#1 Harden, #2 the rest (2a - CP, 2b - the rest) Also, I see this playing in our favor because I don't see him being scared of any one defender. But all this is to say that it shouldn't fall on EG. It should fall on our stars to get them better looks and in various positions to succeed.
I don’t care about Eric Gordon’s stats against bad teams like the Suns or The Knicks. In big games against legit competition recently like the Thunder and Bucks he’s been a no show. That made me look back at Eric Gordon’s performances in big games in the playoffs since he’s been a rocket. What I found is that behind every James Harden “choke” is a bad Eric Gordon game. 2017 WCSF Game 5: Eric Gordon: 4-13 FG, 1-6 3PT https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/201705090SAS.html 2017 WCSF Game 6: Eric Gordon: 2-9 FG, 2-7 3PT https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/201705110HOU.html 2018 WCF Game 7: Eric Gordon: 9-22 FG 2-12 3PT https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/201805280HOU.html If Eric Gordon is the X-factor for an NBA Championship, history shows that is a hell of a gamble for the Rockets.
yeah this, although it would be more accurate to show his games against the top teams during this season as well. ego isn't the X factor, the idea of the 3rd option is the X factor. ego just isn't a very good 3rd option anymore. harden and Paul can more than handle the 1-2 punch, but who's #3? capela is a finisher, not a playmaker. no one else on the team besides ego can get his own shot. harden, cp3, capela, and tucker are a 50 win team by themselves. add a 3rd scorer and a versatile 3 and D forward and we are back to 60+ wins.
The sample size of that history is way too small to significantly predict the odds of relying on Gordon. A lot of those games aren’t even bad when you look at stats outside of the box score.
Well, first of all, the playoffs are totally different than the regular season, so the Only starts that matter see the playoffs. When the intensity is high and opponents are guarding the perimeter and it’s much harder to get an open look. So, Gordon just needs to play within the offense and not try to force things. When he tries to dribble too much or pass that’s when things get crazy. However, if he plays with in the offense and shoots the open three when it comes to him, or drive to the bucket for a layup, that’s where he excels and helps the team. Without him we wouldn’t even be in this series. Yes, X factor
