Matt Moore

Eric Gordon could be held out the entire preseason

By Matt MooreOct 21, 2012, 7:30 PM EDT

Eric Gordon was limited in training camp with soreness in his knee which has given him problems for over a year. He was supposed to return for preseason, but that hasn’t happened yet. And now coach Monty Williams is talking about him missing the entire preseason. From the Times-Picayune:

But Williams said Sunday that Gordon could miss the final three preseason games because he is not in appropriate conditioning due to the missed time caused by his sore knee. Williams also theres also a chance power forward Jason Smith could miss the remainder of the preseason after injuring his shoulder in a practice last week. Gordon has missed all five preseason games, while Smith has played in only the preseason opener against the Orlando Magic.

“I don’t see them playing in the next couple of games, maybe not anymore in the preseason, Williams said. “It is not ideal, but it is the situation that we have. Jason is still feeling pain. Eric got to get his condition up; that’s what he’s working on now. But he’s doing more and more everyday. He’s doing a lot more drill work with the team and he’s in all the huddles. He’s more engaged each day.”

via New Orleans Hornets shooting guard Eric Gordon could miss remainder of preseason | NOLA.com.

There’s no reason to sound the alarms, but you may want to at least check where the button is on the dashboard. Gordon should account for 25 to 30 percent of the Hornets’ offense this year, and they invested a huge amount of money for him in the offseason.

The Hornets are playing it safe, though, which is the right thing. They need him at a 100 percent. He can miss the preseason, the start of the regular season, the first month of play. They need him for the majority of the season, and the years to come.

We’ll keep you updated on his progress.

Video: James Harden and Tony Parker surprise kids at a pickup game

By Matt MooreOct 21, 2012, 6:00 PM EDT

So that’s pretty cool. You have to wonder if players ever get tired of it, if they’re numb to the adoration and excitement caused by just their presence. Choosing Harden and Parker for this, two of the more understated, if not humble, stars in the game provides a good background for it.

And the dunks are pretty nice, even if Parker is in no way physically suited to stop Harden.

Also, hilariously, the editing job AT&T did on this thing, because apparently Harden missed a ton of shots.

Oh, sorry, these two are supposed to hate each other because of the rivalry and …. oh, screw it.

HT: ProjectSpurs

Video: Jeff Green is still athletic, and is developing that Celtics attitude

By Matt MooreOct 21, 2012, 3:00 PM EDT

This is not bad for a guy who’s coming back from heart surgery.

The block is exceptional, and nasty. But the attitude that comes with it is quintessential Celtics. Green seems to be embracing this team’s attitude. Gone is the doe-eyed youngster who seemed intimidated by the Celtics’ veterans two-years ago, replaced with a man determined to prove everyone wrong on his value, his career, and his contract.

The Celtics expect big things from Green, and in the preseason, he’s shown they may have gambled right on him. Preseason, though, as always.

Corey Maggette to have precautionary MRI

By Matt MooreOct 21, 2012, 1:30 PM EDT

The Detroit Free Press reports that Pistons F Corey Maggette will have an MRI on his calf this week due to a strain he suffered against the Heat the other night. Maggette was on crutches after the game but walking on his own power Friday, and the MRI is considered precautionary.

The Pistons either desperately need Maggette or have zero use for him, depending on where you think they’re at. If the goal is to make the playoffs to show legitimate progress in the rebuilding project, he’s going to help. Veterans, even inefficient ones, help just by knowing how to operate in the flow of the offense. But long-term, the Pistons need a player they can put at the small forward spot long-term. That’s neither 32-year-old Maggette or 32-year-old Tayshaun Prince. But the Pistons aren’t there yet, and Austin Daye certainly isn’t that guy. It’ll be a bigger concern in the offseason, but for now, the older duo will do fine.

The MRI shouldn’t reveal anything big, but we’ll keep an eye out on it for you anyway.

HT: Detroit Bad Boys

The case for why Chris Paul is staying with the Clippers

By Matt MooreOct 21, 2012, 12:00 PM EDT

Chris Paul is technically back in that same spot so many stars have been in over the past few years which has resulted in a transition of teams. He’s a free agent at the end of this season with his contract expiring. He would have been a free agent this summer but as part of the agreement that sent him to the Clippers in a trade last fall, Paul opted into his last year on contract. The thought was that the Clippers would have to show him they could win before he would commit long-term.

HoopsWorld reports that signs point to what everyone assumed, that Paul’s plan is to re-sign.

Paul aggressively recruited for the Clippers this offseason, contacting free agents and attempting to sell them on the situation. His pitch was convincing, with talk about the promising future in Los Angeles and opportunity to compete for a championship. Paul’s recruiting pitch was instrumental in the team signing Jamal Crawford among other free agents, according to sources close to the situation. Most players who are planning to leave a team have one foot out the door as free agency looms. Paul, on the other hand, was working the phones and planning face-to-face meetings with potential teammates.

Not only did Paul play a huge role in the Clippers’ pursuit of free agents, he spent the offseason working with several of Los Angeles’ prospects. Paul trained with Eric Bledsoe, Travis Leslie and Trey Tompkins in Los Angeles, pushing the three young players every day. Paul took Bledsoe, Leslie and Thompkins under his wing, pushing them to improve all aspects of their game and encouraging them as they continue their development. He also spent a considerable amount of time bonding with his teammates, hanging out with them in Los Angeles and flying several of them (including Leslie and Thompkins) to Las Vegas, where he hosted several parties. He also organized offseason workouts and many Clippers participated.

via Alex Kennedy’s post on Basketball | Latest updates on Sulia.

Now, Paul would likely do much of this even if he wasn’t sold. But from the beginning, he’s essentially said that he’s where he wants to be and he’s going to be there a long-time. He has Blake Griffin who’s only going to get better, and a team of veterans which is what every star wants around him.

But is this really how Paul spends the next four years of his career, into his 30’s? The Clippers, let’s be honest, here, are not winning a title. Even with a projected improvement from Griffin, unless he has shooting touch implanted through cybernetics, he’s not going to be all-world. DeAndre Jordan can improve and will still take years to be the kind of dominant defensive center you need.

The Clippers are going to be good. Paul would have to be the best, not one of, which he already is, but the best player in the NBA for them to win the title. Can he pull that off?