Despite pleas from Eric Gordon, the New Orleans Hornets have matched his four-year, $58 million contract offer from the Phoenix Suns. Unless something develops that I can't foresee, it doesn't look like the Hornets will be trading Gordon. Time will tell if Hornets' fans can forgive the ridiculous things Eric Gordon has said in recent weeks.
Eric Gordon
I don't think people in New Orleans need a history lesson from me to remind them of what Eric Gordon said during his flirtation with the Suns. If Gordon expected fans and the Hornets organization to sympathize with him, he needs a new PR director. The last thing anyone wants to hear is an NBA star complaining about earning $58 million.
Astute observers may say that Drew Brees held out for a lot more money than Eric Gordon did. But there's a big difference. At no point did Drew Brees ever talk about preferring to play with any team other than the New Orleans Saints. It was listening to Eric Gordon gush about the Phoenix Suns that aggravated Hornets' fans the most.
I had previously written that I wanted no part of Eric Gordon in a Hornets' uniform. I was worried that he wouldn't give maximum effort for a team he didn't want to play for and I feared that he could be a negative influence on Anthony Davis and Austin Rivers. Now that the Hornets have matched the Suns' offer, I will just have to trust their judgment.
The trading of Jarrett Jack and the sign-and-trade to acquire Ryan Anderson should prove two things to Eric Gordon. First, New Orleans is committed to winning now by bringing in Anderson, who was the 2012 NBA Most Improved Player. Also, it looks like Rivers will be moving to point guard which frees up Eric Gordon to play shooting guard.
New Orleans fan reaction
I've got to believe Eric Gordon will hear more boos in New Orleans next season than he will on the road. However, although I never had the feeling that Gordon was happy with the Hornets last year, he played well when he was on the floor. If Eric Gordon plays well for the Hornets, the boos in New Orleans will turn to cheers by December.
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.
Source
Brett Martel, "Hornets match Suns offer and retain Gordon," yahoo.com
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