Eric Gordon, Playmaker

02 Nov 2010

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Charlie Widdoes breaks down the evolving Eric Gordon

He remains ice cold from three, and the team is now 0-4, but this, Clipper fans, is what we should love about Eric Gordon. When everyone spoke of his budding confidence coming off a summer starring for team U.S.A., they were talking about his will to take over, his refusal to defer to teammates who would not, or could not, deliver the goods. No, his team didn’t beat the Spurs, in fact they lost by nine, but he played possibly the best game of his career, and gave us all a glimpse of the team leader that he has become. Not only did he wind up with a career high 11 assists, but he scored 23 points on 59% from the floor, going extremely hard to the rack. And he did it with the controlled chaos that makes him a truly unique player.

Very few players can beat the Spurs by themselves, but tonight we saw that Gordon may be among the few players in the league who can give them as much trouble as he did. At halftime, Rebecca Haarlow reported that the Spurs goal was to contain Gordon’s penetration in the second half, which they were unable to do. With Baron Davis out, he asserted himself on offense as the playmaker many (including myself) wondered if he could become. He showed again that no matter how the team performs, he will continue to attack, but he did so with a more complete game than we have seen from him to this point in his young career. No, he didn’t make a three, but I doubt anyone would question his ability in that area.

As Ralph and Mike pointed out at one point, Gordon was mad. He was mad at the team’s poor start, and he responded with an effort that has no business being associated with a loss to one of the league’s best teams. Chris Kaman finally had a decent shooting night, and we all expect Blake Griffin and the other rookies to continue to improve, but I think it’s important we remember that Eric Gordon is not only an exceptional shooter and defender with athleticism that’s not so sneaky anymore, but he is a ferocious competitor that will do everything he can to help his team win.

It’s always been that way for Eric. His demeanor has always lent itself to under appreciation, but his game has spoken for itself since long before the Clippers had him fall into their lap with the 7th pick of the 2008 draft. Back in 2007, his AAU teammate, Derrick Rose, explained why the two of them are so similar: “We don’t play around. We don’t talk smack when we’re on the court. We take everything serious.”

It remains to be seen how the 2010 Clippers are able to weather yet another rough start, but for those looking for signs of hope, look no further than Eric Gordon, the guy who will absolutely not go down without a fight. Also the guy who, when his shot isn’t falling, will throw down ferocious dunks and decide that it’s time to become a playmaker.

http://www.soccergoals.net Noel

I loved seeing Gordon at the point. He was playing the way that I wish Baron Davis would. To be honest, I almost think that Vinny D should just make him the starting point guard and get he and Griffin some time together to grow on the court this year. But I guess the Clipps owe too much money to B Diddy for that idea.
- TNT57
  
  Why not CINDERELLA at the point with YOGI BEAR at the 2? It’s all fantasy.
  
  BOYCOTT THE CLIPPERS. STAY AWAY FROM STAPLES.
JaySee

If EG improves his handles and stops traveling (his first monster dunk was blatant traveling before and after he dribbled) maybe we can move him to PG, ditch BD, and move Butler to starting SG.
Cassellmania

After last night, I really hope this is the beginning of the Gordon-Bledsoe era. They both play great D, both can shoot the 3, and can trade playmaking duties until Bledsoe gets better. It took OKC a couple rough seasons before pulling it together- thats what were looking at here with this promising young core. It’s always been clear that Baron is not the PG of the future (or the present until he proves otherwise), and we may as well get Bledsoe the PT he needs to learn. Heck, if this team could just shoot the 3 better we’d be pretty decent right now. . .
- Newtybar
  
  That’s a really small backcourt though.
  - Cassellmania
    
    But they are both STRONG for their size, can handle bigger guards (just ask Kobe about EJ’s D). Still not convinced? How about EJ at point, Sual at the 2. Now thats a big backcourt for you, and one that can shoot. Anything but Baron until he proves his worth off the pine.
  - http://www.clipperblog.com Ismael
    
    You misread that. He meant Gordon splitting time with Bledsoe at the 1, with Butler starting at the 2.
hyperdrive6

Let make a push to get Carmelo. Let’s trade Baron, Kaman and Butler. That should cover the salary cap and at the same time move some death weight of the team. Also, FYI, Gomes isn’t looking that good either.
- Chris McD
  
  FYI Gomes did well last night.
  - Ben S.
    
    No he didnt. Are you talking about the wide open layup he missed?
    Dont lower the standards so much (since he had been so HORRIBLE) that a less horrible game seems like he did “Well”
    - Newtybar
      
      No…he did ok.
      
      14 points, 2/4 threes, 3 rebs (should be more), 2 assists
      
      is ok for a fifth option glue guy.
    - Newtybar
      
      It wasnt a wide open layup btw…he created that by penetrating…he just didnt get the elevation that he needed.
      
      you are basing his entire night on one play?
      - Gordon Bombay
        
        Yes, he is.
hyperdrive6

Gordon completely surprised me last night. I’m a big fan of the guy, but I always assumed he just wasn’t a playmaker, but dude blew my mind last night. This team is his if he wants it. Baron is a joke.
- Newtybar
  
  one game sample, but I got pretty excited too….
  - griffin
    
    Vdn should think about it and trade davis to charolette for a sg and keep gordon at pg while beldsoe continues to learn
Smush

EJ and Blake (soon will be if he can make a jumpshot) are the primary scoring options plain and simple. As much as I appreciated Kaman’s effort last season his role of being the “primary” scorer is done. I loved the swagger EJ showed yesterday specially on that insane dunk in the second quarter, and it truly looked like a different Eric. He and Blake have the energy and fight that makes me want to watch the clippers but when I see Baron out there sometimes, it just doesn’t feel right anymore, because it’s not his team. Sure there are a lot of other things that we can do better like…um…DEFEND THE 3!!! and maybe…DEFEND THE 3!!! and be smarter with the ball to limit turnovers and rushed shots, but in any case it was encouraging to see EJ and Blake work really hard to try to win.

Team chemistry is a hard thing to develop especially when you continue to lose because the team morale is already down, and it doesn’t help when your first 8-9 games are against legitimate west conf. playoff teams. But at least we saw a glimpse of the leadership and fire EJ brought to the court against the spurs. I would say things are looking up, but then again I could be wrong (and i really really really don’t want to be wrong).
Reverend Murry

It’s time to make the changes “before” we need to. Bring Baron off the bench if we can’t trade him. Maybe he’ll be mad enough to rally the second unit to try and upstage the starters. Eric and Eric has to make up the backcourt. Sit Chris Kaman down and let’s roll with DJ. Chris will play major minutes because DJ will get into foul trouble BUT the energy will be there to compete. We’re not skilled enough to win any half court battles, so let’s roll back to those Maggette, Miles, Richardson and Odom days…..Fast Break and exciting! Let’s go Clippers!
- Smush
  
  agreed.
- JaySee
  
  I like your idea, but I’d put Butler at the 2 and have Bledsoe off the bench. Davis would sit at the end of the pine like Starbury. Since we’re running, Aminu would be better at the starting 3 than Gomes.
  
  Starters
  Gordon
  Butler
  Aminu
  Griffin
  Jordan
  
  Bench
  Kaman
  Bledsoe
  Gomes
  
  The rest can just sit unless there’s foul trouble or injuries.
QD

Have to love clipper games, You can hear everything. I heard “Kaman, YOu SUCK”.
- Newtybar
  
  didn’t really like those chants…
  
  Kaman has always been good to the Clips and loyal.
  
  Why turn your back on your own players even if they aren’t playing well at the moment.
  - VH
    
    Especially when we know he takes those things personally…
    
    Booing your own team is the stupidest things fans can do. You think your negativity is going make them play better?
    - RL
      
      Amen.
      - Ben S.
        
        Yeah I heard this alot when I went to games seasons past. Give Kaman that, he sucks, but he has been loyal and is the longest tenured Clipper.
    - Cappy
      
      +1
Mike G

the only thing that really bugged me is that blake needs to play harder in the second half then the first. you could start a game as strong as you want but if you cant finish strong then its like the first half doesnt even matter.
Bongstradamus

I mentioned we should try and have Eric play point 2 years ago with Baron playing 2. Last night was just amazing. We need to experiment with Eric playing the 1 a lot more.

And this is exactly how i expected the season to unfold. There are bright spots with the young guys, but we are a team in transition. If you guys expected playoff basketball, you only have yourselves to blame.

We’ve got some solid pieces to build around. Things are going to get better. We are one of the youngest teams in the league with a new coach. Be patient. There are improvements, this isnt the doldrums of a Dunleavy-led squad. Our young guys are developing and gaining chemistry.
Mike

The biggest problem for the Clipps this year is their lack of depth. Unless the guys coming of the bench can contribute more, they will continue to struggle. Rasual can (and must) be a guy to help in this area, but he is very inconsistent. This is exactly why they can have awesome games from people like Eric and BG and still lose.
- Ganima
  
  Lack of depth is a problem every year. We construct our team at the bare minimum and assuming no injuries. Randy Foye as the only legitimate backcourt bench player? Good teams have veteran talent on the end of the bench, that even if they don’t run for 10 games straight, can fill in a pinch. We either sign rookies to fill out roster or d-leaguers.
Ganima

I don’t think it’s necessary to pin down EG as a 1 or a 2. Bottom line is that he needs the ball to be effective. VDN has hopefully come to that conclusion and will call his number more often, and, more importantly, get Baron to defer or bench/trade his ass.

Baron has already brought down this team and clearly isn’t a long-term solution. I would gladly take one someone else’s problem in exchange for Baron.
- griffin
  
  Gordon doesn’t need the ball he’s good off the ball if you watch team usa you would know. Gordon just looks more amazing when he takes over the ball cuz everyone else doesn’t look good except blake. Another okc give it two years aminu and bledsoe will be good when they are veterans and when that happens will we be looking at a championship team?
Dump Davis

No doubt in my mind Davis tanked it last night. He just didn’t want to play against Parker and the Spurs because he’d get torched, plus he’s been getting heat from the coach, so he just said “heck with you” and sat it out. That’s been his typical modus operandi here the last two seasons, and he did it again last night.

Notice how Gordon and Kaman played much better without Davis dogging it at point guard.

By the way, I think the Clippers should boot Craig Smith off the team. What he did was despicable.

Kaman has to lose the beard. It’s way too wierd of a thing for it not to have a bad effect on his ADD.
- Bongstradamus
  
  MAN, I can understand you’re dislike for Baron, but leave Rhino out of this.
  
  Rhino does the hard work other players wont do, and he is highly efficient when he plays. He probably shouldnt have gone to the lengths he did, but hes been nothing but great for our team.
clippafan4life

damn i posted a changing of the guard months ago and NO ONE even gave me an ounce of credit. what a bunch of followers.
- Ben S.
  
  haha STOP.
lopes

The real fear the beard is san francisco………….. he just won the world series for his team… please baron drop that nickname you don’t deserve it…….
lopes

The real “fear the Beard” is in San Francisco… He actually won the world series for his team… does cleveland still want baron? will take mo williams and anthony parker for baron….
Ryan

Eric Gordon looked like a top 10 point guard last night. His size at the 1, would make him an elite point guard. He is 6’3 and 230+lbs. He can get to the rack, knock down the midrange, and hit the 3pt. Maybe VDN should try Gordon, Butler, Gomes, Griffin, and Kaman as the strating five.
- Newtybar
  
  needs better handles to be a full time PG
mark

I have 4 possible trade destinations for baron.

Atlanta for jamal Crawford

Charlotte for Stephen Jackson or Gerald Wallace

Knicks for eddy curry

And finally, the cavs for jamison or mo Williams/varejao. Varejao coming off the bench would be nice.

I honestly feel it is time to move on.
- Bongstradamus
  
  I think Detroit is someone we should be talking to. They need a 1 and a 5. I think at this point Tayshaun or Rip could be the thing we need to shore up the 3. Rips contract is a little scary, but Tay expires after this season. Probably makes Tay untradeable if we’re looking to give up Baron or Kaman, Dumars probably doesnt want longer contracts on the books especially at over 11m a season.
  
  If we are talking to them and the conversations involve Kaman, I think we should add whatever we need in order to get Greg Monroe included in the deal. He’d be the perfect big man for this team. He’s young, has a high IQ, can pass out of a double and has a soft touch. If we’re going to have a project center, we might as well get one who has a ton of upside to tap. Not one still learning basic fundamentals after his seventh season.
- BQ
  
  Atlanta can’t handle Baron’s salary…the Cats arent gonna part with one of their two best players for Baron and Eddy Curry is now expiring so the Knicks ain’t gonna trade him….the Cavs situation is possible but it wont be Varejao….it would be williams and parker or moom…..
  
  I agree that Detrot is realistic…..for Tayshun Prince..but i see a 3 way cuz even tho we NEED SF we arent gonna have a glut at that position….The only Pistons i see coming over would be Prince, Stuckey or Maxiell……i could see Butler involved in that deal if we were to get Prince
  
  Relaistically tho, Baron probably isnt trade-able
Robert Lehrer

I’d love to see the Clippers trade Baron as much as all of you who’ve expressed that wish.
But open your eyes, guys. If the Clips are so anxious to unload BD, who else wants him?

I can’t imagine another team in the NBA wanting Baron’s overpriced contract any more than the Clippers want it. The Clippers would have to add a valuable chip to any deal that includes Baron.
Ben S.

Pistons having Problems!!!
send baron and kaman for AAAANYTHING at this point id think it be addition by subtraction!!!
- BQ
  
  Pistons love Kaman but i dont see them taking both of those contacts on when they could be in the running for Harrison Barnes
Dump Davis

Davis will sit out again tonight, this time because he’s scared of going up againt Westbrook and the Thunder, just like he was scared of going up against Parker and the Spurs.

He’s such a dog. He came off horribly in his comments in the LA Times yesterday. He sounded like a mind boggled buffoon. His comments to TJ Simers sure sounded like a physical threat to me. The threat is indirect and veiled and meant to sound like it’s not a threat, but it still is a threat.

Maybe the Clippers can void his contract for it.

Here is another column yesterday on the Clippers by Lisa Dillman:
http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-clippers-spurs-20101102,0,4693283.story
“Del Negro had a long chat with Davis on Sunday and presumably that wasn’t the first one. He did think the message was getting through … maybe.

“Baron wants to do it, but you get to a point where talking about things is talking about things,” Del Negro said. “I need to see action. I need to see it happen. And the players need to see that.”

Here’s the Davis quote: “You can see how fired up I am,” Davis says. “I’m smiling and * not ripping your head off+. My joy is back after two years of frustration. You watch this season, I’m going to get the last laugh.” (It means he could be ripping his head off and just might some other time, so watch it.)

(Then Simers adds: “That’s when he tells me he’s not playing Monday night because his knee is sore, and all I can do is laugh”.)

The Clippers have to get rid of Davis.

Here’s the entire column: http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-simers-20101102,0,1324412,full.column
- Cassellmania
  
  And for all those who are still on the BD wagon, i don’t blame you. On paper he seems like a great fit to this team but the reality on court has been the opposite. While Baron is a talented playmaker, he’s just not a great half court player/3pt shooter and at this point he’s just taking possessions and minutes our young players need to develop. Im still gonna give him one more chance to prove himself this year, but the clock is ticking. At 31, BD has some quality years left in him, he just may need one more change of scenery to bounce back.
  You want to see this team succeed? Surround Griffin and Kaman with reliable shooters and defenders.
- http://www.firedunleavy.com FD
  
  He’s sitting out again tonight?
  - Dump Davis
    
    From Lisa Dillman’s FYI in the LA times today:
    
    “The rookie Bledsoe was prepared to play major minutes against the Spurs after guard Randy Foye strained his left hamstring Saturday at practice. However, Bledsoe spoke to Baron Davis on the phone Sunday night and had no indication that Davis would be out of the lineup because of a swollen left knee.
    
    Bledsoe’s pace has been accelerated because of the injured guards and it’s likely to continue because *it appears that Davis will sit out Wednesday’s game against the Oklahoma Thunder.*”
TNT57

blah-blah-blah…surround them with security because Clippernation is about to revolt. I’ve been calling for a boycott for over a year and now Clipper Darrell has joined my team. He will not wear his red, white and blue suit or call cheers at the games until something changes.

STOP BUYING CLIPPER TIX. STAY AWAY FROM STAPLES AND TAKE THE POWER BACK.

You can’t have a revolution without revolt and with no revolution there will be NO change. Hate me if you want. But I’m right and when this team is looking at 0 and 10 you’ll start to see the truth.
VH

Can anyone tell me what draft pick we traded for Eric Bledsoe?

Also, what happens to draft picks in a lockout? Does the draft still occur? Surely no underclassmen will join.
- Dump Davis
  
  The Clippers traded “a heavily protected” first round pick for Bledsoe. It’s not the Minnesota pick but one of their own. Don’t know what year. Heavily protected means the Thunder get it only if the Clippers finish out of the lottery. If they finish in the lottery, the Clippers keep it and the Thunder have to wait at least another year.
  
  My personal opinion is that it was a good trade. I think Bledsoe should be the starter over Davis, even though Bledsoe has plenty of his own weaknesses.
  - BQ
    
    ive heard a couple things….ive heard that it was OUR 2011 pick (we keep Minny’s) and i’ve heard it was like 2016
    
    Bledsoe can be the starter, but he is gonna NEED Randy Foye to be healthy cuz i can assure you he is not ready for full time PG duties regardless of what we saw in that OKC game
Nathan

I do think the only way to get to Baron is to Bench him. I really like Baron but he has done nothing for the Clippers except create a bad attitude on this team.

Someone has got to take him even for nothing so we make a run at Aaron Brooks next year or move gordon over with bledsoe.
hangtheGM

Everyone who thinks players are coming should realize that’s what our off season was for and we blew it. Our moronic GM isn’t bringing any new players in. We have a young core and they will exploit that for as long as we will take it and then by the time we have a decent team (of lottery picks) EJ and Blake won’t re-sign and we’ll do it all over again.

If a trade does happen it will happen like last season, once we admit defeat and we will ship off the wrong players for guys that won’t re-sign with us. I don’t understand why it took actually seeing this train wreck of a team for people to understand we have gaping holes in our team and nothing is being done. The team has to be sold, or we boycott! because watching players collect millions while the fans (who pay for everything) suffer through a recession is beyond disgusting.
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http://www.firedunleavy.com FD

Oh yeah, this basketball is great. It’s different than all the other basketball blogs. Posting video from 3 years ago is fresh. I like how you keep it old school. Your insite is so much better than the paid professionals at espn.

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