Kevin Garnett offers tips to DeAndre Jordan at Clippers practice
Clippers big man DeAndre Jordan covers Suns guard Eric Bledsoe during a game at Staples Center on Jan. 2
The voice boomed throughout the Clippers’ practice facility, leaving all the players no choice but to hear Kevin Garnett’s bark and to notice his presence at practice Tuesday.
Garnett bounced around forward Brandon Bass, intensely giving orders. Garnett then interrupted former Boston teammate Paul Pierce’s conversation with a member of the media and the two friends laughed.
And just before the start of practice, Garnett assumed his official role as the Clippers’ consultant and began working the center DeAndre Jordan.
The duo went to one side of the facility, and the former Celtics star showed Jordan the best method of shooting a left-handed hook. And then right-handed. And then gave tips on shooting from the middle of the lane with either hand.
Every step along the way, Jordan said Garnett’s instruction was “intense.”
“Yeah, you’ve got to be locked in,” Jordan said. “That’s just his personality. He’s an intense person. He’s locked in all the time and that’s contagious, man. I’m glad that we got him here. I’m glad that I’m able to take advantage of that. Whenever he’s here, he’s going to get tired of me.”
Months ago, Garnett was asked by Clippers Coach Doc Rivers, who missed practice Tuesday because he was home sick, to work with the team’s big men when his time permits.
It was Garnett’s first appearance since he helped out during the Clippers’ training camp in October.
Garnett also chatted with Blake Griffin, who is recovering from right knee surgery. Griffin was dressed in his practice gear, but he was just taking some shots while Garnet talked.
“You can tell that he loves the game of basketball,” Jordan said about Garnett, who won an NBA title in Boston in 2008 when Rivers was coached the Celtics. “He wants to teach people. He wants you to learn and he wants to give knowledge, and I want receive all of it.”
From their few practice sessions, Jordan said he has learned plenty from the 15-time All Star.
“Besides him cussing me out when we played against each other,” Jordan said, laughing about their encounters. “He’s a great spirit and a great basketball mind, a Hall of Fame guy, somebody I looked up to coming up and even playing the game. So any pointers he can give me and tips is great, man. I just want to be a student whenever he’s here.”
Etc.
If Doc Rivers misses Wednesday night’s game against Orlando at Staples Center, assistant coach Mike Woodson will take over as coach for the game….Clippers guard Austin Rivers, who missed Sunday’s game with the flu, was at practice Tuesday and said he was “feeling better” and expects to play against the Magic.
Clippers tonight
VS. ORLANDO
When: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday.
Where: Staples Center.
On the air: TV: Prime Ticket; Radio: 570.
Records: Clippers 26-14, Magic 16-23.
Record vs. Magic: 1-0.
Update: Tonight’s game will mark the halfway point for the Clippers in the 82-game regular season. The Clippers have defeated Orlando six consecutive times. The Magic have had problems offensively this season, ranking 27th in scoring (98.9 points per game), 25th in field-goal percentage (43.8%) and 28th in three-point shooting (33.7%).
Follow Brodierick Turner on Twitter @BA_Turner
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