Eric Gordon Relying Upon Rockets Experience To Help Clippers Win: 'I Know What I Can Do'
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HOUSTON — Eric Gordon made his official debut for the Los Angeles Clippers — again.
Tuesday night, Gordon came off the bench and recorded seven points, three rebounds and three assists to help the Clippers take a 134-124 victory over the Golden State Warriors inside Crypto.com Arena.
It marked Gordon's first game after his seven-year tenure ended with the Houston Rockets Thursday afternoon. But it also marked the end of a three-year cycle of trade rumors that surrounded Gordon since the start of Houston's rebuild in 2021.
He described his reunion with the Clippers as a "situation I always wanted to be in." A situation to have another opportunity to compete for a championship.
"[Rumors] have been floating around for the last few years because I was the only veteran on the team," Gordon said. "It was an odd situation when you see that they are rebuilding. I understood it. But it is always good to be in this kind of situation when you have a chance to do something special."
With the exception of Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, Gordon has the most experience contributing to a championship-contending team.
His experience comes after helping the Rockets make a handful of deep playoff runs, which includes coming one game short of the 2018 NBA Finals. Houston fell 4-3 in the Western Conference Finals to the Golden State Warriors.
Gordon's most significant experience will be his ability to fit next to George and Leonard as a pair of high-usage players.
He developed the background of thriving next to ball-dominant players after years alongside James Harden, Chris Paul, and Russell Westbrook. Gordon said the key is to make quick decisions and to be ready to shoot at all times.
But when the ball is in his hands, Gordon will rely upon his experience as a secondary floor general. The Clippers do not have a primary point guard on their current roster.
"I know what I can do," Gordon said. "I can space the floor for them and create my own shot. I see that they switch a lot on defense. And I've been doing that for the last seven years, and I guard bigs too.
"I've learned that you have to play a two-way mindset to play offense and defense. And I think I am able to play that."
April 13, 2011, was the last time Gordon played a game for the Clippers. He began his career in 2008 as the seventh pick of the draft.
At the time, the Clippers regarded the Indiana prospect as a cornerstone player who could change the franchise's fortunes. But three years later, Gordon was a part of the blockbuster deal where the Clippers landed Chris Paul from the New Orleans Pelicans in December 2011.
The Clippers no longer hail Gordon as a franchise savior. But Los Angeles expects the 34-year-old veteran to utilize his background to help the Clippers win the Larry O'Brien Trophy in June.
The fondest memories Gordon has playing for the Clippers was being a part of a young team that made improvements each year.
Now, Gordon is ready to bring his career full circle to help bring prominence to the Clippers' franchise.
Gordon played seven seasons in Houston and averaged 15.7 points on 36 percent shooting from behind the arc. He won NBA Sixth Man of the Year honors during his first season in 2017.
You can follow Coty M. Davis on Twitter at @CotyDavis_24
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