I’m expecting a HUGE year from Eric Gordon

Talking about that topic is like beating a dead horse lol. We could go back and forth on it for days! I’d give Mayo the edge as far as overall talent goes. He’s more creative off the bounce, has a better mid-range game and he plays point guard better than EJ at this point. However, I’m a biased EJ fan. I’ve been knowing him since he was in 5th grade and I love his game. I love his attack the rim mentality and how he can finish through/around players that are bigger/taller than he is. I think he plays the game the right way. It’s hard to say who’ll be better, so I’m just going to sit back and watch it all play out lol.

What are your doubts?

Those are definitely legit concerns. I think he’ll answer a few of those this season.

1. I think this year, he’ll show more than just being able to score. Last season, being a rookie on a veteran team (M. Camby, B. Davis, R. Davis, C. Kaman and Z. Randolph), I think he just played his role. This year, he’ll be given the opportunity to do more.

2. He’s definitely a two guard, but working on being a more effective combo guard.

3. He gets to rim easily off the bounce, but he’s definitely not as creative as a Rose or Mayo. He definitely needs to improve here.

4. I think he showed last year that he could guard both. He guarded everyone from CP3 to Kobe. Versus Indiana in Indianapolis, he checked TJ Ford, who we all know is super quick, and was step for step with him. I think he’s a versatile defender in the fact that he’s quick laterally, strong and has long arms. He can guard either backcourt position effectively.

5. I think he has underrated playmaking abilities. He’ll show a little more of that this year, however we know B. Davis will dominate the ball.

6. He’s only 20, so I wouldn’t say he’s an upper-tier scorer right now. I think he will be really soon though.

I’d give Mayo the edge in ball handling and creating his own shot off the dribble, but it’s closer than you think in terms of passing and defending. Mayo is a more flashier passer, while Gordon is a more basic/fundamental passer. In my opinion, Gordon makes better decisions and is more patient with the ball than Mayo. Mayo may have a slight edge in defense on the ball, but I think Gordon defends in the post better, can guard bigger players and closes out on shooters better. Gordon is bigger, stronger and longer and I think he is a more versatile defender.

I think a lot has to do with their teams. Memphis is a young team and Mayo played a lot and was a leader from day one. He had the ball in his hands a lot, so he was allowed to do more. It was completely different for Gordon. He was on a veteran team with a lot of personalities. He had to play his role and that was scoring and defending. In due time, as the youth movement takes over for the Clippers, we’ll see Gordon do A LOT more. I also think that Gordon gets overlooked somewhat because he has a quiet personality and doesn’t have the “swag” of a Mayo, Westbrook or even Rose. The reports out of LA are that he has a different attitude and has gotten comfortable, not only on the court, but with the media also. I’m expecting a big season.