First, I want to apologize for not getting to blog or a new episode. I was in the process of moving back home to Indianapolis, Indiana. The home city for your Pacers. It’s as beautiful as ever (rain every other day).
I have constantly said this Pacers team needs a new face to the franchise and possible superstar. Someone who can both contribute on the court and put people in the stands. If more people are in the stands, then the Simons are probably more likely to spend a little more money on players. A player that will do that better than anybody except Derrick Rose or Michael Beasley is Eric Gordon (EJ). You have to take this with a little bit of bias since I did go to school with the guy, but most situations like this I can think from the outside.
EJ will most definitely draw people to Conseco. Being from Indianapolis and attending Indiana, there will be no better player to make Hoosiers excited about Pacers basketball again. Even though this team was worst in the NBA in attendance, it does not mean people in Indiana are no longer Pacers fans. It is purely that they are fed up with the off the court incidents and the lack luster play of the team. If the team starts winning or draws in that star (i.e. EJ) the fans will return. In the late 90s and early 00s, Conseco Fieldhouse was one of the hardest places to play because of the rowdy atmosphere. Now the opposing team is just as likely to have home court advantage on the Pacers home court, a sad thing to see in the heart of basketball. Bringing in Eric Gordon would change that all. People (including me) will come out to see this kid go up against the NBA’s best and see whether he can be the next best combo guard. I attended the Memphis game where Mike Conley played his first game back home in Indianapolis. That arena had many more people than other games against similar quality teams. There were even a group with Conley Memphis jerseys. If an opposing local player can make people come out to the game then just think of what could happen if the fans could actually root for one of their team.
Besides just the attendance factor, EJ would fit very well in this team and give them multiple things they are lacking. He brings quickness, tons of athleticism, and the ability to get to the bucket almost at will. He can shoot the three beyond NBA range, has the strength to finish inside, gets to the free throw line, and (with coaching) could be a solid defender. I understand he would most likely play the 2-guard, a position already deep with talent, but I think they could fit him into the lineup.
I would play him at the point sharing ball handling responsibilities with Dunleavy and Granger. Coming out of High School, EJ was thought of being as possible college point guard prospect but IU needed him to play off the ball for them. This did not allow him to develop as a point guard over the course of the year. At this point he is more cut out to be a combo shooting guard, but there is so much potential and time that becoming a scoring first point guard is not out of the picture. People look at film and see him struggle at the point the few times he played there this past year, see his bad assist-to numbers and automatically write him off as a shooting guard only. These people are ignorant.
The reason he struggled the times he played point was because he hardly ever played there all year. He went from playing off the ball or on the wings to being the starter of the offense. This isn’t exactly an easy transition. This would be similar to a big man used to playing in the low post having to play at the high post and struggling. It is a totally different game and mindset while playing point. It takes a transition period and EJ never got that transition at IU because it was a win now philosophy.
Now to the bad assist and turnover numbers. He averaged 2.4 assists and 3.6 turnovers per game ( a 1.5:1 assist to turnover ratio) Yes it is true that this is what NBA point guards are mostly judged by, but these numbers do not tell the story. This is why I am not a stats guy. The reason he did not average many assists and turned the ball over so much was because he had to taken on a huge role in the offense. He was the go-to guy for the Hoosiers. He had to create shots for others. He had to create shots for himself. He had to win them games. They saw last year that this team was missing a playmaker (and no DJ White is not a playmake in my mind). EJ tried to step up into that role and probably tried to do too much, but it was because no one else would. Bassett did every once in a while and White was the Robin to his Batman, but neither one was “the guy.” When put on an NBA team with plenty of other talented players, he will not have to shoulder the load he did in high school. It will take the pressure off him and most likely open up his game
Many people see this situation and automatically think of the Steve Alford/Reggie Miller situation in 87. You have got to get that out of your mind. This team needs to draft the best available talent and not avoid him because he grew up and played college ball in Indiana. There should not be a superstition or fear of drafting in state players. Yes Steve Alford over Reggie would have been the wrong decision, but I don’t think Eric Gordon over DJ Augustine or Russell Westbrook would.
I think EJ would work perfectly with this team. He could start at the 2-guard right now and develop into a future point guard. This would just mold even more to the run and gun high powered offense that this team is using. Plus, Gordon can play defense when he puts his mind to it. He better put his mind to it all the time and I would feel better, but I think maturation will help that. ESPN ranks him as the 7th best prospect the Draft and has him off the board by the time, but NBADraft.net keeps switching him from 6 or 7 to 12 and back. If he is available at 11 I will be even more disappointed in this organization if they do not draft him. That will be a missed opportunity to catch a guaranteed good player and possible superstar. I think EJ, if available at 6 or 7 would be a worthy candidate to trade up to get. He could be the new and welcome face of this franchise. One that I would love rooting for.
Predictions for Tonight’s games:
Detroit 89
Orlando 78
New Orleans 97
San Antonio 94
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