Veteran guard Eric Gordon was reinserted into the Suns‘ starting lineup for Friday’s contest in Sacramento, but had one of his worst games of the season. Gordon, who was a minus-25 in Phoenix’s 15-point loss, went scoreless for the first time this season and attempted a season-low two shots from the floor.
Speaking to Chris Haynes of Bleacher Report, Gordon expressed some dissatisfaction with his role on offense.
“Early on in the season, it was better. And lately, there just hasn’t been an emphasis [to get me more looks],” Gordon said. “So, it’s definitely different. Lately I haven’t been getting hardly any touches really.”
Head coach Frank Vogel admitted that he’s “not doing a good enough job” making sure that Gordon gets involved in the offense, adding that the 16-year veteran is “a guy that can really help us.” Gordon, who will turn 35 on Christmas Day, tells Haynes that he plans to talk to Vogel about ways to incorporate him more.
“Everybody knows the type of player I am and what I’m about. I came here to win, but what I do is score,” Gordon said. “And I think when I score, it really opens up the door for a lot of people because I can score in big games and in big ways. That’s just what it is.”
Phoenix won seven straight games in November and had an 11-6 record at one point, but has since lost eight of 11 to slip to .500 (14-14). Gordon has averaged just 9.8 points on 8.8 shots per night during that recent stretch after posting 14.9 points on 12.1 attempts per night (with a .469/.404/.786 shooting line) through the club’s first 17 games. His usage rate has dipped to 17.5% for the season, which would be a career low.
With Bradley Beal sidelined due to an ankle injury, the Suns are looking to get some secondary offense from players besides Kevin Durant and Devin Booker. In Phoenix’s past two losses, those two stars have combined to average 59 points per night, but no other player has scored more than 11 in either game.
Booker at PG has its consequences. It’s not that Booker doesn’t pass, he does, just not to another G to create that player’s offense.with a similar game.
If Beal ever plays, his role will shrink even more probably.
Gordon isn’t the player he still thinks he is .
Wrong players that were put together. KD doesn’t learn…
Gordon is never going to have the ball in his hand and create for self or others. He isn’t a great playmaker and when KD, Booker, or Beal are on the floor they are the options. He can spot up or try to cut to the rim but he isn’t getting a bigger role.
“when KD, Booker, or Beal are on the floor”
Haha, that’s a good one
Does he realize where he is and what his age is?
Maybe if they trade Grayson Allen he could have a bigger role but I’m saying that Beal will return at some stage too
Maybe Grayson Allen for PJ Tucker who’s looking for a way out since going to LA. Tucker would slot in nicely with all those stars as a guy who would just sit in the corner and take open threes and provide a good defender and locker room guy.
Although the clippers don’t really need another shooter they already have Russ, Powell and Bones as back up guards. Maybe a three team deal ….