Houston Rockets: Eric Gordon’s sharp comments are right on target
The Houston Rockets are just four losses away from last season’s total. What’s going on? Eric Gordon had some sharp comments about it, what did he say?
The Houston Rockets free fall into the oblivion of mediocrity has been a tough pill to swallow in this season thus far. When we think the team has turned a corner, another setback occurs to where they’re held back. It’s actually quite a surprising notion because the majority of the team that was present last season is still on the roster.
Could Trevor Ariza and Luc Mbah a Moute have made that much of a difference in the team’s performance? I seriously doubt it but I think the windfall of cash that some of these players received allowed them to be a bit more comfortable but losing the sight what ultimately matters — winning basketball games.
I’m not saying that none of our players cares about the betterment of the team but you have think that with Chris Paul‘s four-year, $160 million deal, Clint Capela‘s five-year, $90 million pact and James Harden‘s four-year, $228 million extension coming online effective next season, these guys can sleep comfortably at night being even more financially secure.
This team has lost its identity and the willpower to go out and steamroll the competition as they did last season.
The competitive edge that I’ve grown to love as this team has been assembled over the years is missing and they’ve got a find a way to bring it back. It’s far from being too late for the Houston Rockets to make a comeback and just like they made history with last season’s run they can do the same with a damn-near impeccable turnaround.
But speaking of strong opinions, Eric Gordon talked with Kelly Iko of The Athletic in regard to his displeasure of how things are going with the team.
Here’s the sentiments that he expressed:
"“I’m just not having fun man,” Gordon said. “I’m just not. This (stinks). Even the times where I have good games. We’re just not using some guys the right way. Are we gonna make the right sacrifices? Do we have the right attitude? Last year was the best year I’ve ever had being a part of a team. We just never had a bad moment.”"
Gordon’s comments are right on target yet shocking to hear that he made them publicly. To be honest, somebody had to say this and I certainly wish that it was either Paul and Harden as they’re the leaders of this team.
But for our star 6th Man to go on the record and let the world know about the dysfunction that’s going on with this team is a true wake-up call and we can all hope that they can take heed to it.
Could Gordon’s unhappiness be the framework for Daryl Morey to start thinking about packaging him in a trade? I doubt it to a tee but you can blame the guy for being forthright with the situation.
Let’s put things in perspective of how badly this team has slid.
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Offensive Efficiency (points per 100 possessions)
2017-18: 112.2 (2nd)
2018-19: 108.2 (11th)
Defensive Efficiency (points per 100 possessions)
2017-18: 103.8 (6th)
2018-19: 109.5 (26th)
Team three-point shooting percentage:
2017-18: 36.7 (12th)
2018-19: 33.8 (24th)
As you can see, although the offense hasn’t taken too much of a drop-off, the defense as well as their prolific three-point shooting has done so in dramatic fashion.
If this team is not hitting their threes and not being committed enough to defense, then what’s the point because the Golden State Warriors continue to make that hallmark and it’s why they’re the champs.
It’s simple — defense wins championships and as bad as the 2010-11 Dallas Mavericks were at it, they even knuckled, put the clamps down and secured an NBA title.
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So is it too late for the Houston Rockets to make nice surge before the season is out? Absolutely not and they can get back in the fray of the lower, mid-seeds of the Western Conference as they’re only 5.5 games behind the leader, the Denver Nuggets, with a 17-8 record.
Let’s just hope for the best and hope that Gordon’s platitude can knock some fire under the rears so that way they get into gear!