National Basketball Association

G'day mate! Ingles fitting in nicely with Clippers

Published Oct. 16, 2014 7:30 p.m. ET

foxsports

Joe Ingles probably knew he was starting to fit in with the Clippers when Blake Griffin started to imitate him. In front of him, of course.

Ingles, the 6-foot-8 Australian guard/forward, signed a one-year deal with the Clippers in his first run at making an NBA roster. He most recently played in Europe for the last five years.

He's never lost that undeniable accent.

"They don't really understand anything I say," Ingles joked. "DJ (DeAndre Jordan) and Blake are probably the worst at mimicking everything I say. They enjoy making fun of Australian accents."

Griffin even admitted to a poor imitation of Ingles.

Doc Rivers joked about communication issues with Ingles as well, but it was all in fun.

"There are times. It's English, I think. Right?" Rivers said with a laugh. "It's English spoken from Australia. I guarantee you there are things I say that he doesn't understand. It's a two-way street. I would think that's to his advantage. If he doesn't understand everything I say it would make him a better person."

Ingles, 27, is a rookie by NBA standards, but he's a veteran by professional basketball standards, having played everywhere from Melbourne to Tel Aviv to Spain.

New @clippers @joeingles7 . Watch who he says does worst job mimicking his accent & more fun. @foxsportsw https://t.co/1Ofe46oXII
— Jill Painter Lopez (@jillpainter) October 16, 2014

And now he has a dream opportunity and is hoping to make it stick.

"It's been In the works for a few years. I've had options the last few years," Ingles said. "I haven't really liked them or didn't think I was personally ready to come over. I thought it was a good time. I was finally free of all contracts. European contracts are pretty tough to get out of. This year, I'm finally free from all that. I thought it was a good situation. When these guys called it was kind of hard to say no to them."

Ingles can play guard and small forward and might be in that rotation of many players to start at small forward for the Clippers in the preseason. Ingles said he's received help from nearly everyone. Teammates will pull him aside in practice and help him. J.J. Redick has offered dining advice. And, of course, there are Griffin and Jordan, who do their best to sound like him.

"It's been great. The guys have been great. Very welcoming," Ingles said. "Makes it really easy when you come over from a different country and the guys are good and help you fit in really easily."

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And that means trying to talk like he does.

"We normally understand everything he's saying," Griffin said. "We definitely make fun of his accent. I might've been the first one to break through that barrier. It's not a very good accent, but it's fun to joke (around)."

And joking aside, Griffin likes what he's seen from Ingles on the court.

"I love his game. He has a lot of experience and just knows the games, the ins and outs," Griffin said. "He's crafty. He uses his size and experience well."

Ingles hopes his experiences can translate well in the NBA. Others have blazed a path before him and more Australian-born players are making NBA rosters. Cleveland Cavaliers point guard Kyrie Irving was born in Australia, as was teammate Matt Dellavedova. Dante Exum was just drafted fifth overall by the Utah Jazz.

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Depth is the biggest difference Ingles has noted from European and NBA teams.

"In Europe you have 5-6 good players, and the rest are either young guys from that country filling in last couple of spots or just guys that aren't really that talented," Ingles said. "To be in a situation where 15-16 guys here that are all super talented and could all play on this team and probably a lot of other teams makes for a pretty competitive environment. This team is ready and trying to win a championship. To be a part of something like this is special."