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Houston Rockets: Eric Gordon’s Campaign For 6th Man

By Bryson Jones

October 26, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Houston Rockets guard Eric Gordon (10) moves the ball up court against the Los Angeles Lakers during the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
October 26, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Houston Rockets guard Eric Gordon (10) moves the ball up court against the Los Angeles Lakers during the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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After 17 games played in the young NBA season, the Houston Rockets are now 11-6 and if the playoffs started today they would be facing the Memphis Grizzlies in the first round.

After 17 games played in the young NBA season, the Houston Rockets are now 11-6 and if the playoffs started today they would be facing the Memphis Grizzlies in the first round.

The acquisitions of forward Ryan Anderson and Eric Gordon from the New Orleans Pelicans have been (after last season’s debacle) a sight for sore eyes.

After starting only eight games this season with nine off the bench, Gordon is my early pick to win the NBA’s sixth man of the year award.

In just 31 minutes of play, the 8th year veteran is averaging 15.5 points off the bench on 41 percent shooting from the field while shooting 38 percent from three.

To put that into perspective Michael Beasley played just 20 games for the Rockets last year, and averaged 12.8 points per game for the Rockets while guys like Trevor Ariza averaged 12.7 and Dwight Howard 13.7 points per game.

To say the Rockets team chemistry and continuity is improved this season, is an understatement.  The biggest improvement to the Rockets roster so far this season is the three point shooting.

After having only one player — Patrick Beverley — shoot 40 percent and above from three-point land last season, the Rockets now have Anderson and Ariza hitting the mark quite easily.

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Harden and Gordon are flirting with 40 percent shooting threshold but are currently in the upper 30s.

Having a guy like Harden with his vision and ball handling ability out there running point guard in an offensive-friendly system with first-year coach Mike D’Antoni, Gordon and the 2016-17 Houston Rockets are hoisting them up at an alarming rate, leading the league in three-point attempts, hoisting about 37 of those per game.

And you don’t have to take my word for it, even Rockets’ general manager Daryl Morey has proclaimed Gordon as a Sixth Man of the Year Candidate shortly after his acquisition.

With his current pace, Morey certainly has a strong argument for the assertion he made so early into the season.

Next: James Harden: New Position, Mindset, A Breath Of Fresh Air

After not having this kind of fire power offensively be it off the bench or in the starting lineup, the Rockets should be happy with Gordon’s play with the bench unit.

A lot of the Rockets success depends on Gordon’s ability to stay healthy and active for this team throughout the season.

No one should be worried about if he can keep this current level of play up, he’s averaged either the same or more through his entire career.

With the season being so young, and there being a lot of other deserving candidates in the NBA the work is not over.

Keep pushing Houston!

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