The New Orleans Hornets possible name change to the "Pelicans" is not the only adjustment the franchise is planning to make. Come this Saturday, the for-now-known-as-Hornets could be tweaking their roster with the expected return of guard Eric Gordon this coming weekend.
According to John Reid of NOLA.com, Gordon will reportedly re-join the team after missing all 25-games this season because of recurring problems with his right knee and the shooting guard’s return could not come at a better time for the struggling franchise who is hurting through a nine-game losing streak.
New Orleans remains uncertain when Gordon will actually get back on the floor, but Gordon himself is adamant that he will play before the end of December.
'I had a lot of pain and all throughout my knee cap,' Gordon said before Wednesday night’s game against the Los Angeles Clippers in which he watched from the bench.
'It shut down all my muscles around my leg from my calf to even my quads. So that’s what I was dealing with and if I would have kept on going I would have had to undergo possible surgery.'
Slowly but surely he will be back on the floor and after everything that has transpired between New Orleans and its marquee player, this sure beats the alternative.
Since being acquired from the Los Angeles Clippers last season, Gordon has only appeared in nine games before undergoing arthroscopic surgery last February. That has not kept Gordon from making news however.
And that is where the fun really began: Gordon sat out the Olympics, entertained signing an extension with the Hornets, was courted hard by the Phoenix Suns and signed a four year, $58 million offer sheet, watched in awe and perceived frustration as the Hornets matched the lucrative offer, and as the 2012-13 season got underway headlines ran weekly that Gordon "desperately" wants out of New Orleans or was at least "trying to sit out."
Well, in some ways he got his wish.
Gordon was able to travel to Los Angeles where he has been rehabbing his knee for the last month and from the sounds of the process has been beneficial to Gordon, perhaps even the Hornets in the long run. Not only has the L.A. stay helped strengthen Gordon’s quad, but you have to imagine has revamped his mental approach to the situation in New Orleans, even despite their horrid five-win season.
'Coming out here definitely was the best thing because I'm better mentally and physically,' Gordon said. 'They train you a whole different way and it just worked out. Now, I’m in position to really get back with the team and really get things going as far as practicing and getting back to playing.'
Now if the Hornets (5-20) can just get back on the winning track and somehow salvage this season.
