Impressive First Start For Hollywood Rook

by Steve Weinman on Nov 25, 2008 1:07 AM EST in NBA Comment 16 comments

Eric Gordon made his first career NBA start on Monday night in Los Angeles. It's hard to imagine he'll be waiting too long for the next one.

The one-and-done Indiana guard entered the draft with a reputation for his shooting touch, and that stroke was prominently on display in a losing effort as the Clips battled the Hornets last night.

Shortly into the game, the lottery pick filling in for the departed Cuttino Mobley headed to the locker room after rolling his ankle. He returned not long thereafter, and from there on the Clippers' offense amounted to the Eric Gordon Show.

Gordon showed off his knack for bombing from the outside all night. He showed no shyness, constantly utilizing his quick release and one-dribble pull-up moves to burn the Hornets from mid-range and beyond the arc.

At one point in the second quarter, the neophyte scored eight points in a three-possession span. He banged two threes off of kickouts and then stepped in for a 19-footer from the free throw line extended. Confidence, a lack of hesitation and picture-perfect mechanics made Gordon's shooting a beauty to watch. When it was all said and done, he went for 25 points on 9-for-17 shooting, including 4-of-8 on threes.

Welcome to the lineup, Eric.

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Really impressive

that he came back from the ankle sprain and did that. I said in my recap that I wouldn’t be surprised to see him develop into a fat version of Gilbert. He’s surprisingly quick.

His biggest problems would appear to be on defense. But considering he’s a rookie, he has some time to figure that part of his game out. Offensive players tend to stick around far longer than defense first ones, and Gordon looks like he might have the makings of a great offensive player.

by atthehive on Nov 25, 2008 2:09 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

A visit from ATH is always a welcome sight...

Agreed that Gordon could have looked better defensively – but I’m really not sure what would have been a fair standard to expect on a night when he spent a lot of time with the unenviable assignment of having to try to stay in front of the game’s best point guard. I don’t know that his defensive reputation was any great shakes to begin with, but there are few players of any defensive caliber that look too good against your boy. As you note, he’s a rookie, and there is plenty of time to see what he can do i the defensive department.

But boy, can he shoot or what?

“A fat version of Gilbert.” I like that. Gotta love his baby face look, too. It’s stunning to think that five months ago, I was sitting near him at media day before the draft thinking to myself, “Up close, this guy looks about old enough to be trying out for his high school JV team,” and tonight, he was just killing it against one of the league’s best teams. I’m looking forward to more from him – as I’m sure you are on nights when the Hornets aren’t involved.

-sw

Manuel Aristides Ramirez is the greatest hitter I've ever seen.

by Steve Weinman on Nov 25, 2008 2:24 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Hahaha, the baby face is awesome

Yeah, Gordon just gets into unconscious zones. I watched a lot of his games at Indiana last season. I know the concept of “streak shooting” and all that was mathematically disproven by some stats guys… but Gordon seems like walking, talking evidence contrary to that. Gordon was so hot tonight, even Baron Davis deferred to him on a ton of possessions. And we all know Baron, offense, and defer are three words that do not mix.

Honestly, I’m really surprised by the Clippers in general. When the blogger power rankings had them third last or second last in the league in Week 2, I pretty much laughed out loud. I thought they were easily a top 20 team. Now I’m not so sure. This looks like Exhibit A for all talent, no chemistry.

by atthehive on Nov 25, 2008 2:40 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

"This looks like Exhibit A for all talent, no chemistry."

And just how excited are you for Zach Randolph (perhaps my most disliked NBA player for exactly that reason) to join that mix?

Couldn’t agree more – I thought this team would fight all year for a playoff spot and either just miss it or slip in depending on the health situations of a couple of other mid-level teams in the West. Huh-yuge disappointment so far, injury issues notwithstanding.

-sw

Manuel Aristides Ramirez is the greatest hitter I've ever seen.

by Steve Weinman on Nov 25, 2008 2:49 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Oh man, Zach Randolph

on the Clippers is going to be on of the most entertaining stories to watch. Can you imagine if they ran a Davis/Thornton/Zach/Kaman/Camby lineup? If a team ran the pick and roll every play against those 5, they might score 200 in a single game. I feel pretty bad for Thornton. This could’ve been his year with Brand leaving and with a good point guard added. Instead, he’ll take a back seat to the Randolph/Camby/Kaman circus.

by atthehive on Nov 25, 2008 3:01 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Exactly

Even as bad as Thornton was tonight, there’s real excitement value to me in watching the likes of him and Gordon getting to run with Baron. While I’m sure he’ll still be on the floor (can’t see them starting all three bigs in the frontcourt), we know what Zach Randolph does to the actual offensive involvement of his teammates…nonetheless, I’m curious to see how this plays out.

-sw

Manuel Aristides Ramirez is the greatest hitter I've ever seen.

by Steve Weinman on Nov 25, 2008 3:13 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

By the way

What do you think the Celtics will look like, summer of ’10 and going into 2010-2011? I know the Knicks and all them want to make a run at LeBron/Bosh, but will the entire power structure of the East look really different by then?

by atthehive on Nov 25, 2008 3:21 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

rookies, rookies, rookies

Is it too early to say this is the best rookie class ever?

DJ Augustin had a pretty sick night for Charlotte too. All over the league rookies are producing (and not just the lottery guys)

by redzdeadbabyredzdead on Nov 25, 2008 7:20 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

re: rookies, rookies, rookies

I’d definitely agree that the rookies are producing quite well. However I feel there is a movement this year where teams are almost handing their teams over to their young guns. Its definitely too early to call them the best draft class of all time. The big three of draft classes (2003, 1996, and 1984) were all extremely talented.

2003: Lebron James, Carmelo Anthony, Dwayne Wade, Chris Kaman, David West, Josh Howard
1984: Hakeem Olajuwon, Michael Jordan, Charles Barkley, Alvin Robertson, Otis Thorpe, Kevin Willis, John Stockton
1996: Allen Iverson, Shareef Abdul-Rahim, Stephon Marbury, Ray Allen, Kobe Bryant, Steve Nash, Jermaine O’Neal, Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Peja Stojakovic

Lets give these young guys a few more years and lets see what happens. One of the biggest reasons why this draft class probably won’t be the best draft class because it doesn’t appear that there is an MJ, Lebron or Kobe, and its really tough to have the best class with out one of the best players.

by TripleThreat on Nov 25, 2008 8:15 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

re: rookies, rookies, rookies

Maybe “best” isn’t the correct heard for this draft class . “Deepest” might be better suited? There are 16 guys averaging 20 minutes a game (I’m counting Oden and Fernandez even though weren’t drafted this year – and not counting Rob Kurz who played 20 minutes in his only appearance for GS)

by redzdeadbabyredzdead on Nov 25, 2008 9:52 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

good for the rook and the clips. they need all the help they can get. i have always enjoyed baron davis and always detested mr. sterling. they also have a good coach. now they need someone to teach them how to play defense, which is how you win.

by nazzbo on Nov 25, 2008 10:39 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

So who won?

Story might be improved by saying whether his team won or lost.

by CelticPride on Nov 25, 2008 10:49 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

no idea how i forgot to throw in the standard "despite the loss" clause

since New Orleans wound up winning by 12…could have sworn I’d written somewhere…good point CelticPride, will be updated shortly…thanks…

-sw

Manuel Aristides Ramirez is the greatest hitter I've ever seen.

by Steve Weinman on Nov 25, 2008 10:59 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Eric Gordon and the Numbers

Some analysts pointed to Gordon’s iffy shooting numbers last year at Indiana. He was an average shooter overall, but shot only 33.7% from beyond the small college arc. All you have to do is look at the kid, though, to know that he has a wealth of talent and potential, no matter what his numbers were. He is clearly a gifted shooter, one of the most entertaining to watch with that smooth stroke that he has. It should be fun to see how good of a player he ends up becoming.

by Toine43 on Nov 25, 2008 3:34 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Analysts, Schmanalysts....

Toine, these so called analysts must not have taken into account that he had by far and way the most tumultuous college season, let alone his freshman year, of any rookie in this year’s class. Besides the Sampson saga, Gordon also played with sprained left wrist. Iffy shooting numbers should be expected.

The fact is, prior to the injury and the Sampson debacle, EJ was considered a top 3 pick with Rose and Beasley. The sky is the limit with his special combination of size, speed, strength and shooting ability.

-Coming from a Pacers fan (and an IU alum)

by b-side on Nov 25, 2008 4:29 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs