Houston Rockets: 3 goals for Eric Gordon in 2019-20

1. Stay ready for the big moment

Although Westbrook and Harden’s name will always draw the most headlines when it comes to nonstop discussions surrounding Rockets basketball, one could state that the even-keeled Gordon is arguably the most important constituent to Houston’s entire attack.

Despite being regarded by most analysts as an average defender, the 6’4″, 215-pound product has taken on the challenge of guarding opposing team’s primary scorer throughout the regular season.

Including when it counts for all the marbles, Gordon has helped the Rockets to garner critical stops on the way to converting big-time shots that have swung the momentum of ball games.

Gordon — who finished second only to Harden in scoring for the Rockets in last year’s playoffs — shot a scorching 57.1 percent from 3-point range late in bouts decided by five points or less within the final five minutes of either the fourth quarter or overtime during the postseason.

"“He’s huge for us,” Houston head coach D’Antoni said to reporters when asked about Gordon’s overall impact on the club. “And he always has been…he gives us an explosive 2-guard that can get off quick shots, and drives to the basket as strong as can be. “He’s overall just a super player.”"

Even though it remains to be seen how the story of the 2019-20 Rockets will unfold, one can rest assured knowing that there will be a handful of games that No. 10 will be required to come up big with the money on the line.

To either hit a game-changing shot or bring about a stop, finding a way to stay ready for the biggest juncture that awaits him could be the difference between whether Houston can seize its third NBA championship.