Blake Griffin’s introductory press conference at the Clippers’ training facility on Monday attracted an assortment of media, corporate sponsors, VIPs, and a few lurkers — including Clippers’ second-year guard Eric Gordon. Wearing a Clippers’ tee and sweatpants, Gordon lingered in the far back of the gym, resting on a training table, as the Clippers’ executive team welcomed their #1 pick to the organization. After the official proceedings, Gordon sidled up to the buttoned-up Griffin as the press lobbed questions at both of them.
There were times last season as a shy, undemonstrative 20-year-old when Gordon appeared uncomfortable off the court in front of a media scrum. Today, he beamed alongside his new teammate. When a Clippers’ PR rep motioned to him that he didn’t have to take questions at Griffin’s event if he didn’t want to, Gordon was unfazed — that’s because he was having a blast as the grizzled vet at Griffin’s party. Eric Gordon could finally talk about something other than the burdens and undertakings of…Eric Gordon. All he was asked to address were the prospects of one Blake Griffin — and he couldn’t have been any cheerier.
Did he have any advice for the rookie?
“It’s a loooong season,” Griffin said emphatically. “Looooong. Especially when you’re a rookie. You got to think about Summer League, then preseason games. It’s long.”
While Griffin ceremoniously answered questions about where he might like to live and whom on the Clippers’ current roster he’s spoken to, Gordon presided confidently as the guy who’s been through it all. “I would say training camp is when it all hit me and I felt settled in and knew what I was doing.” Gordon said when asked how long it takes a rookie to acclimate to life in his first pro city.
Gordon made a personal no-hazing pledge to Griffin today. “I ain’t going to do that,” Gordon said. “It ain’t my style.”
Apparently Mike Taylor has no such compunction. Before Griffin even took the podium Monday, the second-year guard was already on the rookie. “He was out here working out and I was trying to get ready,” Griffin said. “He made me go get him a towel.”
Although the event was undoubtedly about Griffin, Gordon’s presence lent a real-world and unscripted context to an otherwise produced event. Griffin’s accomplishments in his rookie year will invariably be judged on his ability to integrate. The Clippers have enough individual talents, they need players who can create alchemy with guys like Gordon.
Griffin seems to recognize that. So does Gordon. Asked how he planned to utilize Griffin in a two-man game, Gordon smiled.
“Throw it up in the air,” Gordon said. “That’s all, because you know he’s going to catch one.”
(Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBA via Getty Images)
24 Responses
if those two can learn the pick and roll, nba watch out.
anyone else hear the rumor that the clips were ready to trade zach randolph for darko but sterling nixxed it? i have a strong feeling that there will be chemistry problems next year if we don’t move him.
Q.D. Reply:
June 29th, 2009 at 6:44 pm
According to Hoopsworld, those rumors are false. The trade was for Jaric and Buckner, both of them on the books til 2011
andrew Reply:
June 30th, 2009 at 1:27 am
Yes, according to Eric Pincus (who is close with the Clippers and a very good/knowledgable source) the Clippers were never offered Milicic. Jaric and Buckner is a horrible deal.
Posted on June 29th, 2009 at 5:49 pm
I heard the same thing. Villanueva from the Bucks is a free agent, it will be nice if the Clippers pick him up. He could score.
MC Reply:
June 29th, 2009 at 8:11 pm
Al Thornton does the same thing as Charlie at this point in his career… except he’s still on his rookie contract. Management needs to bring in a defensive/passing wing player.
Posted on June 29th, 2009 at 7:34 pm
Don’t know if anyone else has already put this out there, but with Houston without Yao for the next season, they seem like a prime candidate for trade talks with the Clippers. Maybe we could end up with Battier after all???
Clipper Derrick Reply:
June 30th, 2009 at 9:23 pm
I like the idea of getting battier.
Posted on June 29th, 2009 at 9:53 pm
Houston will never trade battier ever.
bongstradamus Reply:
June 29th, 2009 at 10:56 pm
They were ready to trade battier for rubio the other day.
andrew Reply:
June 30th, 2009 at 1:28 am
now with Yao out indefintley, they probably don’t want any more injury prone, aging centers.
Posted on June 29th, 2009 at 10:33 pm
You know DJ is going to mess with Griffin
Posted on June 30th, 2009 at 1:29 am
I want to touch on a few things:
1) Blake Griffin will fit really well with this Clippers team. His personality and basketball skills fits the Clippers style. I have been outspoken about the Coach and a few players, but honestly I am really excited to see how this works and if it doesn’t, we can always fire the coach mid-season, but I’m staying optimistic.
2) Eric Gordon will be a superstar in this league. His professionalism and knowledge of the game will continue to grow and his determination to succeed is immense. For him to not take part in any hazing activity shows his desire to win more games as a team. Why should any teammate put a rookie down? Gordon knows that there is much more important things than hazing a rookie. Sorry Mike Taylor, for you to already ask for a towel during Blake’s introduction press conference, it’s pretty pathetic. Sometimes, tradition needs to take a backseat if you’re coming off from a 19-game win season.
3) Although Sterling nixxed the trade, Zach Randolph will continue to be offered during this off-season. It was a good decision by the Clippers because Randolph’s value is a little more than Jaric and Buckner. So look for an adjustment of the trade with Memphis, because they need a big man. Someone mentioned it in this post, but I will NOT be surprised if Chris Kaman is traded to Houston for Shane Battier (Houston will need to add another player to match Kaman’s contract). Yao Ming is out and Houston has no true Center on the current roster. They are looking to re-sign Artest and with the Draft Day trades for Jermaine Taylor and Chase Budinger, the Rockets have a log-jammed at their SF/SG positions. So if they Rockets are looking for a true Center, they will need to sacrifice Battier. Good trade for both teams, if it does happen.
John Reply:
June 30th, 2009 at 11:30 am
I agree with you across the board Seth, nice post. EJ shows much better character than Taylor in this example.
And Kaman for Battier does seem like a trade that would make both teams better next year. Personally I like Kaman, but as Battier is the quintessential ‘glue guy’, that’d be a good thing to see.
Seth Reply:
July 1st, 2009 at 6:20 pm
Thanks John.
Clipsamba Reply:
June 30th, 2009 at 4:08 pm
I don’t think Taylor asked for anything. Griffin likes to mess around and have fun at others expense.
Posted on June 30th, 2009 at 9:05 am
Kaman seems to have turned into the bad guy around here. I am not defending but in keeping things fair, he is not a bad player, just not justifing his contract/deal .
In many games Ralph mentioned how CK drove up in his new Ferrari or how he just remodeled his house; He has a new boat , bough this bought that. Maybe if chris re-focused on his game again , his performance will return to 2.0 again.
Look at the Laker’s 2nd unit, and how they abused opposing team’s 2nd unit like the Clipper’s . As already mentioned on here , I like the depth of our roster and yes a good defensive wing would be great but if no worthy players come to us, we will still be set.
In particular I think of the Cleveland at LA game where Camby went out and Kaman came in. Now with Griffin on board…Damn ! Every game that baron shot well , LA kicked ass.
Posted on June 30th, 2009 at 9:06 am
Kaman is the text book example of ‘white trash’. I know because half my family is that way. Any money they get goes for the latest gadget or toy, never anything substanial or interesting. He’s a big, dopey, semi-illiterate kid from the woods. Who in there right mind buys a 60 foot boat to begin with? If you want to fish, buy a 25 foot fishing boat. He got his money and now could care less about staying in shape or basketball. If he wasn’t such a goofball he’s realize he might two more huge pay days if he just focused on the game.
As far as hazing goes, it’s not cruel…it’s tradition. It is a playful way of reminding these ‘kids’ who they are and where they are going. You think it’s like college where they tie your hands and pour whiskey down your throat? It’s innocent stuff. Buying donuts, getting towels and carrying gym bags. Oh my God, we need to abolish this now! Relax. It’s fun. Check of DJ’s videos on YOUTUBE and you’ll see. It’s a right of passage. Have we completely lost any sense of fun, history and tradition in this country?
Posted on June 30th, 2009 at 10:18 am
Detroit Pistons fired coach Curry today….
Posted on June 30th, 2009 at 10:52 am
Clippers extended qualifying offer to Novak. I’m happy about that move.
Posted on June 30th, 2009 at 12:19 pm
I’ve been a Kaman supporter – but I’m a Clipper Fan first – so why not trade Kaman to Houston for Battier and the rights to Budinger?
FireDunleavy .com Reply:
June 30th, 2009 at 3:36 pm
Why not trade Kaman for Lebron James? The GM of Houston is smart, they’re not going to touch Kaman. Last thing they needs is a center that gets injured.
I don’t think any team will trade for Kaman unless they seem him playing 15 games or so to start the season. If the Dunce really wants to trade him, Kaman will get a lot more touches and mins because of this.
Gordon and Griffin are the only Clippers with any trade value.
clippman Reply:
July 1st, 2009 at 1:04 pm
what are you talking about – would you make this move?????
Posted on June 30th, 2009 at 12:28 pm
pretty off topic…but did anyone else feel like the baby from The Hangover kind of looks like mdsr?
http://www.zap2it.com/media/photo/2009-05/46986294.jpg
Posted on June 30th, 2009 at 12:37 pm
It Ricky Davis is staying for one more season and Brain Skinner is opting out of his last season contract.
Posted on June 30th, 2009 at 1:07 pm
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