Sports

DeAndre Jordan Happy with Clippers After Free Agent ‘Fiasco’

Published

11 years ago

July 22, 2015

Los Angeles Clippers DeAndre Jordan, middle, the league rebounding champion, is reintroduced at a Staples Center news conference with teammates, forward Branden Dawson, left, and guard Austin Rivers, right, in Los Angeles on Tuesday, July 21, 2015. (AP Photo/Nick Ut)

GREG BEACHAM, AP Sports Writer

LOS ANGELES (AP) — DeAndre Jordan thought the Dallas Mavericks offered everything he wanted, including a fresh start and a starring role.

Then Jordan thought about it some more, and the craziest free-agent recruitment story in recent NBA history ended with him back on the Los Angeles Clippers.

“When free agency started, this whole fiasco was not my intent,” Jordan said Tuesday.

Jordan celebrated his 27th birthday at Staples Center with the Clippers, proudly holding up the revamped version of his familiar No. 6 jersey alongside new teammates Paul Pierce and Josh Smith.

Yet Jordan realizes he nearly derailed the Clippers’ title hopes and definitely disrupted Dallas’ retooling plans by backing out of his verbal commitment. The two-time NBA rebounding champion changed his mind after days of existential angst and a frantic trip to Houston by the Clippers’ leaders to sit out the final hours of the signing moratorium together.

Jordan knows he picked an awfully weird way to stick with the same team, but he regretted the decision to join the Mavs shortly after making it.

“Originally with Dallas, I thought I wanted change,” Jordan said. “I wanted a bigger role and more responsibility, and I was ready to embrace and accept that challenge. But (when) I got by myself and I was able to think about everything that just happened, I realized that being with the Clippers was the best decision for me.”

Jordan has spent his entire seven-year career with the Clippers, who have made four straight playoff appearances for the first time. After decades of incompetence, they’ve become one of the NBA’s elite teams with Jordan, Chris Paul and Blake Griffin leading the way under coach Doc Rivers.

Jordan decided he had to find out how this story ends.

“I really thought about being on one team for my entire career,” said Jordan, who agreed to a four-year, $87.6 million deal to return. “That was really important to me. I’ve been here, and the past few seasons I’ve had have been pretty successful. I also feel like personally, I know the city. I know the fans. I’m used to the city of L.A., and I love it here.”

With four straight winning seasons and a growing fan base, the Clippers have shaken off their lamentable history under Donald Sterling and opened a prosperous new era under billionaire owner Steve Ballmer.

The Clippers also retooled their roster after their second-round playoff exit this spring — even if it would have meant much less if the big man had left a hole in the middle. Instead, Jordan was all smiles at Staples Center alongside fellow returnee Austin Rivers and five new teammates: Pierce, Smith, Wesley Johnson, Cole Aldrich and rookie Branden Dawson.

“First of all, he never left,” Rivers said. “I keep hearing that he came back. He never left. He talked about it, but he came back. I tell DJ all the time, you should be celebrated for making the right decision. I think he had that right to do that. It has happened before. It happens in business all the time, and the difference is, what we do is public, so everybody gets a chance to talk about it.”

Jordan realizes he left plenty of angry fans back in his home state. Mavericks owner Mark Cuban has dismissed the apology posted on Jordan’s Twitter account.

“We make decisions in life, and when you go back and change your mind on them, I feel like the only thing you can do is man up and apologize for it,” Jordan said. “And that’s what I did. I can’t speak for Mark or anybody else.”

Jordan has led the league in rebounding and field-goal percentage for two straight years, yet his initial logic for leaving the Clippers suggests he occasionally feels overlooked in the shadow of his two All-Star teammates. Still, he scoffed at the idea he has a fractured relationship with Paul.

“I love Chris,” Jordan said. “When Chris got here, he changed the culture of our team. He helped me out in so many ways on and off the floor, just becoming a better player and a student of the game. I know it may look (like an argument) on the floor because we’re both emotional and vocal players. But when it comes down to it, we’re criticizing each other because we want what’s best for the team.”

Rivers and Jordan both laughed at the memory of July 8, which the Clippers’ leaders spent holed up in Jordan’s home before he could sign his deal. Griffin kept fans entertained by tweeting photos of a chair wedged under the knob on Jordan’s front door, or a tent in the backyard at the supposed siege.

“It wasn’t a hostage situation,” Jordan said with a grin. “I feel like I’m a pretty big guy, and I don’t think they could lock me inside my own house.”

“Oh no, we could lock him up,” Rivers interjected. “If we wanted to, that would have happened.”

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Sale of Coliseum to African American Developers Moves Toward Completion

The deal includes the sale of the Oakland Arena to an unidentified third-party buyer for no less than $100 million, which Bobbitt said was one of the most important aspects of the site’s future redevelopment.

Published

2 weeks ago

June 16, 2026

bpusa-syndication

The deal includes the sale of the Oakland Arena to an unidentified third-party buyer for no less than $100 million, which Bobbitt said was one of the most important aspects of the site’s future redevelopment.

‘This is on the precipice of actually occurring,’ said Ray Bobbitt, buyers’ representative

By Post Staff

After many months of complex negotiations, the Oakland Coliseum development deal is finally nearing an agreement that will open the way for new owners – the African Americans Sports and Entertainment Group (AASEG) – to revitalize the sports complex and the Hegenberger Corridor in East Oakland.

On May 28, the Alameda County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a non-binding agreement to dispose of the County’s portion of the complex for $115 million in a deal with AASEG, with a closing date set for June 30.

“People are seeing that this is on the precipice of actually occurring,” said Ray Bobbitt, founder of the AASEG and an East Oakland native. “People feel that this needs to happen for Oakland, for East Oakland in particular,” Bobbitt said, as reported in the East Bay Times.

The agreement would transfer ownership of the 112-acre Coliseum complex property, which was owned 50-50 by Alameda County and the City of Oakland, to Oakland Acquisition Company, which is AASEG’s real estate wing.

The County’s approval marks an important step in the sale of the property, even though concerns about environmental liability remain. Under the terms of the non-binding agreement, the county will pay $115 million to Coliseum Way Partners, the corporate entity of the Oakland Athletics that had previously purchased the county’s half of the property for $85 million.

AASEG will then pay $115 million to the County in three annual payments, with 5% annual interest paid on any outstanding balance, according to the term sheet.

AASEG already negotiated a purchase of the city’s half of the property for $125 million in 2025, awaiting the sale of the county’s half.

A strong supporter of the sale, Supervisor Nate Miley said he was not “breaking out the champagne” until the sale was final. This is not perfect, but it is good.

“It’s good because the County ends up with more money,” Miley continued. “It’s good because an African American team takes ownership of the property, and they’ve got a lot of potential in terms of what they want to do with the property.”

A remaining disagreement between Alameda County and the AASEG involves environmental concerns.

AASEG wanted a “carve-out” for environmental concerns so that it would not face liability for the release of groundwater into San Francisco Bay without a permit. Obtaining a permit could be time-consuming and expensive, requiring the need for consultants, studies, and an oversight process by the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board.

County supervisors unanimously supported the non-binding agreement without the carve-out, though Bobbitt said delaying or excluding the carve-out creates timing risks for the project.

“The motion is to accept the terms as presented, excluding the carve-out,” Board of Supervisors President David Haubert said. “Noting that it’s a non-binding term sheet and terms can always be discussed going forward. It’s been pointed out that that could affect the deal, timing, which we’ve been at this for nine years, but what’s a little more time?”

“The arena represents an anchor of the site,” said Babbitt. “This arena … has become a pop culture mecca, and the opportunity to enhance that and expand that is critical to the overall process.”

Speaking at the Board of Supervisors meeting, Miley explained the County’s reasoning behind some of the complex negotiations. He asked interim County Counsel Andrea Weddle:

“In layman’s term’s who’s on the hook for the environmental (cleanup)” under the current deal with the Oakland A’s?

“When the county with a former board entered in the deal with the (A’s), we took on all of the environmental obligations,” Miley said. “Since then, we’ve learned a lot more about the environmental conditions of the Coliseum.”

“If we do a deal with Coliseum Way Partners (the A’s), we remain on the hook,” she said. “If we do a deal as we’ve currently structured with OAC (AASEG), we have eliminated some or hopefully all (or) as much as we can of that liability and aligned our deal with the terms of the city.”

Bobbitt, despite his concerns, supported the nonbinding agreement. He said the public has waited nearly a decade to come to this point.

“The community support has been overwhelming,” he said. “We’ve used a lot of P-words: patience, perseverance, persistence. And we’ve just had to do it, and we understand how complex this has been.”

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Seth Curry Makes Impressive Debut with the Golden State Warriors

Seth looked comfortable in his new uniform, seamlessly fitting into the Warriors’ offensive and defensive system. He finished the night with an impressive 14 points, becoming one of the team’s top scorers for the game. Seth’s points came in a variety of ways – floaters, spot-up three-pointers, mid-range jumpers, and a handful of aggressive drives that kept the Oklahoma City Thunder defense on its heels.

Published

7 months ago

December 4, 2025

Oakland Post

Seth Curry is a point guard on the GSW team.Photo courtesy of the Golden State Warriors.

By Y’Anad Burrell

Tuesday night was anything but ordinary for fans in San Francisco as Seth Curry made his highly anticipated debut as a new member of the Golden State Warriors. Seth didn’t disappoint, delivering a performance that not only showcased his scoring ability but also demonstrated his added value to the team.

At 35, the 12-year NBA veteran on Monday signed a contract to play with the Warriors for the rest of the season.

One of the most memorable moments of the evening came before Seth even scored his first points. As he checked into the game, the Chase Center erupted into applause, with fans rising to their feet to give the newest Warrior a standing ovation.

The crowd’s reaction was a testament not only to Seth’s reputation as a sharpshooter but also to the excitement he brings to the Warriors. It was clear that fans quickly embraced Seth as one of their own, eager to see what he could bring to the team’s championship aspirations.

Warriors’ superstar Steph Curry – Seth’s brother – did not play due to an injury. One could only imagine what it would be like if the Curry brothers were on the court together. Magic in the making.

Seth’s debut proved to be a turning point for the Warriors. Not only did he contribute on the scoreboard, but he also brought a sense of confidence and composure to the floor.

While their loss last night, OKC 124 – GSW 112, Seth’s impact was a game-changer and there’s more yet to come. Beyond statistics, it was clear that Seth’s presence elevated the team’s performance, giving the Warriors a new force as they look to make a deep playoff run.

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Barbara Lee

WNBA’s Golden State Valkyries Kick Off Season with Community Programs in Oakland

“The Golden State Valkyries are more than a team—they’re a movement,” said Oakland Interim-Mayor Kevin Jenkins. “Their touchdown in Oakland marks a new era of opportunity, inspiration, and equity in sports. This partnership reflects our city’s deep commitment to uplifting women, investing in youth, and building a community where every dream has a place to grow. We’re proud to welcome the Valkyries to The Town.”

Published

1 year ago

May 18, 2025

Oakland Post

The Valkyries came to Oakland City Hall with a “Hoopbus.” Present were (from left to right): City Councilmembers Noel Gallo, Rebecca Kaplan, Zac Unger and Rowena Brown; Oakland Mayor-elect Barbara Lee, Valkyries President Jess Smith, a Valkyries team representative and Deputy Mayor LaNiece Jones. Photo courtesy Rebecca Kaplan’s office.

Team installs new nets at playgrounds, holds flag-raisings at City Halls in Oakland and S.F.

Special to The Post

The Golden State Valkyries brought the excitement of their inaugural season to every corner of the Bay Area with a full slate of community celebrations leading up to their historic home-opener against the Los Angeles Sparks at the Chase Center in San Francisco on Friday.

The week featured flag-raising ceremonies at city halls in Oakland and San Francisco, three “Violet Net” installation days at Oakland parks to encourage basketball play, fun “Hoopbus” takeovers at multiple schools presented by Kaiser Permanente, and player appearances.

In total, 90 violet nets were installed on 45 basketball courts across 34 public parks throughout Oakland this week. A list of the parks receiving violet nets can be found at Valkyries.com.

About the Golden State Valkyries

The Golden State Valkyries, the WNBA affiliate of the seven-time NBA Champion Golden State Warriors, were announced as the 13th WNBA franchise on Oct. 5, 2023. According to Norse mythology, Valkyries are a host of warrior women who are fearless and unwavering – flying through air and sea alike.

This brand is Golden State’s modern interpretation of Valkyries: strong, bold, and fierce. Tipping off during the 2025 WNBA season, the team is headquartered in Oakland and will play home games at Chase Center in San Francisco. For Golden State Valkyries’ assets, including team logos, visit valkyries.com.