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After initially spurning the Los Angeles Clippers for the Dallas Mavericks, Jordan has now spurned the Mavericks by instead opting to re-sign with the Clippers. Jordan's decision caps off a wild day that'll be remember for years and live in infamy in Dallas. There were a ton of twists and turns.
Here's a recap of the events.
The news breaks
It was a harmless Wednesday morning when ESPN's Marc Stein dropped the bomb that the Clippers were lobbying Jordan to renege on his agreement with Dallas. Jordan had actually called Clippers head coach Doc Rivers several days earlier to express some doubt over his decision. The Clippers began a full-court press on Jordan to convince him to stay.
The emoji war breaks out
As contingents from the Clippers and Mavericks descended on Jordan's Houston home, several players involved got into an emoji war on Twitter. Chandler Parsons started it by tweeting an emoji of a plane, and it took off from there, with Chris Paul even tweeting emojis of a banana and a boat.
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— Chandler Parsons (@ChandlerParsons) July 8, 2015
— JJ Redick (@JJRedick) July 8, 2015
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— Blake Griffin (@blakegriffin32) July 8, 2015
— Chris Paul (@CP3) July 8, 2015
— Paul Pierce (@paulpierce34) July 8, 2015
The meeting
The Clippers contingent included Rivers, owner Steve Ballmer, Paul, Blake Griffin, Paul Pierce and J.J. Redick. While the meeting ended earlier Wednesday evening, reports had the group stalling so Jordan couldn't talk to the Mavericks contingent, including owner Mark Cuban.
Clippers stalling, trying to keep DeAndre away from meeting with Cuban
— Chris Broussard (@Chris_Broussard) July 8, 2015
Clippers form a wall
The Clippers didn't only stall, but they wouldn't leave until Jordan signed a new deal. Cuban and Jordan's agent, Dan Fegan, weren't even able to get in the house.
Clippers believe DJ is returning to LA but I'm told they are staying at his house until he can sign at midnight.
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) July 9, 2015
Griffin did his part to keep out any unwanted visitors.
Don't agree with the furniture layout but I'm not an interior designer. pic.twitter.com/23PNgQB88z
— Blake Griffin (@blakegriffin32) July 9, 2015
ESPN's Tim MacMahon said Jordan wouldn't take any calls from the Mavericks.
Cuban (maybe) gets desperate
ESPN's Chris Broussard claimed Cuban was beside himself driving around downtown Houston trying to get the address to Jordan's home, while Stein said seconds later that Cuban had already begun telling people within the organization that they'd lost Jordan. Both could be true, but the dichotomy of the tweets just seconds apart was too perfect.
Also: Cuban's brother went at Broussard.
How could you possibly know that. STFU https://t.co/7n2qnHL69L
— Brian Cuban (@bcuban) July 9, 2015
.@nuggetfan4life I don’t feel bad about it, he is hiding in the trunk? Broussard is a knucklehead.
— Brian Cuban (@bcuban) July 9, 2015
Basketball is basketball but I considered that a personal attack on family
— Brian Cuban (@bcuban) July 9, 2015
Mark Cuban himself later went at Broussard too.
.@Chris_Broussard that's is the dumbest shit Ive ever heard. If you had any ethics u would msg me and I will give u his address
— Mark Cuban (@mcuban) July 9, 2015
Meanwhile, Jordan and his teammates were having fun
The Clippers' meeting with Jordan was actually quite short, and the group actually played cards and video games to pass the time throughout the night. Jordan's mother even ordered out food for them.
Yahoo Source: Clippers, DeAndre Jordan meeting was short. It was clear he was returning to them. Then they started to play cards.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) July 9, 2015
They are also playing video games inside DJ's house. One source who left the meeting said, "It's done. I wouldn't have left if it wasn't."
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) July 9, 2015
Jordan presumably will officially sign soon. What a day.
★★★
SB Nation presents: Mark Cuban should put his money where his mouth is