Want a full arena? Don't screw up the Davis sweepstakes.
So why are we having an argument that we all need to see “more of” Gordon this season?
Said argument, as I understand it, goes like this: Gordon needs to show he fits in with his teammates (so that his coaches know how to integrate him next year), needs to prove that he’s bought in completely (to who I don’t know), and needs to build enthusiasm among fans for next year.
The problem is none of that is remotely true, and it makes all of us sound like idiots.
Firstly, it’s a joke that his coaches wouldn’t know how to build a system around him. I’ve seen multiple instances of an NBA team changing its identity on a dime so as to accomodate a new addition. It happens all the time. Heck, this isn’t an offensive example, but what about the defending NBA champs? They brought in Tyson Chandler and evolved into one of the toughest defenses in the league. AND they won a championship. But apparently they needed more time with him. It’s crap. If the Hornets coaches can’t get Gordon up to speed after 10 months of having him on the roster AND a full training camp, they are incompetent at their jobs and all deserve to be fired.
To that point, what the hell does it mean that he needs to buy in, and what the hell does it matter whether he does? I’ve got news for everyone: Eric Gordon is going to be on the Hornets roster after having signed a long-term deal this summer. This is beneficial to everyone, so it is going to happen. And when it happens, that’s the end of it: Gordon is a Hornet. It would be a smoother ride if he decided he wanted to be here and worked hard and did all of that leadership jazz, but really, is he going anywhere else? The Hornets hitched their wagon to him when they traded for him. His playing now (to show he’s “IN”) doesn’t change that.
Of course it could help with morale though, and give the fans some hope for the futur…
Shut up.
The fans aren’t dumb. They want lottery balls. Gordon playing puts the team’s draft position at risk, which means it’s actually the opposite of what most fans want to see happen right now. Sure, we all get warm fuzzies when we see Gordon out there doing special things, and sure, we probably feel better about those ill-fated season ticket purchases too. But deep down, everyone knows what helps the Hornets most: more losses. And I know what makes me feel better about next year (and increases the likelihood of my purchasing tickets/merchandise), and it’s not a meaningless win or two in April. It’s the prospect of man-beast Anthony Davis patrolling the middle of the defense.
I don’t see how this is complicated. Let Gordon sit as needed, and regroup for next season. It’s the only intelligent way to go.
* Tony Dungy isn’t going to coach the Saints, and this is news. I have no idea what possesses a person to report on something that: A.) isn’t happening; and B.) was never going to happen. But that’s just what Peter King did with this “news” that Tony Dungy isn’t going to be coaching the Saints this year. Thanks for that, Peter. I’d also like to “report” that other names you can cross of the Saints interim coaching list include Tom Hanks, Barack Obama, Chris Owens, and that guy that works down at the local oil change spot (may also be Chris Owens).
* Bobby Petrino is not a handsome man. My wife tells me I should blog about the Petrino situation, and it is relevant, seeing as how it affects LSU’s 2012 season directly, and also I am trying to get people to buy my book on college football (Eyeblack Odyssey — on sale now!). The problem is, most of the national scribes have done a good job already. I will add to the story only that I agree that the man had to go … and also inquire as to what that girl was thinking. I mean, sure, we all prostitute ourselves to varying degrees in our day-to-day lives (just the other day I gave away a ZJ for $15), but if ever there were a case in which I might say to someone, “Thanks, but no thanks, sketchy-looking, soulless-eyes guy,” it would be Petrino. I mean, yuck.
* You’re killing me, Smalls! The problem as I see it with vague, boring headlines, is they don’t always tell the whole story. Meaning, something interesting gets left out. Meaning, I don’t click on the story. Meaning, I can miss awesome things like this. You’re seriously telling me a player for the Zephyrs has named himself after a character from The Sandlot, and more critically, that this hasn’t become common knowledge by now? For shame! Let’s hope the Zephyrs (5-1) don’t suffer for this oversight by the viewing public, as they’re really playing quite well so far. I’m eager to get out to a game, and not just because of their appropriate nod to a pretty great baseball movie.
