Clippers Coach: Here's Why I Socked DeAndre Jordan

Why would ANYONE punch a 6'11" NBA superstar in the face during a playoff game???

That's the question we posed to Clippers assistant coach Mike Woodson at LAX Tuesday -- referring to the chin check he gave DeAndre Jordan back in April.

Don't worry, it's not like he socked DeAndre's lights out -- Woodson explains it was more like a love tap to wake DJ up and "get him going."

You gotta watch the clip ... Woodson's awesome -- and explains the chin check ain't (and should NOT be) standard operating procedure with coaches.

We also asked if DeAndre ever got to return the favor -- his answer is pretty funny.