Eric Gordon's knee
Stop me if you've heard this one before.
As the New Orleans Hornets open training camp, Eric Gordon will be limited due to a sore right knee. Yes, this is the same knee that caused Gordon to miss 57 of the Hornets' 66 games last season. With expectations higher than the old Superdome gondola in New Orleans, I can only hope that Gordon's sore knee is only a minor setback.
Although a knee injury that would cause Eric Gordon to miss significant playing time this year would be a blow to the Hornets' season, of more long-term concern is the huge contract he signed in the offseason. New Orleans matched the four-year, $58 million contract that Gordon signed with the Phoenix Suns.
Even before coming to New Orleans, Eric Gordon had difficulty getting on the floor with the Los Angeles Clippers. Unfortunately, Gordon seems to be the classic injury-prone athlete. Whether he just has the misfortune of suffering an inordinate number of injuries or his current knee ailment is career threatening, the Hornets have to be worried about their investment.
Of course, it could also be true that Eric Gordon's knee is just fine and the Hornets are making an excuse for him to take it easy in the preseason. This plan would actually make a lot of sense as Gordon recovers from last year's right knee surgery. The last thing any Hornets' fan wants is for Gordon or any other player to get hurt in a meaningless game.
New Orleans figures to be shaky at guard throughout the 2012-13 NBA season. There is no reason to believe that the Austin Rivers point guard experiment will be a quick success. If it doesn't work out, Greivis Vasquez and Eric Gordon will somehow need to both the run the offense and make opposing defenses respect the Hornets' perimeter shooting.
It is far too early for NBA fans in New Orleans to start selling their season tickets. Regardless of the condition of Eric Gordon's right knee, it will be a fun Hornets' season if for no other reason than Anthony Davis. But if the Hornets hope to become realistic playoff contenders in the near future, they will need a healthy Eric Gordon.
Patrick Michael was born in New Orleans and currently resides in the Big Easy. A loyal New Orleans NBA fan, Patrick was a diehard New Orleans Jazz fan and now cheers for the Hornets. Patrick was in attendance the night the Hornets were one win away from the Western Conference Finals. Follow Patrick Michael on Twitter at patmichael84.
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