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Was DeAndre Jordan snubbed in defensive categories by GM survey?

Clippers center DeAndre Jordan defends against Utah guard Dante Exum on Oct. 17.
(Alex Gallardo / Associated Press)
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The Clippers think that DeAndre Jordan is the top defender in the league.

NBA general managers apparently don’t agree.

In an anonymous survey of the league’s 30 general managers, Jordan was not given any recognition in the defensive categories.

Under the category “Who is the best defensive player in the NBA,” Chicago’s Joakim Noah came in first with 35.7% of the votes. Cleveland’s LeBron James was next with 21.4%, then Houston’s Dwight Howard and Oklahoma City’s Serge Ibaka were tied for third with 14.3%. Also receiving votes were Memphis’ Tony Allen, Dallas’ Tyson Chandler, New Orleans’ Anthony Davis and San Antonio’s Kawhi Leonard.

No sign of Jordan.

The Clippers’ center wasn’t even mentioned under the more specific category of “Who is the best interior defender in the NBA?” In that category, Noah received the most votes at 39.3%, followed by Ibaka (25%), Howard (14.3%), and Memphis’ Marc Gasol (10.7%). Also receiving votes were Chandler, Davis and Indiana’s Roy Hibbert.

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Last season, Jordan led the NBA in rebounding (13.6 a game), finished third in blocked shots (2.5 a game) and led the NBA in field-goal percentage (67.6%).

Despite his success on the defensive end, he finished third in defensive player of the year voting for the 2013-14 season, trailing Noah and Hibbert.

Jordan has made it clear that he felt snubbed.

During an interview Oct. 2, the Clippers center interrupted a reporter’s question about not winning the award, adding, “and not making the [all-]defensive team either, so … “

Jordan said that those slights are driving him this season.

“Absolutely,” Jordan said. “I mean, I don’t really talk about it, I don’t really say anything to my teammates about it, but we know. We all see what’s going on.”

Now he just has one more thing to add to that list.

Twitter: @melissarohlin

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