Gordon goes on the attack to end slump
LOS ANGELES — Though Eric Gordon has reached the point in his career that a few games, or even weeks, misfiring should not shake his confidence, he does keep a pair of reminders at home should he need a pick-me-up.
But Gordon has not glanced at those bookend trophies, as NBA Sixth Man of the Year and 3-point champion. He said there was no need for the confidence boost.
The Rockets guard had noticed the shots that had treated him so well began betraying him as soon as he returned to last season’s bench role when Chris Paul moved into the starting lineup. He did not even consider the change in his shooting in his past six games off the bench to be a coincidence of the timing. But he also said he knew what to do about it.
“I’m going to play well as a sixth man,” Gordon said. “But you’re playing well as a starter. Now, you have to adapt to Chris and James (Harden) coming off the bench. It took an adjustment more than having a bad shoot-
ing slump.
“I never worry about it. Especially when you’re winning, it makes it easier not to worry about it. Now, I think I know what I need to do. I’m going to play a full game and not just be a catch-and-shoot guy. I’m going to play more of a complete game.”
Gordon began to turn things around Sunday against the Los Angeles Lakers, scoring 20 of his 22 points in the first half, kick-starting the Rockets when they struggled early with a run of drives to the rim. In his previous six games, he had averaged 11.2 points on 31.4 percent shooting.
Gordon was averaging 22 points per game as a starter, making 35.6 percent of his 3s. He has averaged 14.4 points on 18.9 percent 3-point shooting since.
Driving a key factor
Against the Lakers, he still missed from deep, making two of nine 3-pointers. But he took eight shots off drives, more than double his average, to not only have his best scoring game since returning to the second unit but indicate a way to find his shooting touch, too.
“The ball came to me more, and I just kept on attacking and attacking,” Gordon said. “It started opening up for me. It opened up for our team.
“When I started coming off the bench, the ball was a little more out of my hands. I became more of a catch-and-shoot guy. As long as we get into transition, I can have a really good game. I can get it to the basket. It’s tough to catch and shoot over a hand all the time. When I get a couple easy baskets, I pretty much know I’m going to have a good game. I have to keep attacking early and get some (shots) to fall.”
Though Gordon came off the bench last season, his role is different now. Last season, Pat Beverley might have brought the ball up for the second unit, but he often would then return to the corner while Gordon handled the ball. With Paul out, Gordon held down his spot in the rotation, exiting the game midway through the first and third quarters and then replacing Harden in the lineup and in the role initiating the offense.
Since Paul’s return, coach Mike D’Antoni has staggered his point guards’ playing time, keeping one on the court at all times. That means Gordon has been at off guard next to Paul and Harden at all times. That can generate open looks, but Gordon has had to look for his opportunities to handle the ball and find shots for himself off the dribble, chances not as readily available as when he handled the ball more often.
Coach not worried
Still, Gordon has taken roughly the same number of shots on drives — 3.5 per game — since he has been coming off the bench as he had when he was starting, and more than he took last season.
“He’s going to fine,” D’Antoni said. “I’m not worried about Eric. He’s going to be good. The good thing about his game is he does not rely only on the 3. He can go to the basket. He’s hard to guard. If they switch, he can go.”
Gordon insisted he has not worried either. But if he did, there are a pair of trophies at home to greet him.
“They’re right in the living room,” he said, “right where you can see them.”