After playing in a integrated 63 regular-season videogames over 2019-20 and 2020-21, the greatest difficulty for Gordon was showing his health. He did that by playing in 57 videogames, and it would haveactually been more if not for Houston’s choice to shut down its veterans for the last 7 videogames.
Moreover, if not for the Rockets being plainly out of the playoff race, Gordon possibly would have played both ends of back-to-backs. As it was, Houston erred on the side of upkeep, because grinding out extra wins in 2021-22 did not mean much in their specific scenario.
Though he’s just 6-foot-3, Gordon is a remarkably flexible protector, consideringthat he has the bulk and strength to match up physically with forwards.
On offense, Gordon shot 41.2% on 3-tips, which was the second-highest figure of his whole profession. His 47.5% shooting clip and 61.4% real shooting portion were both career-highs. In brief, he’s healthy.
Eric Gordon can play defense, folks pic.twitter.com/GLbpg7qzv7
— Itamar (@Itamar_17_10) February 2, 2022
So, with a 33-year-old Gordon playing so well and the restoring Rockets (20-62) saddled with the NBA’s worst record, why wasn’t he dealt at the February trade duedate? Historically, he’s the type of wise, savvy veteran that frequently is moved from a restoring group to a competitor.
From the viewpoint of basic supervisor Rafael Stone, it has a lot to do with Gordon’s worth and impact to moreyouthful colleagues like Kevin Porter Jr. and Jalen Green. “He’s purchased in and desires to be a part of it,” Stone stated of Gordon’s technique to Houston’s present restore.
Rafael Stone stated he talks one on one with Eric Gordon continuously and Eric desires to stay in Houston and likes this group of people. “He feels excellent about the procedure. He likes where we’re at.”
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) February 11, 2022
To numerous on the outside, giventhat Gordon is mostlikely to be previous his prime when the Rockets are next prepared to compete, it makes sense to merely trade him now for the finest possible return. After all, keeping him around dangers an injury or age