Eric Gordon says he wants to play 82 games this season

Nov 29, 2013; Philadelphia, PA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans guard Eric Gordon (10) looks to pass during the first quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center. The Pelicans defeated the Sixers 121-105. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

Eric Gordon has been a good shooting guard over his career. He has been the best player on every team he has played on (look at those Clippers rosters he was on), but now in New Orleans, he finally has some talent around him. Since he was traded to the Hornets (now the Pelicans), he has been injured, and he appeared in just 42 games last season.

Now that he’s healthy this season, he has a lofty goal, according to HOOPSWORLD:

"“My main focus is definitely to play 82 games this season. I definitely want to play at a high level,” Gordon said to HOOPSWORLD. “As long as I stay out on the floor I think I’ll keep on getting better and better.”"

Playing 82 games is rare in today’s NBA. With coaches being smarter and resting guys for the playoffs, or sitting them out for fear of too many minutes. For Gordon, he knows that his workload is less, and that will help his injury situation:

"“You put on a lot of strain on yourself on the floor. You got people trying to do multiple coverages on you,” Gordon said. “You try to overwork yourself to do so much here and there. That could risk a little bit of injury here and there. It’s good to have help for sure.”"

With Anthony Davis out, the Pelicans are going to rely on Gordon a lot more, and when healthy, this team can make the playoffs. Gordon is averaging 17 points per game for the Pelicans this season.

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