[Pistol Pete. The PelicanParticipant]

 sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nba-ball-dont-lie/eric-gordon-really-wants-play-phoenix-tries-scare-232339869–nba.html

 

His actions are unbecoming of a proffesional. It’s a business, grow up man. 

[TRC1991Participant]

I just hope the Hornets sign and trade him, I dont want this crybaby spoiling a potentialy decent season for N.O.

[MJ FOR LIFE 23Participant]

Statements like this will become his undoing in this league. The fact that the Hornets wants to match his max contract offer shows how they truly want him back and make a formidable scoring pair with Rivers.

[Tongue-Out-Like-23Participant]

Honestly, who the hell is he to be calling the shots?  He’s no LeBron, Dwight, Carmelo or Kobe.  He’s just an injury-prone combo-guard with no point-guard skills that has never had a winning season in his 4 years in the NBA.

Sure, he’s a great scorer but he won’t be anything more than that and he’s trying to call the shots just coming off as a cry-baby.

[HotSnotParticipant]

N.O. low balled Gordon with a 4 year 50 mil offer this past season.  He declined.  N.O. told him to get a better offer.  Gordon managed to get PHX to offer him the max.  Whats Gordon supposed to say?  Please match this offer N.O.?  I don’t really want to play in Phx but I needed the leverage to get you guys to pay up?  That would be insulting to Phx bigtime.

[JordoParticipant]

 The biggest thing that kinda ticked me off was he kept going on and on about the "calibur a player" he is and he didn’t think the offer they hornets made him was enough. I mean they offered him 50 million in January to a guy that has played in less and less games in each season he’s been in the league and only had played in 2 games as a Hornet at the time. 

[B FreeParticipant]

 Now adays it seems like anyone can call the shots and to be fair if it works congrats to him, he gets his money and choice of team.

[Dr.RedParticipant]

I still remember the day when Tom Chambers became the first Unrestricted Free Agent in the history of the NBA. Back then, players couldn’t dictate their future. They couldn’t demand trades, and definitely couldn’t hand management a short list of teams they demanded to be traded to. What the hell happened? I mean, these guys are 22-26 years old and expect that they should have rings or get the right to pick a destination.

I’m all for collective bargaining, but what has happened is ridiculous. It isn’t limited to players under contract or restricted free agents, either. Some have the nerve to refuse to play for a team before they even get drafted. I hate what the system has done to these kids’ minds. How are you not happy just being in the NBA? 

I know if I was an owner or upper management, I would not want a player like that on my team. I would build as OKC and San Antonio does – around guys without monster egos that need to feel special. I would want guys that want to win. Want to be there. Come to work everyday and bust a$$. Loyal. High character.

I understand players want to win, but some guys seem to be all about the market they play in. Like they are not making enough money as is. I’m actually starting to like LeBron again after all the crap some of these other guys have pulled. I hated the way he handled his "decision" but at least it was his to make. He never demanded Cleveland trade him… and he definitely didn’t hand them a list with one fricken team on it.

Not to mention, if you are a restricted free agent and want your own FA tour and all… Sign the fricken one-year deal (take the risk of injury or a bad season) and become unrestricted the next year. If you want the financial security, sign the offer sheet and quit your bitchin, regardless of what happens. But no, its all about the player and their damned ego.

[Stojakovicfor3Participant]

He should have taken the Qualifying Offer, then play the 2012-13 season and become an unrestricted FA. Then he would be able to sign wherever he wants. He’s making a fool of himself.

[sheltwon3Participant]

I think people don’t understand leverage.  Orlando can trade Dwight to any thing they want.  They have that power.  Dwight can decide not to re up with any team that he goes to.  He has that power.  Anything else would deny Howard his rights.  Some of you don’t can but I am sure if you were in the same situation you would think different.  Orlando could have been traded him if they wanted but they can’t get value for a player who will not re up with team that is trading for him and they want more than what Houston can give them.  This is business and it is funny how you only see one side of the puzzle.  The general managers and owner are just as immature but they have a greater control of the media.  They are trying to get Howard to cave in like they did last year.

 

People on here need to research business tactics and negotiating

[surveParticipant]

 Sheltwon,

the point is….these players are spoiled and out of control.  they are completely unprofessional.  they are crybabies and they care more about getting a max deal than winning.  they care more about their branding and playing for a large market.  do you know that some of these max players will end up broke?  its pure greed, you dont need to break the bank.  everyone wants to be appreciated, sure, and if you can get a max contract go for it.

there is a way to do things however.  use tact and diplomacy.  Dwight should never let his displeasure reach the media.  see, in this digital media age and twitter and crap, guys take to that stuff and use that to get people to sympathize for their situation instead of just playing basketball.

This is what Gordon shouldve done.  Clearly expressed behind closed doors that he does not want to be in New Orleans under any circumstances.  Dwight shouldve done the same thing.  Gordon says no one has contacted him directly.  Ok, so like the GM and coaching staff are all ducking his calls?  He cant get through?  Before airing chit out in the media, contact the brass, tell them you DONT want to play there under any circumstances.

What happens in the end…Gordon and Dwight get traded…none of this stuff gets out in the media and the players or the organizations dont look like the bad guys.  they can hate each other all day but they should keep that chatter in house and when they come out in front of the cameras and on the web….say it was an amicable decision to go separate ways, etc….and leave it at that.

[GoJOSH HUESTISParticipant]

There is no such things as closed doors. Dwight hasn’t come out to the media and said these things, they were said behind closed doors and got out to the media. And for the people who are saying the players are greedy, don’t you go to as job and try to get as much money as you can or do you just go try to find min wage???  The League is making billions so i have no trouble with players asking for the max that they can get especially after tax and all the family members and ex wives spouse payments, child support that they have to pay. They still have a lot of money but with those things that money can go very fast.

 

And no one can complain that the players are trying to win after seeing all these stars leave money on the table in order to join other stars for the sole purpose of winning

[lilballa141Participant]

It’s a business, grow up man.

yes it is and he’s playing his hand.. although not doing it well. Yes he should be more grateful but he doesn’t HAVE to which may be his undoing.. let him do it. Im sure if you wanted to have a dream job in a dream location and you signed to go there but your current workplace said naw ur staying here ud be upset.. but he’ll get over it.

His situation is kind of like ray allen’s just wanting to be wanted (not comparing them, because he hasn’t done near as much for ANY team than ray did with the celts)

 

… …. not that i condone his actions

[NashyMingParticipant]

The guy just missed majority of the games this season.  Since he’s gonna demand a big contract, if I am a GM, I wouldn’t touch him at all.  If the Hornets is smart, they should S&T him for a solid package.  They have Austin Rivers anyway.

[Pistol Pete. The PelicanParticipant]

 I love Eric Gordon as a player and he’s on my home state team, but he’s not a max caliber player. 50 million that the Hornets offered was more than enough for an injury prone, undersized, scoring 2 guard. He doesn’t do anything besides scoring supremely well. I wanted him to come back, because Coach Monty Williams clearly wants Austin Rivers to be able to play the 1 and he wants him to play the 1. I was thinking a big 3, of Davis, Rivers, and Gordon would be great, even better now since we just traded for Ryan Anderson. 

 

But now I just want us to match the contract and then trade him. He’s becoming a cancer and I’d rather do without him. If Phoenix wants him so much, they’ll trade for him after we match the offer, if anyone wants him so much if that’s the case. I think Phoenix is where his heart is because that’s his last resort. I don’t think Indiana or Portland offered him 58 million, and obviously the Hornets didn’t. So the Suns are the only team that wanted to take a chance on him at that price. 

[HaleParticipant]

Why is there this misconception that Rivers can play PG? It’s baffling to me. Gordon is also a great defender.

[llperez]

if gordon didnt want to play for the hornets and was adamant about it, he ould have never signed the contract with the suns. He probably prefers playing for the suns, but he has to be open to playing for the hornets otherwise he wouldnt have signed that contract.

[TyroberParticipant]

 If he would have just took the qualifing offer he could have been unrestricted next year. He knew exactly what would happen if he tried this an a restricted freeagent. He is being a dumbass

[doubledribblerParticipant]

It’s obvious that a lot of people on here don’t understand business. Has anyone ever heard, "it’s just business, it’s nothing personal"…? That’s what this is. While I don’t agree with it or condone it, I know what he is doing. He’s not the first guy to do this, he’s just one of the few guys I remember doing this at this stage. Most guys, go ahead and take the money, then they beg and plead to get out of town if things don’t quickly go in the right direction.

Personally, I would like to know his reasoning. I know if I am him, I want to go to Phx because of their medical staff, I would rather live in Phx and so far they seem to have a better plan. Unlike others, I’m not sold on Davis, but let’s pretend he’s going to be the next big thing. That’s great, but you just drafted a guy that plays the same position as me, then a few days later you decide to overpay Ryan Anderson. You can say just take the qualifying offer, but it makes no sense for a basketball player to do that. You get a max deal for over 4 years or 5 if matched vs 1 year of security and making maybe half that amount, especially when you have had an injury plagued career already. He’s not going to get me feeling sorry for him, but I can understand not wanting to forfeit that much money no matter how much he makes this year. None of these guys ever do it. Like I said, most guys just complain after they get paid.

While people say Lebron mishandled his situation, he did to a degree, but he was also an unrestricted free agent. Recently, guys like Howard and Melo have been under contract. Melo would not do anything until he got his extension. Howard wanted his bad enough that he took his player option. Kobe was threatening his way out of LA not long ago. Paul wanted his way out and got it. Williams wanted out of Utah.

[surveParticipant]

 We understand its a business, which is why you should use good business etiquette.  Not go on some personal tirade through the media.  Thats what I am saying.  Everyone on that list you named went about their situation differently.  Some bad, some not so bad.  Lebron mishandled the decision by keeping everything to himself…other than that, he didnt demand to be traded…in fact, Cleveland was heavy in the running to retain his services.  

If Eric Gordon uses the media as his absolute last resort, then he still maintains his image, which will be very important moving forward if he plays for the Suns and it doesnt work out.  Gordon shouldve been demanding a sit-down to tell them "look, if you guys to let me out of here I will let it be know in the media that I dont want to be here".  Then they work out a deal…it doesnt leak out, and it looks like an amicable split.  Now of course, there are media with inside sources who are going to rumor that Gordon was not happy in N.O.  but thats not the same thing and doesnt have nearly the effect as direct quotes from Gordon saying he is displeased.

If N.O. ignores him then use that card as your last resort.  What he is doing is not last resort…you know why? Because he said himself he hasnt talked to anyone…only his agent has spoken with them and has been the liason of the situation.  You tell me if Gordon demands a meeting with the brass, they totally ignore his request and tell his agent we are going to match and he is gonna play here regardless?  Kinda hard for me to believe.

[Lebron’s HairlineParticipant]

If I’m the hornets I sign and trade his ass to Phoenix for robin Lopez and one of the draft picks that the suns got from LA. he only played in 5 games this season and expects to get a max contract(which he had) he is an undersized shooting guard, that always stays hurt and has nothing to bring to the table besides scoring. New Orleans pleas let this guy go

[Sewok15Participant]

This childish behavior may have cost him a spot on the Olympic team. He played very well for the team at the World Championships and they could use his 3 point shooting. I would not want a guy like this on my team. He may be one of the top 20 scorers in the league but he is acting like he is Derrick Rose or Russell Westbrook. Both of those guys have over 2000 more points than he has had in their first 4 years in the league. Rivers might not ever be as good as Gordon but I know he has a desire to win over everything else. I don’t know if I can say the same thing of Eric Gordon.

[Shaquille OatmealParticipant]

He wants to play somewhere else and is being honest and upfront about it.  So what?  He’s plainly stating his reasons for wanting to leave and, honestly, he doesn’t owe the New Orleans Hornets organization anything.  He didn’t choose to be there in the first place.  Ultimately, the Hornets can and probably will match the Suns’ offer, so EJ doesn’t really have any power in this situation anyway.  I’ve never understood people who side with the exploitative, parasitic billionaire owners and mega-corporations over the players who produce the big bucks for the league and simply want to have some modicum of control over their own lives.  Everyone’s upset with Dwight for being indecisive and wishy washy (myself included), but when someone like Eric Gordon is upfront about their feelings, they’re bashed for that.  I guess you can’t win.

[blood]

 i have feeling that this new generation of players comes to the league and be like hey im 22 now i should go for max contract instead of winning,hey im 26 now i should go for max contract instead of winning,hey im 30 now i should go for the best offer,and they when be 33 and amnestied they be like hey i should go and be the key piece for the contender… just my 2 cents

[theballerwayParticipant]

hes not saying one thing n doin another, and hes explaining why. thats it. the situation leaves him with limited options but he has no loyalty or connection to that team. he was forced there and only play 9 games at that.

[LerinErinParticipant]

 Care about the way these guys act now…. They all think  that whatever they want they should get. I don’t just blame him just so many guys feel entitled.

[B-ball fanParticipant]

 Why did Gordon agree to the Suns offer when he knew the Hornets wanted to match?  He wasn’t forced to join the Hornets; he could have waited to enter free agency next year and gone wherever he wanted then.  Its his own fault if he spends more time with the Hornets than he wanted to.  The Hornets aren’t entitled to make sure that he can play whereever he wants just because he thinks he is a superstar.

[IndianaBasketballParticipant]

EJ hasn’t signed the Suns’ offer. He still has the option to just sign the QO with the Hornets and become an unrestricted free-agent at the end of the season. Or the Hornets could pull his QO and work on a sign and trade with the Suns. One thing has been made clear though… IF he signs that offer sheet from the Suns, the Hornets will definitely match it whether they likes it or not. Monty Williams and Dell Demps really like him and he likes them. It’s kind of confusing where and when everything go so crazy.

I’m not mad at Gordon for feeling how he feels. He’s always been a straight forward and honest person. He clearly doesn’t want to be in New Orleans. My only problem is him airing everything out so publicy. I’m actually shocked him and his agent, Rob Pelinka, have went to this.

Business gets ugly sometimes as EJ learned last season when the Clippers lied to him and then shipped him out. When this is all said and done, this will all blow over.

[B-ball fanParticipant]

 OK, thanks for the clarification.  Gordon is fine then.  He should thank the Hornets for being honest.  He doesn’t deserve special treatment that the Hornets couldn’t afford to give everybody.  He can say he doesn’t want to play there, but he can leave in a year.  There is no way any player can just dictate where they want to play each year of their career.

[surveParticipant]

 yeah, but the problem is, EJ wants to play in Phoenix…..NOW.  in other words, he wants his cake and eat it too.  he wants to sign that sheet but he doesnt want N.O. to match.  in all the interviews, its clear that is what he wants.  he doesnt really want to sign a QO and risk another injury…he wants to cash out now….and trust me he will.

[PureshooterParticipant]

Is it just me, or does anyone else feel like this guy is not worth max money?  I thought NO’s offer was pretty damn generous.

[IndianaBasketballParticipant]

Let’s be real here… Honestly, none of these guys are worth this much money. Unless you’re like a LeBron, Kobe or some big time interest bringer to the league. All of these guys are fortunate to be paid millions just to play a game.

But you’re only worth what a team is willing to pay you.

[BothTeamsPlayedHardParticipant]

Yet another player who has done nothing but lose basketball games in his young career who does not seem to understand that bad teams score points too. If he really wants out (which by the way is a fine opinion to have), then play out the 2012-13 season for the QO and either unrestricted next year or see if New Orleans buckles and deals him in February.

[sheltwon3Participant]

You say spoiled like you don’t know other people with money that are spoiled.  With that being said, some of this is media spin.  Also a lot of time players are being told by their agents to make a big deal to leverage for either more money or to be moved.  If I am a player I would act a fool if it meant more millions.  I know none of us in here are in a position where our actions could be the difference in 10 or more million.  If I trust my agent I would do what he ask if he could get me what I want

[surveParticipant]

 "With that being said, some of this is media spin."  How did it get in the media? Everytime somebody shoves a mic in Gordon’s face he has to let them know that the Hornets will be sorry if they match any offers?  Isnt a max deal what he wanted?

"If I am a player I would act a fool if it meant more millions."  that may be where we differ, I dont want to look or act like a fool….which is what Gordon and Dwight and others are doing…when they are rich already.  Why cant you just be rich?  Why do you have to be a rich fool?

This isnt about the best deal!!!! N.O. said they will match regardless!  So he will get his $58 million!  This is an individual thing, I just dont agree with it.  I am a humble guy.  I am not a greedy guy.  Thats me personally, others may differ.  I am just saying, if I got 50 million, I am not going to make a fool out of myself for another 8 million.  Whats even worse is, now I know that I am gonna get $58 million but still decide to make a fool out of myself….why? 

[sheltwon3Participant]

Also If Howard was healthy, he would be on the Olympics team.  Come on now.  Seriously you think this free agent thing would stop that.  I am not a fan of what he has done and I think he was stupid  for opting in and taking away his leverage but to act like the GM and owners are so mature when they could have gotten a deal done long time about but they don’t want to lose their prized player and they at least have a better media spin and business way to conduct their spoilness.  Howard meanwhile does not.  Also a lot of stuff coming from so called Howard’s people have yet to be confirmed.

[surveParticipant]

 "Also a lot of stuff coming from so called Howard’s people have yet to be confirmed."  

If it is going to make me damaged goods…then you best believe I would confirm it to be true or not.  part of the problem is these agents.  this is why I respect guys that have agents who were their friends and they grew up with, someone who at least has your best interest under consideration.  

[kobyzParticipant]

after thinking about it, i’m quite understand where Gordon coming from and why he want to play for the Suns and not for the Hornets, the Rivers pick has somthing to do with it, it’s not that Gordon worry about the rookie to take his place it’s just show him that the Hornets not obliged for winning, he feel that all they care about is to sell tickets and being shining and that why they picked Rivers, the most popular figure, but not best player and not fill needs.

[surveParticipant]

I understand as well. I have no problem with him going to the Suns, or him not wanting to be in N.O.  its the handling of the situation and giving the media more fuel for the fire.

also, I dont fully agree with Gordon’s position that the Suns made him feel wanted and N.O. didnt if basing it on the 4 year $50 mil offer….and even moreso because N.O. said they will match any offer.  

First, how many teams will offer him a max deal like that?  As of right now only the Suns and the Hornets view him as a max player.  Secondly, its business, why would the Hornets come with a $58 million dollar deal the first go round?

[Dr.RedParticipant]

I understand this is a business. Every player is essentially a corporation. And, just like any buisness, the smaller corporations are trying to get the biggest chunk of change they can out of the bigger corporation with the large distribution network. The owners are doing the same thing with the NBA. I am not complaining about the business side of things. But there is a thing called ethics. The use of media channels to gain leverage is a solid tactic in certain situations. Pouting like a spoiled little brat (like Gordon) is not what I consider respectable or ethical business practices. It comes across as entitled and arrogant. Plus, he bitched about the team not wooing him – the team had announced publicly that they intended to match any offer and wanted him in NO. And "The Dwight Chronicles" have just grown tiresome – he should have figured out what he wanted and said it straight away. His back-and-forth and blah-blah has hurt his stock and his image. 

The argument that the owners are exploiting the players to make money is just stupid. In the NBA, only a couple teams not in a Top 8 market were actually making money the last few years. And the small market clubs that did make money made deep playoff runs or were young rising teams – i.e. San Antonio, Oklahoma City, Memphis. Almost all the other owners were losing money, and using their teams’ revenue losses as tax write-offs. The NBA didn’t make these owners billionaires, and if there weren’t these "evil" billionaires, these players wouldn’t have a league in which to make their millions of dollars. That is a fact. The players may be what makes the league popular, but there would not be a team if there were no rich guys willing to fund it. Just saying.

[Tyreke JohnsonParticipant]

 its funny that eric godon is getting a max contract, the suns are doing anything to get some talent but overpaying gordon is insane. he has talent but hes a combo guard with injuries and hasnt proven jack shiiiiit. these players are so used to being pampered and having their arse kissed so that when a team doesnt do that, they get all mad and upset. Hornets should let gordon go, hes a horrible attitude to have in the locker room and they actually have a promising future with Davis

[GoJOSH HUESTISParticipant]

Most players don’t deserve the contract that they get but the market dictates it. Gordan doesn’t deserve it because he is injury prone but i don’t knock him for trying to get as much as he can, i’d do the same thing if i was always injuried and worried that the next injury may just end my career.

[IndianaBasketballParticipant]

I think some fans are funny lol. They complain about players getting money when it’s the market that’s dictating their worth. People say a player isn’t worth this or that… You’re worth what somebody is willing to give you. It’s no different than things we buy… It’s worth whatever we’re willing to pay for it.

Like if someone is willing to pay me $58 million dollars, I’m going to say… "Nah… I’m not worth that. Just pay me $40 million." Gtfo… I’m accepting that with the quickness.

 

 

[Author]

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