Eric Gordon poised for a new season

Former North Central and Indiana University standout Eric Gordon is set to tip-off his third season in the National Basketball Association.

Gordon was named Indiana Mr. Basketball in 2007 and was a McDonald All-American before attending IU.

Taken 7th by the Los Angeles Clippers in the 2008 draft, Gordon has emerged as one of the leaders of an up-and-coming team. Critics continue to make a joke out of the Clippers and their ongoing struggles. Mostly because they share the Staples Center with the back-to-back champs, LA Lakers. However with a solid core of Gordon, Baron Davis, Chris Kaman, and Blake Griffin, this team has the potential to have the best season in franchise history.

In his first season, EJ (6-3, 215) averaged 16.1 ppg and 16.9 last year. In his rookie year, Gordon even scored a career-high 41 points, a Clipper rookie record. He also gets his teammates involved and is tenacious on the defensive end.

That’s one of the key factors in Gordon making it in the NBA. His defensive is impeccable—an all out determined effort to stop the opposing teams best player. Add to that his long range shooting and strong drive to the lane and Gordon is becoming a top player in the conference.

There is no question, Gordon is an all-star in the making. Now that some of the best talent is in the east, there now may be a spot for EJ in the talent-heavy Western Conference. At just 21 years old, he has yet to hit his prime.

During this past offseason, Eric hired former Indiana strength & conditioning coach Jeff Watkinson to be his private trainer. A brilliant move by Gordon. He already is a strong, buff guy but in the NBA, players are always looking for an advantage. Watkinson is a good friend but will also push Gordon to his max and make sure he reaches further goals.

This offseason, Eric gained some valuable experience helping Team USA win the goal medal in the 2010 FIBA World Championship. If it wasn’t for Gordon, Team USA may have not succeeded in bringing home the title. He led the team in scoring multiple times—willing them to victory.

The top players in the NBA like LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Dwight Howard decided to rest and not participated. Led by Kevin Durant and Eric Gordon, the team kept the Americans on top. In nine games, EJ averaged 8.6 points, was second on the team in three-pointers made with 19, and second in three-point field goal percentage (.452).

The Clippers liked Gordon so much, that before the season the team exercised his fourth-year contract option. They understand his importance to the team, and want to keep him around for years to come. However after the 2012 season that will be difficult because Gordon will be a hot free agent. It is then when I expect EJ to sign a huge contract with a higher-level team.

Tonight the Clippers open the season at home against Portland and Greg Oden. The game is on ESPN at 10:30 PM EST so Gordon fans will be able to tune in.