Eric Gordon, the veteran guard for the Philadelphia 76ers, recently shared insights about how the 2011 NBA lockout affected his career trajectory. Gordon revealed he was on the verge of signing a max contract with the Los Angeles Clippers before the unexpected halt in the season.
“I was supposed to sign a max deal with LA, like, right then and there,” Gordon explained during an appearance on the Club 520 Podcast. The abrupt lockout prevented the deal from materializing, altering the course of his professional journey.
After the lockout ended, the Clippers expressed their intentions to retain Gordon. “Once we got back from that, they were promising me, ‘You’re going to be here for five years,’ this and that,” he recalled. These assurances gave Gordon hope for a long-term future with the franchise.
The proposed trade that included Gordon was initially set to involve his teammates Eric Bledsoe, Chris Kaman, and Al-Farouq Aminu. However, the deal fell through, and Gordon found himself unexpectedly on the move. “The trade was done; it was supposed to be Bledsoe, Kaman, and Al-Farouq Aminu. And then, once they backed out of it, David Stern probably went to the GM, and they just threw me in there,” he stated.
This sudden change left Gordon feeling bewildered. “I was a little confused, and I was younger too,” he admitted. The transition to the New Orleans Hornets was challenging for the young guard.
Upon joining the Hornets, Gordon faced adversity as he dealt with injuries. “When I got to New Orleans, I wanted to do well, but I had already gotten injured,” he explained. These setbacks impacted his performance and perception among fans.
Gordon reflected on the misunderstandings surrounding his commitment during that time. “People down there thought I just didn’t give a damn or anything while I was down there,” he said. The injuries hampered his ability to contribute effectively, affecting both his reputation and relationship with fans in New Orleans.
