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Houston Rockets: 2016 Offseason Grades

By Gerald Bourguet

Jan 25, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) reacts after scoring against New Orleans Pelicans forward Ryan Anderson (33) during the fourth quarter of a game at the Smoothie King Center. The Rockets defeated the Pelicans 112-111. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 25, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) reacts after scoring against New Orleans Pelicans forward Ryan Anderson (33) during the fourth quarter of a game at the Smoothie King Center. The Rockets defeated the Pelicans 112-111. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /
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Houston Rockets
Mar 2, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; New Orleans Pelicans guard Eric Gordon (10) has his shot blocked by Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) in the second half at Toyota Center. The Rockets won 100-95. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports /

Getting Gordon

Speaking of overpaid and injury-prone New Orleans Pelicans players, Eric Gordon also joined Anderson to bolster Houston’s potent offensive attack, signing a four-year, $53 million deal with the Rockets.

To be fair, a contract worth around $13.3 million a season is hardly an albatross under the new cap. Next season, that figure would be the equivalent of a $9.9 million deal under last year’s $70 million cap — nearly $6 million less than he actually earned last season as a member of the Pelicans.

However, just because Gordon is finally being paid something closer to his worth doesn’t make this a good deal either. Anderson has had his injury bugs over the last few seasons, but they’re nothing compared to the perennially injured Gordon, who has missed 37, 21, 18, 40 and 73 games, respectively, over his five years in New Orleans.

Perhaps a change of scenery will do him some good, and his three-point shooting shouldn’t be overlooked. Gordon shot 39.1 percent from three in 2013-14, 44.8 percent in 2014-15 and 38.4 percent last season, taking 4.0, 5.2 and 6.5 attempts per game, respectively.

Though he’s hovered around 42 percent shooting overall over the last three years, putting Gordon on the floor with Harden (off the bench) will take the pressure off Harden to score and enable Gordon as a standstill shooter.

Unfortunately, Gordon shot an ho-hum 35.2 percent on catch-and-shoot threes last year, surprisingly performing better on pull-up threes (48.2 percent).

At age 27, this was supposed to be Gordon’s big pay day. And while he earned far more than some  were expecting given his underperformance, four years is a long commitment to a player with such an extensive injury history.

Gordon may help spread the floor for Harden to operate with the ball in his hands, but between his recurring health issues, his mediocre defense and his wonky fit as a catch-and-shoot perimeter threat, Houston’s gambit for all-offense hit a bit of a snag here.

Grade: C-

Next: Nabbing Nene

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