As a long-term project, DeAndre slowly started to pan out. He made huge strides on each end of the floor, and used his considerable athleticism to become a fierce rebounder and rim protector. But his biggest weakness still remained. Though his minutes had risen to over 25 per game by the 2010-2011 season, he was still just a 45% FT shooter. Just imagine how humiliating it was for him to be yanked late in close games, because Coach Vinny del Negro couldn't risk an intentional foul on DeAndre. Or worse, when he was intentionally fouled. A hulking 6'11'' man looked like a scared middle-schooler in his first varsity game when he went to the line. Even though he had improved his game exponentially, he still had no respect.

When Doc Rivers arrived in L.A. after the 2012-2013 season, his first order of business was trying to reinvigorate DeAndre. He made him part of the Clippers Big 3 (along with Chris Paul and Blake). He told reporters and anyone who would listen that DeAndre would win Defensive Player of the Year. He even compared DeAndre to Bill Russell! Doc sold him on the 'play defense and set screens' role, and DeAndre was content never having plays run for him. He would just do everything else, and the success would come.

This past season, Jordan finally became the player everyone wanted him to be. He was just the second player to average 15 rebounds per game since 2003, and also set a career high in points and FG%. Jordan's 71 % from the field was the second-best mark in NBA history. He even sustained his remarkable run of durability by playing all 82 games. He hasn't missed a game in over 4 seasons. And yet, his struggle for respect raged on. He was humiliated as the subject of 'hack-a-shaq' techniques in the playoffs. He shot 28 free throws in the first half of one playoff game. For comparison's sake, Sacramento led all teams in FT attempts per game, at 29.3. Sure, DeAndre was a great defender and rebounder. But he was still the guy who you can't run plays for, and who can't shoot free throws.

At pitch meetings this summer, Dallas knew how to get through to DeAndre. While the Clippers offered him the max, that wasn't what he valued. He wanted to be a featured player in the offense. As a guy who had never gotten the respect he felt he deserved, it must have been nice to be wooed. When Dallas won his ear, it shouldn't really have surprised anyone.

On one hand, you have the Clippers. The team that won't run plays for you and a point guard who berates you in practice and doesn't give you affection.

On the other, there's Dallas. With the cool teammate who takes you out every night, the radical owner who wants to make you a star, and a coach who's showing you all the ways he plans on featuring you in the offense. Even DeAndre's agent wanted him to go to the Mavericks.