Eric Gordon's Returns To Indy Have Not Gone As Planned

It's been said that you can always go home again, but when you are a professional athlete, playing in front of your friends and family can be quite the burden.

As a standout at North Central High School, Clippers guard Eric Gordon played himself into one of the best players the city of Indianapolis has ever produced.  During his senior season in which he led North Central to the Indiana 4A championship game, Gordon averaged 29 points and six rebounds a game on his way to earning Mr. Basketball honors as the top prep player in Indiana.   
 
In a state where basketball is king, Gordon became part of the state's basketball royalty.

foxsportswest.com: Gordon No Homecoming King

Blake Griffin Is Ready To Go

I went to the Clippers practice facility earlier this week to do a 1-on-1 interview with Blake Griffin--a.k.a the #1 question mark going into the Clippers upcoming season.

Griffin's road to recovery from mid-season knee surgery has been pretty much right on-course since he woke up from the anesthesia.  He's been running for months.  He took part in the team's Summer League practices, although he did not play in any of the games.  Basically, everything pointed to him being 100% in time for the start of training camp at the end of this month.

Well, I have news for you after witnessing some pickup games the other day.  If Blake Griffin is not 100% recovered from that knee injury right now, then I don't know what 100% looks like.

Not only was he running with a limp or a brace, but the explosion we all witnessed during his two years at Oklahoma and in those handful of preseason games last year seems to be the same as it was before the surgery.  I didn't see all of the pickup games, but he had at least 4 rim-shattering dunks while I was there, including one that started as face-up post on DeAndre Jordan and ended with a face-at-rim-level, one-handed punch.  DeAndre may still be looking for Blake after getting shook with that spin move.

During my interview with Griffin after the pickup games, we discussed a number of topics relative to him personally and the team as a whole.  You can watch parts of that interview in the video section on foxsportswest.com.

One of the subjects I was most interested in was what Griffin thought of his new head coach.  He told me that he actually knew more about Vinny Del Negro as a player rather than a coach--makes sense considering Del Negro played 12 NBA seasons while coaching for only two years in Chicago.

Griffin said that three early impressions of Del Negro stand out to him before training camp has even started.  1) He puts a high priority on player development.  2) He wants the team to get out and run.  3) He doesn't "over coach" (in other words, Del Negro may be the complete opposite of Mike Dunleavy).

So with Griffin fully healthy and Del Negro making quite the first impression on the franchise player, everything points towards a good start to training camp--something the team hasn't had since 2005 (Sam Cassell's first year with the team).  However, even with that being said, the Clippers still have several other question marks to answer as training camp and the season progress, including but not limited to, 1) How will Baron Davis fit in with the new coach and system?  2) How did the Team USA experience affect Eric Gordon?  3)  Can Chris Kaman back up his All-Star season with another one?

We should start to find out some of those answers when training camp opens September 28th.

USA Today: Eric Gordon's game more worldly entering NBA season

By J. Michael Falgoust, USA TODAY

Los Angeles Clippers guard Eric Gordon walked off with more than his first gold medal — and the first for USA Basketball in the world championships since 1994 — this month.

"I think I'll be able to bring more leadership (to the Clippers). I tried to get better playing with guys who are better players," Gordon says. "You have to learn off that vibe."

USA Today:   Eric Gordon's game more worldly entering NBA season

National Anthem Makes Impression On Eric Gordon

 
--Listening to song while wearing a gold medal around his neck makes Clippers star appreciative of what he represents--

by Jeff Rabjohns
Indianapolis Star

The moment likely will have a lasting impact for Eric Gordon.

On Sunday, instead of hearing the national anthem play before a game, he heard it while wearing "USA" on his uniform with a gold medal hanging around his neck.

"It makes you more appreciative of your country and what you really represent," Gordon said Tuesday after returning from Turkey, where he helped the U.S. win the FIBA world basketball championship for the first time since 1994.


Indianapolis Star:  Anthem makes impression on Gordon

NBA STARS JORDAN FARMAR AND ERIC GORDON GET NEW JOBS AT OFFICIAL NBA SHOP AT CHAMPS SPORTS

 
WHAT:           Los Angeles Lakers guard Jordan Farmar and Los Angeles Clippers guard Eric Gordon will help excite LA basketball fans for the all-new Official NBA Shop at Champs Sports at Northridge Fashion Center in Northridge.

The public is invited, and fans will have the chance to shop with Jordan and Eric and have them help pick out adidas NBA gear. They will also spend time working behind the register and meeting fans. 

Jordan and Eric will switch out of their NBA uniforms to dawn the official uniform of a Champs Sports employee and go to work for fans.  

Fans that attend will also have the opportunity to enter raffles to win signed adidas NBA gear, Champs Sports gift cards and other prizes.  



WHEN:           Tuesday, April 6

                                6-7 PM

                               



WHERE:        Champs Sports @ Northridge Fashion Center

9301 Tampa Avenue, Space 39

Northridge, CA 91324

Eric Gordon Named To NBA All-Rooke Second Team

Despite finishing 3rd among all rookies in scoring, Eric Gordon did not make the NBA All-Rookie First Team. Instead, the Clippers guard had to settle for Second Team honors, as if that is something to be ashamed of.

Gordon averaged 16 points a game for LA, while shooting 46% from the field and 39% from 3-point range. I thought there would be a chance that he would make the first team considering his consistent production, but there was quite a bit of competition this season among a strong rookie class.

Chicago's Derrick Rose and Memphis' OJ Mayo were unanimous selections to the First Team.

NBA Names All-Rookie Teams

Eric Gordon Named Western Conference Player of the Month

No real surprise here, but still a notable accomplishment for the young rookie. Here's the official release from the Clippers.

Gordon Ranked First Among All Rookies in January with 21.9 Points per Game

Los Angeles Clippers’ guard Eric Gordon was named the Western Conference T-Mobile Rookie of the Month for games played in January.

Gordon, who edged out Minnesota’s Kevin Love for Western Conference Rookie of the Month, ranked first among rookies in scoring for the month (21.9 ppg), fourth in assists (4.1 apg) and first in minutes (41.1 mpg). In addition, the first-year guard led all Western Conference rookies in free throw percentage (.907 %). Gordon scored a career-high 41 points (13-28 FG, 6-6 FT) vs. the Thunder on Jan. 23, the most points ever scored by a Clippers rookie, besting Al Thornton’s 39-point performance on March 29, 2008.

Gordon becomes the first Clippers rookie since Shaun Livingston in April, 2005 to earn NBA Rookie of the Month honors.

To celebrate Gordon’s big month, Clipper fans will receive 10 percent off of all Eric Gordon t-shirts and jerseys for 10 days (Feb. 2 through Feb. 12) at ClippersStore.com.

Here is a recap of Gordon’s month:

Eric Gordon, L.A. Clippers
Jan. 4 vs. Detroit: Tallied 31 points, two rebounds and three assists in an 88-87 loss to the Pistons

Jan. 6 @ Dallas: Scored 32 points and added six assists in a 107- 102 loss to the Mavericks

Jan. 23 vs. Oklahoma City: Posted 41 points, two rebounds and four assists in the Clippers’ 107-104 win over the Thunder

Jan. 30 @ Cleveland: Registered 27 points, seven assists and two steals in a 112-95 loss to the Cavaliers

In support of a season-long effort to better the various youth communities in Phoenix, the Host City of NBA All-Star 2009, T-Mobile will donate $20 per point scored on behalf of the players named the T-Mobile Rookies of the Month. For the month of January, T-Mobile will donate $7020 on behalf of the Clippers’ Eric Gordon.

Other nominees for the Western Conference T-Mobile Rookies of the Month were Memphis’ O.J. Mayo and Marc Gasol, Minnesota’s Kevin Love, Oklahoma City’s Russell Westbrook, Portland’s Greg Oden and Sacramento’s Jason Thompson.

THORNTON AND GORDON TO REPRESENT CLIPPERS AT ALL-STAR WEEKEND

Second Year Forward Al Thornton And Rookie Guard Eric Gordon Selected To Play In 2009 T-Mobile Rookie Challenge And Youth Jam At NBA All-Star 2009

Los Angeles Clippers' second year forward Al Thornton and rookie guard Eric Gordon lead a list of 18 players selected for the 2009 T-Mobile Rookie Challenge & Youth Jam to be held on Friday, February 13th in Phoenix during NBA All-Star 2009, the NBA announced today.

Averaging 17.4 points and 5.3 rebounds per game, Thornton currently ranks second in the NBA amongst second year players in scoring. Gordon is currently ranked fourth among all rookies in scoring, averaging 13.7 points per game, however in 13 games played in January, Gordon has averaged a rookie high 21.5 points in 41.2 minutes played per game.

The participants in the T-Mobile Rookie Challenge & Youth Jam were selected by the NBA's assistant coaches, with each team submitting one ballot. For the first time in the game's history, two current NBA players, All-Star starters Dwight Howard of the Orlando Magic and Dwyane Wade of the Miami Heat --veterans of the T-Mobile Rookie Challenge and part of T-Mobile's "All-Star Faves" -- will serve on the coaching staffs, Howard for the Sophomores and Wade for the Rookies. The head coaches for the Rookie and Sophomore teams will be the lead assistants from the 2009 NBA All-Star Game coaching staffs.

Guard Kevin Durant and forward Jeff Green of the Oklahoma City Thunder join Thornton on the Sophomore team, which also includes Atlanta Hawks forward/center Al Horford, Philadelphia 76ers forward Thaddeus Young, New York Knicks forward Wilson Chandler, Detroit Pistons guard Rodney Stuckey and a pair of teammates from the Houston Rockets' guard Aaron Brooks and forward Luis Scola.

Joining Gordon on the Rookie team are Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose, guard O.J. Mayo and center Marc Gasol from the Memphis Grizzlies and center Greg Oden and guard Rudy Fernandez from the Portland Trail Blazers. Thunder guard Russell Westbrook, Heat forward Michael Beasley and New Jersey Nets center Brook Lopez round out the Rookie team.

The T-Mobile Rookie Challenge & Youth Jam will be televised live nationally on TNT at 9 p.m. ET and also will be broadcast live on ESPN Radio, while NBA.com will make live audio available to fans in multiple languages. Fans tuning in to TNT will also get a special treat, as NBA All-Star starter LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers, a participant in the 2004 and 2005 T-Mobile Rookie Challenge, will join Kevin Harlan, Kenny Smith and Craig Sager as part of TNT's broadcast as an analyst.

As title partner of the Rookie Challenge and overall NBA Rookie Program, T-Mobile has teamed up with the NBA and NBA Cares to create the T-Mobile Rookie Challenge & Youth Jam, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Phoenix students to experience NBA All-Star 2009. By successfully completing fitness, nutrition, and community service requirements, more than 3,500 "T-Mobile Stick Together All-Stars," ages 11-15, from participating school districts in Phoenix will watch the game from the best seats in the house at US Airways Arena.

As a new element to the T-Mobile Rookie Challenge & Youth Jam, fans had the unique opportunity to design the official jerseys worn by the Rookie and Sophomore teams. Thousands of fans registered for the NBA LIVE Jersey Creator Contest hosted by EA SPORTS for the chance to win a trip for two to Phoenix, AZ for NBA All-Star 2009. The winning jersey is being produced by adidas, the official uniform and apparel provider for the NBA, and will be worn by all participating Rookie and Sophomore players, marking the first time that a fan designed jersey has ever been worn during an NBA game or event. In past years, Rookies and Sophomores wore their regular team jerseys during the T-Mobile Rookie Challenge & Youth Jam. The winning design was created by 18-year-old Tim Ahmed from East Meadow, Long Island. Ahmed attended East Meadow High School and is currently a first-year student at Baruch College in Manhattan.

In last year's T-Mobile Rookie Challenge & Youth Jam, Cavaliers guard Daniel Gibson earned Most Valuable Player honors, making 11 three-pointers en route to a game-high 33 points, as the Sophomores cruised to a 136-109 victory. Grizzlies forward Rudy Gay added 22 points and Los Angeles Lakers guard Jordan Farmar tallied 17 points and 11 assists. Durant, then of the Seattle SuperSonics, led the Rookies with 23 points.

The contest began its current format pitting the Rookies against the Sophomores in 2000 and the Sophomores hold a 7-2 advantage over the first-year players. The game will be played in two 20-minute halves. Individual foul totals will be kept, but a player cannot foul out. A team will be in the penalty situation after 10 team fouls or after the second foul in the final two minutes of each half. In the event of a tie game, there will be a two-minute overtime to determine the winner. The clock will stop after each successful field goal in the last minute of each half.

T-Mobile will provide basketball fans with the opportunity to have their vote count toward selecting the MVP of the T-Mobile Rookie Challenge & Youth Jam by voting on NBA.com or via SMS on mobile phones during the second half of the game.

The NBA All-Star Game on Sunday, Feb. 15, will air live on TNT and ESPN Radio beginning at 8 p.m. EST. The game will also be telecast in over 200 countries and territories in more than 40 languages and broadcast on NBA.com.

NBA All-Star brings together the top NBA players and performers for a week of competition, community service and world-class entertainment. Among the many other exciting All-Star events are Sprite Slam Dunk, Foot Locker Three-Point Shootout, PlayStation Skills Challenge, Haier Shooting Stars and NBA All-Star Jam Session presented by adidas.

Building upon its already strong appeal to the nation's youth and as Official Partner of the NBA, T-Mobile is showcasing the NBA's youngest players -- the Rookies -- through the T-Mobile Rookie Program. Highlights include the T-Mobile Rookie Challenge & Youth Jam, an All-Star competition between NBA rookies and second-year players, and rookie awards presentations including the T-Mobile Rookie of the Month and T-Mobile Rookie of the Year. To learn more about T-Mobile's partnership with the NBA, visit www.t-mobile.com/nba.

Azubuike Almost A Lock To Be A Clipper

In the wake of what possibly could have turned into the worst off-season in the history of the team, the Clippers seem to be responding quite well. First, they basically robbed Denver for Marcus Camby, and now it appears that Kelenna Azubuike will wear red, white and blue next season.

My friend Brad Turner of the Riverside Press-Enterprise is reporting that two NBA sources believe the Warriors will not match the 3-year, $9.3 million dollar offer sheet Azubuike signed with the Clippers. It seems as though the price is too high now that Golden State has signed Corey Maggette, Ronny Turiaf and Maurice Evans, not to mention the trade for Marcus Williams from the Nets.

So with a potential starting lineup of Baron Davis, Cuttino Mobley, Al Thornton, Marcus Camby and Chris Kaman and a bench consisting of Tim Thomas, Brevin Knight, Eric Gordon and Azubuike, the Clippers might not be as bad as first believed.