to the Dallas Mavericks.

It is hard to judge if Jordan potentially could carry a team the way the Mavericks would have wanted him too. He would have been the go-to guy in Dallas, compared to a third option in Los Angeles.

Jordan has developed a celebrity Olympic status before developing an offensive game, largely because of his willingness and ability to defend.

Jordan is one of the league’s best defenders inside of the paint, and may be the most athletic player at the position. He thrives blocking shots from opponents and catching alley-oops from Chris Paul. He is also one of the top rebounders in the NBA.

Jordan scored 18 points and grabbed 24 rebounds in a game against the Portland Trail Blazers in 2015. He also missed 22 free throws in the same game. Imagine if he would have hit just half of those 22 free throws, that would have increased his scoring total to 29 points. He leaves a lot of points on the board.

Jordan’s biggest flaw is his free throw shooting. Although Jordan averaged 13.6 points per 36 minutes and 14.7 rebounds per 36 minutes, he shot 43 percent from the charity stripe.

If Jordan can improve from the free-throw line this year, he can easily average 20 points per game in 2017. If he does improve it will increase the Clippers’ chances of finally getting past the second round of the playoffs.

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