Five Minutes With Eric Gordon

The Clippers guard is 100 percent after a wrist injury last season.

by Nima Zarrabi / @NZbeFree

Clippers guard Eric Gordon is coming off his best NBA season, posting 22 points and 4 assists per game in his third year in the L. The 22-year-old from Indianapolis has shown some exciting flashes throughout his career, but he’s been slowed by a few nagging injuries the past two years.

He appeared in 56 games last season, missing some time due to a wrist injury. When we caught up with Gordon at the adidas Nations tourney this week, he said he is now 100 percent healthy and ready to go.

SLAM: What brings you to adidas Nations?

Eric Gordon: To check out some of the young talent out here. I think I was a part of their very first one and now I’m with adidas fully. I had a lot of fun playing here and got better playing here. It’s been a fun adventure.

SLAM: Where have you been spending your time this summer and what have you been up to?

EG: I’ve been mostly in Indiana but have gone back and forth to LA. I just got done playing in a lot of Pro-Am games back in Indy—couple days a week.

SLAM: What are you hearing from your agent and others around the League about the lockout and what are you preparing for?

EG: It’s hard to tell right now. It’s still a little early for everybody to say they’re straight up going overseas. We need to see what happens with the Union and the opportunities overseas.

SLAM: If the season is cancelled, what will you do? Would you just workout or look at the opportunities overseas?

EG: If that happened I would definitely look into going over there. Right now I would say I’m 50-50 on it.

SLAM: What have you heard about playing in another country that gives you some concern?

EG: Their season starts very early and if we start our season halfway through, I’d be worried about injuries or anything like that before the year started, if we have a short season.

SLAM: Are you optimistic that we will have a season?

EG: I really hope so. From what I’ve seen, they haven’t agreed on anything yet. I think it’s going to take some time from what I’m hearing. It’s hard to tell at this point.

SLAM: What part of your game are you hoping to improve before next season?

EG: My post game. I think I’m stronger than most point guards and should have more of an inside presence.

SLAM: Do you see yourself as playing a combo guard role with the Clippers moving forward?

EG: I would say so because I have to score on this team. That’s why I’m working on the post so I can have that for late-game situations.

SLAM: What’s it been like playing with Mo Williams?

EG: He helps a lot because me and Blake play a lot of two-man game and we need a guy that can knock down shots—he definitely does that well. He’s made a good contribution to our team.

SLAM: What did you think about Blake Griffin’s impact as far as generating some excitement and buzz around your squad?

EG: Obviously everyone loves his dunks and everything. Blake works hard and is trying to get better all the time. It’s good to have him on the team.

SLAM: You guys seem to have a nice young core on the Clippers with you, Blake and DeAndre Jordan. Are you hoping the team can keep you guys together?

EG: I think it needs to happen for us to be a really good team. You see all these other teams who have guys playing together their entire careers and they stayed really good. We’re really young—been in the League three or four years and we’re still only 22 or 23.

SLAM: If we do have a season this year, what should we expect from you?

EG: An All-Star-caliber player from now on. That’s what I’m striving for and I have high expectations.

SLAM: Do you think you’re right there, as far as ready to make the next step in becoming an All-Star?

EG: Oh yeah, for sure. I ran into a lot of injuries last year and if I have a healthy season I should be fine.