I’m not going to mouth platitudes to you like “That’s what a real championship contender looks like” because that isn’t. The Spurs are a contender, but for this game they combined their ridiculous depth and talent with just one of those nights that happen to every team a few times each season. (Remember the Hornets dismantling the Warriors a few weeks ago?) A special night for the Spurs, and I’m so glad I had the volume way down while Sean Elliot was talking. That guy is the biggest chump in sportscasting.
The Gordon Report:
Phenomenal game by Eric Gordon. He took a few dumb threes and had a couple bad turnovers, but those things were so heavily outweighed by his efficient scoring and quick hands on defense that it didn’t matter.
When Gordon explodes to the hoop, he reminds me extremely strongly of Dwayne Wade. He has the same perfectly upright upper body, churning legs, left-to-right crossover, and mastery of the sidestep around defenders. On the attack, Gordon is amazing.
Defensively, he got lost a half-dozen times out there and lost his guy, but he’s played four guys, and has yet to get any consistent time with any set of teammates. His one-on-one defense is pretty solid.
Ball-handling, Gordon is good but not spectacular. Jack has better handles than him, and I think he would benefit from having a point guard next to him who can handle pressure and get him the ball in position to attack.
The Rest:
- It’s not often the Hornets earn 35 free throws and shoot better than 40% from three. If both happen, they usually win. They did that tonight, kept their turnovers down to a reasonable 14, and still lost. Tells you how amazing a night the Spurs were having, driving, dishing and sinking every shot they got.
- Carl Landry and Eric Gordon put on display every positive reason you’d want them on your team at night. 44 points on 27 shots due to 18 free throw attempts. That is the sort of offensive production you can build a defense around.
- You know – Xavier Henry looks a lot like Gordon out there at times. No where near as consistently aggressive, but you can see the similarities in their game.
- The Hornets starting front court collected two rebounds. Yeah, Smith left after hurting himself on a hustle play, but in 65 combined minutes, the Hornets got 2 rebounds from Kaman, Smith and Ariza. That’s brutal.
Tomorrow night is the big game. Wolves v Hornets. Go Hornets!
13 responses to “The Spurs dominate the Hornets”
Eric Gordon. Just wow. Not sure how you can say jack has better handles, this dude is lighting quick with the ball. We need to lock this dude up ASAP. And I love how he kept playing hard in garbage minutes.
Because Jack does have a better handle. Gordon had a few problems here and there when he was pressured before he went into attack mode. Once he got his head of steam going, though, he was pretty hard to stop.
Exploding towards the hoop with two or three dribbles is a very different skill than bringing the ball up under pressure and/or having to run an offense while keeping your dribble alive.
I know all the tankers love this lost so I will be optimistic and say good showing of our future tonight. If we don’t get the first pick, trade Ariza, draft MKG, and Rivers. Keep Kaman cause his chemistry with Gordon helps this team. We will now have a very strong starting five in Rivers, Gordon, MKG, Landry, and Kaman. Then add to our bench and watch our team do wonders next year.
With you on MKG. Rivers is not a PG. Neither is Gordon.
So sick of hearing about Austin Rivers on this site. We should get Kendall Marshall with the Twolves pick if he’s there. He’s far and away the best PG in this draft, and I feel like his entry into it completely changes our approach because we could really use him.
don’t forget that Landry’s contract expires at the end of this year. Also, it’s worth noting that Monty just called him out a few games ago for not playing.. if Monty was just trying to get him to play, mission accomplished, but if he doesn’t want Landry, then I don’t expect him to be in a NO jersey next year.
Why can’t Washington or Charlotte lose? looks like we are destined to finish third. Looks like Gordon could be worthy of a max contract, I just hope that knee is fine.
*third last
“A special night for the Spurs, and I’m so glad I had the volume way down while Sean Elliot was talking. That guy is the biggest chump in sportscasting.”
Clyde Drexler would like a word with you
The Spurs team is excellent. It is much better than ours. Therefore, they beat us.
I keep saying this we need to Trade Ariza for some picks and Start Xavier at SF he fits the mold and him and Gordon would be Lethal!!!!!!
Landry and Gordon are great on offense together!!
I don’t think anything Gordon has done in these two games have changed anyway the front office should view EJ. If you are fimiliar with Eric you know this is what he gives you. It’s his ability to stay healthy and his desire to be here that’s the biggest questions. I see a situtation where Eric will sign a “Kevin Love” type deal. Something like a 2-3 year deal worth 25-30million. So he can get his money, but still can be a UFA right in the middle of his prime years.