Jordan Appreciates Rare Chance To Be Home For Thanksgiving

Rowan Kavner

HOUSTON – DeAndre Jordan finally gets to experience a normal Thanksgiving again.

NBA players and coaches rarely get to spend the holidays with their families, but Jordan will get that opportunity as the Clippers head to Houston for Thanksgiving prior to their Friday game against the Rockets.

“I’ll get to have some good food, so that’s a plus,” Jordan said. “Just to be around my family for Thanksgiving, I haven’t seen my family for Thanksgiving or Christmas for a long time, so that’ll be really good.”

Jordan said the typical Thanksgiving in his household involves “football, food and a lot of trash talk.” The former Texas A&M center and Cowboys fan will have the opportunity to watch his favorite NFL team with those closest to him. He said he may have some teammates join him, and it’ll be a great Thanksgiving for him regardless of what happens.

“We can’t eat too much though,” Jordan said. “We’ve got a game the next day.”

That’s sometimes easier said than done.

“It’s very tough,” Jordan said. “Usually on Thanksgiving you eat until you’re full or you can’t move. Tomorrow, can’t do that. I’m going to eat until I’m still a little hungry, but not full.”

While he’s not from Houston like Jordan, Glen Davis also said he has some family in Houston he plans on celebrating Thanksgiving with. He plans on enjoying the day watching football and reflecting on the year with his family.

Few NBA athletes get the luxury of celebrating any holidays at home with family. Matt Barnes, who has two kids, said that’s a tough reality a parent in the league never gets used to.

“Being away from them during the holidays is hard because they really don’t understand why, besides the fact that I have a game,” Barnes said. “That’s never easy.”

But Barnes is grateful to do what he does for a living and understands that’s a part of the game everyone has to deal with. During the holiday season, he’s still thankful for a lot.

“I’m thankful for my children. I’m thankful for an opportunity,” Barnes said. “I’ve been playing this game for a long time, to be in my 12th season, I’m very thankful for that and for my family and friends.”

Chris Douglas-Roberts said he’s thankful for both the good and the bad, because it’s only through the tough times that a person can learn lessons and come out better for it.

Jordan Farmar said Thanksgiving is always special, because it’s a time to get the whole family together to share stories and quality times. While the Los Angeles native won’t get that opportunity with his actual family, he’ll get to share a Thanksgiving dinner and a night off with his NBA family.

“I’m going to be away from my immediate family, but to be together with the guys will be cool,” Farmar said.

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