DeAndre Jordan's Perfect Free Throw Streak Breaker
The defensive titan whose free throw struggles became legendary lore.
DeAndre Jordan's tenure with the Los Angeles Clippers during the 'Lob City' era remains one of the most memorable chapters in franchise history. While celebrated for his elite rebounding and rim-protecting abilities, Jordan became infamous among fans and analysts alike for his struggles at the free throw line. This entry documents the fan-narrative surrounding his prolonged droughts from the charity stripe during playoff runs, a defining characteristic of his time in Los Angeles.
- Player
- DeAndre Jordan
- Team
- Los Angeles Clippers
- Role
- Starting Center / Defensive Anchor
- Era Nickname
- Lob City
Lore & Background
The 'Streak Breaker' moniker emerged in fan circles not as a celebration of perfection, but as a reference to the rare occasions he finally made a free throw after extended dry spells. These moments became focal points of playoff broadcasts and highlight reels, often accompanied by humorous commentary on his shooting form. The struggle highlighted the team's broader challenges in closing out games when their star center was forced into foul trouble.
In Their Own Story
The Staples Center hummed with tension during a late-quarter timeout in 2014. Jordan sat on the bench, towel draped over his head, while the coach drew up plays that avoided sending him to the line. When he finally stepped onto the court for a technical free throw, the crowd held its breath. The ball swished through the net—a rare occurrence that sparked chants of 'D-Lo!' echoing off the rafters, momentarily silencing the critics who had counted on another miss.
Reader's Guide
The narrative peaks during the 2014 Western Conference Semifinals against the Memphis Grizzlies. In a series defined by physical play and grinding defense, Jordan's free throw attempts became critical turning points. Early games saw him struggle to find rhythm from the line, often missing consecutive shots that could have extended leads or cut deficits. Fans watched anxiously as his shooting percentage dipped during crunch time. The emotional significance lay in the team's reliance on other scorers like Chris Paul and Blake Griffin to compensate. When Jordan finally connected after a long drought of misses, it provided a brief spark of relief for the home crowd. Ultimately, this aspect of his game underscored the Clippers' identity: dominant inside but occasionally vulnerable at the line.
Did You Know?
- DeAndre Jordan was drafted by the Dallas Mavericks in 2008 before joining the Clippers.
- He led the NBA in rebounding during the 2013-2014 season while with Los Angeles.
- His career free throw percentage remained below 50% for his entire tenure with the team.
- The 'Lob City' era is widely considered one of the most exciting periods in Clippers history.