Houston Rockets: Eric Gordon shines out in New Orleans

Despite coming out on the short end of the contest, Eric Gordon found a way to put together yet another impressive outing for the Houston Rockets, as the reigning Sixth Man returned to his former stomping grounds last night.

Prior to signing a four-year, $53 million deal with the Houston Rockets two summers ago, Eric Gordon spent his previous five seasons down in the Big Easy. He averaged 15.3 points and 3.3 assists per game as a member of the New Orleans Pelicans, where the former Indiana Hoosiers star missed an average of 29 games per year due to various injuries before joining James Harden in Clutch City.

Now, the shooting guard who continues to draws constant jeers from his former fanbase is healthier than ever before. And he recently found a way to silence his critics for the second consecutive year at the Smoothie King Center on Friday night.

The player who was once regarded as the centerpiece in the trade package that the Los Angeles Clippers sent to New Orleans for Paul seven years ago scored 27 points on 10-of-15 shooting from the field in the Rockets’ 115-113 loss to the Pelicans Friday night.

"“I’m healthier,” Gordon told Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle earlier this week, when comparing his injury-free seasons with the Rockets to his time in New Orleans.“Last year was good to test the waters and knock down shots. This year is to put it all together. I think that makes us a better, deeper team.”"

Despite coming out on the short end of Friday’s contest, Gordon managed to show exactly why he is regarded as one of the top Sixth Man of the Year candidates in the game, as the 29-year-old utilized his strength to drive inside and generate scoring opportunities for the second unit.

While also seeking to launch a few treys from Bourbon Street in the process, Gordon — who took home last year’s 3-Point Contest trophy in New Orleans — connected on a trio of shots from downtown late in regulation to help a cold-shooting Houston squad get within striking distance after the Pelicans went up by as many as 21 points midway through the third quarter.

"“He handles the ball more,” Rockets head coach Mike D’Antoni told Feigen when highlighting Gordon’s role within the offense this season compared to last.“He’s running more pick-and-rolls,. Obviously that’s James’ role. It’s good to know we have that. Eric is another serious weapon out there…We’re just tapping into it. He’s finishing well. He’s doing a lot of great things.”"

Since returning to his usual role off the bench in the wake of Harden’s return, Gordon has averaged 19.2 points per game for the Rockets and shot 47.3 percent over the last five outings. The man whose career was once defined by his time off of the court has found a way to put together his finest season in nearly a decade and shine out in Houston.

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The Rockets will look to take advantage of an off day, prior to getting prepared for Sunday afternoon’s home tilt against Devin Booker and the Phoenix Suns.