Trouble in Brooklyn, Eric Gordon Returning And More NBA Tidbits

Dec 18, 2012; New York, NY, USA; Utah Jazz point guard Mo Williams (5) drives around Brooklyn Nets point guard Deron Williams (8) during the fourth quarter at Barclays Center. Utah won 92-90. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports /

According to Yahoo! Sports, Eric Gordon is on his way back from injury, while head coach Monty Williams asks this of the city of New Orleans:

"Our city has been a city of second chances,” Williams told Yahoo! Sports. “This situation should be the same way. Eric said some things. But if you polled most of the people in our city about the things they said at [age] 23, I’m sure they had some regrets. We want our city to embrace him because that’s who we are."

The second chance in question would be for his comments this past summer when he was a restricted free agent. After signing an offer sheet with the Phoenix Suns, he stated that that the city was just “where his heart is right now.” Risky words for a restricted free agent to be spouting. While Gordon is remorseful of his actions, he considered it a negotiation tactic at the time. It may not have been the best way to go about getting more money on the table, but if owners can be ruthless why can’t players be the same way?

Anyways, Eric Gordon has been rehabbing his right knee for the majority of the summer and early this

Apr 22, 2012; Los Angeles, CA, USA; New Orleans Hornets guard Eric Gordon (10) dribbles the ball during the game against the Los Angeles Clippers at the Staples Center. The Clippers defeated the Hornets 107-98. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-USA TODAY Sports /

season. He might find himself back in the line-up within the next one to two weeks. Former Duke guard and NBA rookie Austin Rivers will be taking a seat behind Gordon once he finally returns. Rivers has been showing improvement recently, but for the most part, he’s been many different shades of terrible for the Pelicans (ha, Pelicans).

Moving on, Rasheed Wallace has been struggling with a left foot injury and has missed the past four games for the New York Knicks. He has been ruled out for tonight’s game against the Chicago Bulls. While Chris Copeland has been filling his role effectively, Sheed has been strong for the Knicks when on the court.

Meanwhile, on the other side of New York, Deron William of the Brooklyn Nets has been accused of slacking off and/or playing poorly. While Williams would like to write the Nets and his own personal struggles off as a result of Avery Johnson’s offense, a couple of inside opinions disagree with that sentiment. Knicks point guard Jason Kidd, who used to play for Avery Johnson, decided to chime in. Via NYDailyNews:

"I don’t think it has anything to do with the coach. I think it’s just a matter of getting comfortable making shots. Also, he has new teammates. He’s got to get used to a new crew. It’s always a growing period. He’s a grownup. He’ll figure it out. All things don’t go well right away sometimes. He’s just going through a struggle shooting the ball, but he’s one of the best at what he does, so he’ll work through it."

Since D-Will is considered the reason that the NBA’s beloved future hall of fame coach, Jerry Sloan, decided to hang up the clipboard, talks of him trying to throw out Avery Johnson are spreading. If Williams and Johnson are communicating as well as both of them say they are, the Nets should be able to figure it out. They’re a talented team that’s just getting started to know each other. Monty Williams may be asking the city of New Orleans to give Eric Gordon another Chance, but here’s my plea: Give Deron Williams another chance.

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