The Pelicans Keys to Their Playoff Push

Oct 6, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans guard

(10) drives the ball past Atlanta Hawks guard

(12) during the second half at Philips Arena. The Hawks defeated the Pelicans 93-87. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

5. The Eric Gordon of the Clippers MUST Arrive

When New Orleans was forced to trade Chris Paul, they received Al-Farouq Aminu, Chris Kaman, the pick that landed Austin Rivers, and the Clippers’ rising star Eric Gordon.

During the 2010-2011 season, Gordon made sure everyone in the league knew he had arrived. He posted 22.3 points, 4.4 assists and 3 rebounds per game, along with 45% shooting from the field and 36% from three point range. Paul was obviously the most talented player involved in the deal, but getting a 22 year old who was already producing at a high level in return was acceptable.

Sadly, this player never got a chance in New Orleans. After hitting a game winner against Phoenix in his first game as a Hornet Gordon was plagued with nagging knee injuries, forcing him to miss a considerable amount of the next two seasons.

Last season, Eric got to play 64 games, more than he had played in the previous two years combined. This version of Gordon was definitely serviceable. He shot 39% from behind the arc, a career high, but his ability to finish around the rim faltered a bit due to some of his lost explosiveness.

This season started out rough for a finally healthy Gordon when another freak injury took him down. He tore his labrum in a collision with Jazz guard Alec Burks in the 12th game of the season.

Nov 22, 2014; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; New Orleans Pelicans guard Eric Gordon (10) hurts his shoulder during the second quarter and would leave the game against the Utah Jazz at EnergySolutions Arena. Mandatory Credit: Chris Nicoll-USA TODAY Sports

In the four games before his injury, Gordon was starting to play the high quality basketball New Orleans had been expecting since his arrival. He was shooting 20-35 (57%) from the floor and 10-15 (67%) from three, while also playing more physically overall.

I argue that Eric Gordon’s knees, while not what they once were, are healthy enough for Gordon to produce at a high level again. I know that the four games are a small sample size, but THAT is the player that I think Gordon still is.

And with THAT Eric Gordon complimenting the rest of the Pelicans, along with the accomplishment of the other four points, New Orleans WILL find themselves playing playoff basketball.