What would Eric Gordon look like if he were quicker, 3 inches taller, and a better ballhandler? Surely he’d look like a perennial All-Star with an unstoppable offensive game. Surely he’d resemble the recurring player that pops up in all of Mike Dunleavy’s better dreams. But do you know what this hypothetical monstrous version of Gordon would really look like?
He’d look just like Tyreke Evans.
For those of you who hven’t been able to watch Tyreke Evans compete this year — you’re missing out. Evans is a frightening new breed of guard with a blazingly fast first step and the ability to jump from zero-to-sixty faster than you can blurt out your favorite profanity. Team that with the lax handcheck rules, an incredibly muscular frame, and the height to finish in the trees and you’ve got yourself one special player. The best example of Evans general freakishness is how easily he blasts through the Clippers iso-set defense with the clock running down late [0:04, 3rdQ]. With the exception of Roy, Wade, and LeBron, that’s a jumpshot situation for just about everyone in the league.
Eric Gordon drawing the defensive assignment to this freight train of a player serves as a nice reminder of the gauntlet Gordon must run through as a defender at the 2 spot. The Evans – Gordon matchup is fascinating despite their respective teams appearing lottery bound. Evans is the future at guard in Sacramento just like Gordon is in Los Angeles, and their mano y mano battle tonight is likely the first of many to come.
One of Gordon’s biggest defensive strengths is his lateral quickness. Evans spends most of the first half deferring to Omri Casspi to create and score, but when Evans does try and attack off pick and rolls Gordon does a nice job of staying low and acting as a proverbial speed bump. The defense behind Gordon is what matters most, and it’s smart most of the night — Chris Kaman and DeAndre Jordan are regularly seen making their presence known around the free throw line area. Like a good safety in football, the Clippers bigs cheat up and over towards Gordon to ensure that he’s never left alone on an island with Evans. The defensive focus in the first half and a somewhat tentative Evans help the Clippers jump out to a 60-45 halftime lead.
With the Kings halfcourt offense not producing, Evans takes it upon himself to attack in transition before the Clippers backline can get set and rotate. With a head of steam and some momentum the assignment suddenly shifts from manageable to nearly impossible. Evans gets the majority of his 11 points in the third quarter off transition opportunities, with the most impressive being the layups in under four seconds and six seconds on the shot clock.
Evans is great in the third, but it’s the Eric Gordon show in the fourth. With the lead cut to six, the Staples crowd eerily silent, and the pendulum swinging in the Kings favor, Gordon snatches all the momentum back with a emphatic two handed jam in traffic for the bucket and the foul [10:03, 4Q]. Gordon follows up the next possession [8:14, 4Q] by receiving the ball on the right wing, jab-stepping left and going hard at the rim. Andres Nocioni, widely renowned for his ability to draw offensive fouls and general dirtiness, attempts to slide over and underneath the leaping Gordon to take the charge. Nocioni is much too late however, and Gordon is able to center himself in mid-air and finish with the contact for the and-1. Gordon’s next bucket comes from a page out of the Dunleavy playbook [7:39, 4Q]. Gordon starts on the right wing and initiates a dribble hand-off with Steve Blake. Gordon then darts across the three point line to the opposite wing, where he receives a high off ball screen from Chris Kaman. The screen gets just enough of Gordon’s defender and he’s freed up for a 26-foot three ball that’s true.
The scoring outburst from Gordon opens up the entire halfcourt offense. Kaman’s layup at [6:16, 4Q] is a direct result of the Kings’ help defense over compensating for Gordon. With Gordon ballhandling on the left wing, the pass to Kaman at the free throw line presents itself easily and Kaman only needs two dribbles to get to the rim and score. The very next set at [5:35, 4Q] is designed to be a Gordon/Kaman pick and roll, but Kaman slips and pops to the elbow where he’s wide open for an easy 16-footer. The next time down [4:28, 4Q] Gordon takes it right at Tyreke Evans, draws the foul, and flips up a shot that careens off the glass and falls in. It’s yet another and-1 for Gordon who finishes with 14 fourth quarter points and a season-high 30 for the game. The final bucket and harm puts the Clippers lead at 18 with 4:28 to play – far too much for the Kings and their mightmarish cover of a guard to overcome.
28 Responses
The crowd went berserk after that dunk. Clips need to do more of those dunks to bring us out of our shell.
Posted on February 21st, 2010 at 1:28 am
first sentence sums up exactly what i think about EG…
he has 30 points and we win….
just sayin’
Posted on February 21st, 2010 at 1:45 am
Tyreke’s going to be an elite 2 guard. He’s a really talented kid and I see him being one of the best at his position as he develops. Sacto was really blessed getting him, Casspi and Westphal this last offseason.
Eric had a great game tonight, I’ve been wondering why he hasnt been more of a focal point for our offense this season. He showed tonight he can be trusted with that role.
And i talked a lot of crap on Steve Blake, mainly because i didnt think Camby was worth him, but thank God for his passing ability and smart shooting!
Posted on February 21st, 2010 at 3:18 am
Gordon needs to realize he has the green light. He should be trying to get 25-30 ppg every night for the rest of the season.
I expected this from Blake, he is a pro, absolutely sterling professional. He’d be doing the same on the Nets or Lakers. Once Baron’s back recovers from that WHOLE WEEK OF REST DURING THE F’N ALL STAR BREAk, Blake will be that much more effective leading the second unit. With all that said, why the hell is he playing in Vans? Get that man some real shoes and he might average 15 assists a game.
Posted on February 21st, 2010 at 10:44 am
Gordon had his sight fixated upon the playoff. But found himself alone once Clippers decided to apply breaks on their chase. And he was visibly upset about the Clippers LOSING mentality. And he’s not going to sit around & watch this kind of sloppy & cheap happenings in Clipperland because he doesn’t want to be a part of that losing culture.
Not making him the focus of our offense from the game 1 resulted in Dunleavy’s early departure. Baron Davis is too old & physically unfit to carry this team on consistant basis. And making KAMAN the focus of our offense made it difficult for him to sustain his performance.
Overall Dunleavy failed to envision, plan and execute this season to perfection. He had all the tools. But did not know how to use them. Yes, Dunleavy didn’t want to put too much pressure on Gordon. But ERIC GORDON loves challenge and can flourish under enormous pressure. Clippers should not try to protect him too much. Give him the KEYS. He’ll unlock the potential of entire team.
Posted on February 21st, 2010 at 11:11 am
Is there any video of Kim Hughes post game interview? I heard Ralph Lawler handed Hughes a bottle of champagne.I’d love to see Hughe’s reaction.
Posted on February 21st, 2010 at 11:16 am
Baron can’t carry Blake’s jock. This could get ugly.
Posted on February 21st, 2010 at 4:42 pm
To Be Fair Eric Is Faster And Way More Athletic Than Tyreke Evans
Posted on February 21st, 2010 at 4:55 pm
Its pays to be a clipper fan, doubled my money with this win. Limiting turnovers and spreading the floor are all steve blake and that is what we need, what a great trade? Haha dunleavy haters need to suck it
FireDunleavy .com Reply:
February 22nd, 2010 at 1:58 pm
Huh? Suck it? They’re aleady out of the playoffs and blake will be gone next year. I thought the whole point of the trade was to be able to offer a max contract. So if you offer the max contract, blake is gone. I don’t know what would make you think Blake would want to re-sign.
clippafan4life Reply:
February 23rd, 2010 at 2:38 am
offering a max contract doesn’t mean we get anyone, so we have options now. blake can neutralize baron’s craziness, I don’t see how we let him walk after this season.
Posted on February 21st, 2010 at 6:06 pm
1. Trade Baron Davis to GSW. We don’t want him to carry this team anymore. 2 failed seasons are enough.
2. Instead of going after an “A” list player, Dunleavy should focus on netting better talent which won’t cost us fortune. Let’s be realistic, LBJ, Wade & Bosh are not going to come to LA.
3. Don’t make a hurried decision on hiring a new coach. Let Kim Hughes finish this season.
4. Try to retain Steve Blake & Travis Outlaw. Let’s hope Butler & Smith don’t do “Bobby Simmons”. Both of them fit in perfect in our system.
5. Don’t let go Drew Gooden yet. Make sure of Blake Griffin’s status. What if “Greg Oden” happens to Griffin?
6. Try to bring in SAM CASSEL to Clippers org. in some capacity.
Clipper fans would embrace any squad MINUS Baron Davis next season.
qd Reply:
February 21st, 2010 at 7:37 pm
Trade gordon for stephan curry, he’s a way better player. Curry can dribble, pass and has a great iq.
Gordons like al Thornton, if he doesn’t learn to dribble he won’t get any better
Ben S. Reply:
February 22nd, 2010 at 12:29 am
Eric Gordon like Thornton?
really?
woah…….
cmon now
Mike Wr Reply:
February 22nd, 2010 at 6:17 am
Put Curry in a half-court offense and he doesn’t do jack. Plus, he’s not strong enough to play any D. Think he would be able to defend Evans? On the other hand, put Gordon in an uptempo offense and his numbers go up.
TNT57 Reply:
February 22nd, 2010 at 10:11 am
G.S. is not giving up Curry for anything…period. They’ve said so repeatedly in the press.
Posted on February 21st, 2010 at 6:13 pm
Blake is a better fit then BD. I am excited to see outlaw play and i agree with the earlier statement about getting QUALITY players next year.
Posted on February 21st, 2010 at 9:42 pm
We’ve been getting “quality” players forever. It’s either a) they get hurt, or b) they don’t deliver. I think it’s about time we actually went for a superstar.
To be fair to Baron Davis, he played all right most of the season. It’s just when the ish hit the fan, people need someone to blame I guess. Him and Dunleavy are easy scapegoats. I agree that it would be beneficial to get rid of him somehow as it would make the franchise better, but we as fans tend to get really hasty and emotional with our opinions. Blake’s played how many games now with the Clippers and he’s already seen as a replacement for Davis? (Most fans that post on this blog complained about the trade.) Sam Cassell would make the franchise better how? (He wouldn’t be playing, that’s for sure.) Will giving Deandre Jordan more minutes REALLY unlock this mystical potential that we’ve been saying he has? (In one game early in the season he got two traveling calls. Come on now…)
Posted on February 21st, 2010 at 11:04 pm
Boy the Blazer fans are already crying for Steve Blake especially after Utah’s come back win tonight after being down by 25.
Posted on February 21st, 2010 at 11:33 pm
Players are the least of our problems, it’s upper management. Example…OK Thunder. Look how fast this franchise has become a power. The Clippers have had 3 decades and couldn’t get to where the Thunder have in 3 years. What’s the one common thread? MANAGEMENT. Until the team is sold and these basketball retards are cleaned out we’re screwed.
True Reply:
February 22nd, 2010 at 10:25 am
Steling wants to win CHAMPIONSHIP. But doesn’t know ABCD about what it takes to be a Champion. He wants to buy it. Heck no… you can’t buy a RING, Mr.Sterling. You should be worthy of it. Do you really think MONEY can buy anything?
Make it your CULTURE first. Hire a topnotch GM. Then you’ll see the change.
randy Reply:
February 22nd, 2010 at 12:16 pm
TNT you are wrong. Do you forget that the organization moved, it wasn’t an expansion franchise. The front office is essentially the same.
TNT57 Reply:
February 22nd, 2010 at 3:11 pm
Then change the name of the Clippers and problem solved.
Posted on February 22nd, 2010 at 10:10 am
The same players that Dunleavy got….he got rid of…..Davis,Thorton,Camby,and Telfair…..This guy is a loser…..When no one signs and Blake and etc leaves..this team will really stink….
Posted on February 22nd, 2010 at 2:52 pm
this isnt even playing for next year….only 4 players and no coaches will be returning….
FireDunleavy .com Reply:
February 22nd, 2010 at 3:21 pm
It’s Lebron of bust.
Posted on February 22nd, 2010 at 3:02 pm
yeh only couple of players will be back and different coach… a whole new NEW looks Clippers once again but theres alot of money to spend here
basiacly the managmet needs to find players that fill in the role and play to the level of Davis, Gordon, Griffin, and Kaman…along with Jordan if he stays
so far the PG spot and PF spot seem to be solid…but theres descent enough backups for the other guys
Posted on February 22nd, 2010 at 3:29 pm
Thorton had another good game.
Posted on February 22nd, 2010 at 6:46 pm
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