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2017 NBA Playoff awards race: Kawhi Leonard is certainly a robot

By John Buhler

San Antonio Spurs small forward Kawhi Leonard (2) warms up before the game against the Houston Rockets in game five of the second round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
San Antonio Spurs small forward Kawhi Leonard (2) warms up before the game against the Houston Rockets in game five of the second round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 25, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets guard Eric Gordon (10) looks at the replay board while playing against the Oklahoma City Thunder in game five of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 25, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets guard Eric Gordon (10) looks at the replay board while playing against the Oklahoma City Thunder in game five of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports /

Sixth Man of the Playoffs: Eric Gordon

Houston may only play a seven-man rotation now that center Nene is done for the year. That would be problematic in most instances, but the Rockets have two electric scoring threats out on the wing. One guy that has been especially lethal coming off the Rockets bench is shooting guard Eric Gordon.

Gordon and teammate shooting guard Lou Williams seem to be the front-runners for NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year award for 2016-17. Williams will likely end up winning it, and it would be his second Sixth Man Award in three seasons. He was spectacular for the Los Angeles Lakers and later the Rockets.

However, Gordon has been the guy that has given the Rockets the biggest spark off the bench. He has only started one of Houston’s 10 playoff games so far, but is averaging 13.6 points, 4.2 rebounds and 2.1 assists per playoff game.

Gordon is shooting 43.8 percent from the field and 39.7 percent from 3-point range while playing 32.8 minutes per playoff contest. It is impressive how much Mike D’Antoni is leaning on Gordon in these playoffs. He had only previously played in four postseason games while he was with the New Orleans Pelicans. Houston will need Gordon to shine in Games 6 and 7 to have any hope of reaching the 2017 Western Conference Finals.

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