The Houston Rockets are now in their second week of practice at the NBA “bubble” complex near Orlando, and reserve guard Eric Gordon says his previously troublesome right knee continues to feel healthy.
Now 31 years old, Gordon has missed 30 games this season — nearly half of the 64 thus far for the Rockets (40-24) in the 2019-20 year.
But the 6-foot-3 guard used the league’s multi-month hiatus due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) to allow his ailing knee to heal, and he also reportedly dropped 12 pounds in a bid to prevent future injuries.
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Last week, Houston coach Mike D’Antoni praised Gordon as an early standout at training camp for the upcoming restart. On Sunday, with over a week of practices in the books, Gordon was asked if his knee was still feeling good as he ramps up his physical activity. He replied:
Everything’s been good. The explosion’s been there. It’s only been a week or so, but I’ve been looking forward to getting back into the fold of things. …
It’s a good thing we have a game this week, and I should just keep feeling better and better.
Eric Gordon again emphasizes the importance of the #Rockets playing faster: "We definitely just want to push the pace. We're continually preaching on that."
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) July 19, 2020
When Gordon has played this year, he’s been the third-leading scorer on the Rockets, with an average of 14.5 points in 28.6 minutes per game.
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While limited by injury, however, Gordon’s shooting percentages have dipped from 40.9% overall and 36.0% on 3-pointers in the 2018-19 campaign to 37.0% and 31.9%, respectively, this season.
Gordon missed 20 games after having surgery in November to correct his nagging knee injury. Though he returned in late December, Gordon says he still wasn’t at peak fitness, and his production was inconsistent.
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But Gordon says he’s healthy now, and his shooting and attacking ability could be crucial for a Houston squad that hasn’t consistently had a third playmaker after All-Star guards James Harden and Russell Westbrook. Gordon has also been successful as an on-ball defender in recent playoff runs by the Rockets against the likes of Utah’s Donovan Mitchell.
Gordon and the Rockets will play their first of three scrimmages this Friday versus Toronto, with their regular season resuming a week later. They have already clinched a playoff spot, and Gordon’s health may be essential if Houston is to finally deliver on its championship aspirations.
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