The Starting Lineup: Eric Gordon Gets It Done

 

  • Clearly he tripped over Tolliver’s foot, but that doesn’t make it any less embarrassing.
  • Who saw DeMarcus Cousins finish off the Lakers with his hustle?  That was a great thing to see from a guy who’s biggest problems have been with his attitude and conditioning.  For those of you who didn’t see it, it went a little something like this: up by two possessions with 2:01 to play, Cousins ripped a defensive rebound between a couple of Lakers.  Artest grabbed his arm, and the officials called a foul.  Somehow this landed Chuck Hayes at the freethrow line.  Chuck bricked the second of two, of course, but Cousins powered his way to the loose ball and threw it off of Pau Gasol’s leg.  Out of bounds it went, Kings ball.  Once again the Lakers committed a foul, and the second shot was missed.  This time Cousins wasn’t able to get to the loose ball, but only because Pau Gasol held him before Matt Barnes threw him to the floor.  Cousins himself went to the line this time, and he too missed the second shot.  Although he wouldn’t get the Kings the ball back this time, he dove to the floor in an attempt to retrieve his own miss and throw it off of Derek Fisher before sliding across the sideline.  No matter; his hard work had already turned a five-point game into an eight-point game.  He worked the crowd, collaborated with Pau Gasol on a double tech, and watched the Kings wrap it up from the sideline. 
  • Kobe Bryant appeared to be in a great deal of pain as a trainer worked on his wrist late in last night’s defeat.  He hasn’t shot particularly well in either of LA’s first two games, and I can’t help but wonder how much this injury is effecting him.  During the loss to the Bulls a commentator mentioned that the torn ligament in his wrist was responsible for holding two bones in place.  The good news for Bryant is that the bones haven’t shifted yet.  The bad news is that it’s still a possibility if he’s hit in the right spot.  I’m thinking his wrist will probably get smacked a hundred times this season.  Kobe has played through every ache and pain in the book, but this seems like an injury that could prove to be troublesome.
  • I told you Eric Gordon is the truth…

  • That’s the third-best shooting guard in the NBA right there scoring 2 of his 20.  Those that pay attention will come to find out that while Gordon may not be Chris Paul, he’s a more-than-reliable late-game option himself.  If not for the trade it probably would’ve been him closing out the Warriors on ESPN and Cp3 defeating the Suns in front of five or six people.  My point: take notice of Eric Gordon, folks.  He’s the fourth All-Star caliber player from that ’08 draft class. 
  • Speaking of All-Stars drafted in ’08, Russell Westbrook had the most unimpressive 28/6/6 that I’ve ever seen last night against the T-Wolves.  He got off to a really good start, but as the game progressed he took a ton of bad shots and committed 7 turnovers.  His mental breakdowns began when he became intent on showing JJ Barea who’s boss.  In what appeared to me to be a dick-head-ish display of physical supremecy, Westbrook repeatedly lowered his shoulder into Barea.  The officials let it go a few times before they finally called him for his first of many offensive fouls.  Despite the blatant nature of the charges, Westbrook complained.  He also tried to retaliate by dribbling up the floor and pulling up for three on OKC’s next possession.  Needless to say, that one was an airball.  His poor decisions helped the Wolves go on an 8-0 run and continued to hurt the Thunder throughout the game.  Off the top of my head, he committed at least two more unnecessary charging fouls, took a turnaround jumper over the seven-foot Anthony Randolph with lots of time on the shot clock, and went 1-5 in the final five minutes.  The most troubling part, at least to me, was the arrogance he displayed while doing all of this.  This kid is clueless.  A great talent with a world of potential, but clueless nonetheless.  It’s frustrating to watch because he could’ve easily posted the same numbers on five fewer shots with half the TOs.  The Thunder should’ve won this game by more than four points, and Scott Brooks really needs to do something about this situation before it costs his team dearly in the playoffs… again.
  • Boris Diaw was surprisingly active for a guy who appears to be carrying about 20 extra pounds.  He looked even heavier than usual, but the weight didn’t keep him from flirting with a triple-double as he scored 9 points, grabbed 11 boards, dished 9 assists, and blocked a pair of shots in a 96-95 Bobcats victory.  Stephen Jackson fouled out of this game in just 17 minutes.  Kemba Walker scored 13 points on 7-7 from the stripe (a few of those FTs were big ones).
  • Remember Sean Williams?  The one from Boston College… a former New Jersey Net who spent his rookie season catching lobs from Jason Kidd?  Well he’s back in the league with the Dallas Mavericks, and he got to play last night because the Mavs got beaten so badly by the Nuggets.  He went 4-4 for 12 points in just 11 minutes, but it took so much out of him that he threw up on the bench.  I sh!t you not

  • I’d understand if he wasn’t in NBA shape just yet, but to be in such poor condition that you have to ask to be removed from the game so you can throw up after just 11 minutes?  Your average rec league player is in better shape than that.  I hope Williams plans to hit the treadmill and take this opportunity seriously.  He’s got lots of ability and it would be a shame to see it wasted.  He’s also got an excellent afro.
  • The New Jersey Nets have four players named “Williams.”  None of them threw up on the bench, but a couple of them may make Nets fans want to.  Anyway, there’s obviously Deron, and then there’s Shelden, Shawne, and Jordan.  This is the first team in NBA history to roster four players with the same last name for a game.  I kind of want to listen to the Nets on the radio.  Williams advances the ball to Williams… Williams drives to the basket and finds Williams for the score!  Beautiful play by Williams!  That makes it 143-56; Miami in the lead with 7 minutes to go.
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2 Responses to The Starting Lineup: Eric Gordon Gets It Done

  1. Marshall says:

    Nice article, but I’d say that Eric Gordon is the 4th best SG in the league right now behind Kobe, D-Wade, and Monta Ellis. Also, Marcus Thornton is a beast! I have high expectations for that guy. Keep up the good work on your blog.

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