Gone are the days when DeAndre Jordan could take over the paint with his aerial acrobatics. Now, the big man is a backup center for the Denver Nuggets and plays a veteran role behind three-time MVP Nikola Jokic. His presence in the team is much needed, as he’s had some incredible experience throughout his time in the NBA.
However, he isn’t pleased whenever his younger teammates address him like a veteran player. According to Jordan, it makes him feel like he’s old. At 36 years old, the 6-foot-11 center is still capable of providing interior defense and the occasional lob finishes inside the paint. But it’s clear that his athleticism from his time with the Los Angeles Clippers has started to dwindle down.
Credit: Getty Images
On Thursday, he appeared as a guest on FanDuel TV’s “Run It Back,” where he talked about his experience of being a veteran for the Nuggets.
“Anytime somebody calls me ‘OG’ or ‘Big Homie,’ I hate that,” Jordan said. “Because then, that makes me feel old. ‘Cause that’s what I used to call Marcus Camby, who was my vet. And I’m like, ‘Wow, I’m that guy now.'”
Getting called “OG” might be how NBA players grow their “old man strength” 💪🗣️
Who could be the young guy that worked out with @DeAndre over the summer and now wants more matured muscles? 🧐 pic.twitter.com/3RgdvmNXoE
— Run It Back (@RunItBackFDTV) March 7, 2025
Jordan also revealed a story where one of his younger teammates was impressed with his strength. According to the Nuggets veteran, his trainer called him about one player, who he refused to name, that wanted to have his “old man strength.”
The one-time All-Star is in his 17th season in the league and is still serviceable. Jordan has played 46 games, averaging 3.3 points and 4.7 rebounds.
DeAndre Jordan doesn’t think the Denver Nuggets will trade Nikola Jokic
With the recent trades that have happened around the league, the futures of a few superstars are uncertain with their respective teams. During Jordan’s guest appearance at the FanDuel TV show, he was asked by former NBA player Chandler Parsons if there’s a chance the Nuggets would trade Jokic.
Without a thought, the big man shut down the talk about his teammate getting traded by the team that drafted him.
“I personally don’t see it,” Jordan said. “I also didn’t see the Luka thing happening.
Interestingly, thought, Jordan revealed a scenario where he thinks a breakup between Jokic and the Nuggets could happen.
“The only way I could see that is if he wanted to leave. And even if he wanted to leave, I’m not trading him… I don’t see it. And hopefully that’s not gonna happen in the forseeable future as long as I’m playing.”
Nikola Jokic will never leave Denver🫂 (as long as the Nuggets feel the same way as @deandre 😅)#MileHighBasketball pic.twitter.com/o4WOThZPi9
— Run It Back (@RunItBackFDTV) March 6, 2025
The Serbian center has brought a championship to the organization and has emerged as one of the best stars in the league. With what he’s accomplished for the Denver Nuggets, trading him would more than disappoint the entire fanbase.
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Reign also writes NBA and WNBA news updates on Sportskeeda. He started as a feature writer for AirAlamo, an NBA website that covers the San Antonio Spurs. Some of his work can also be seen on Valley of the Suns, a Phoenix Suns-centric website, where he served as a contributing writer.
