@Jim_Eichenhofer
In his fourth season with New Orleans, Eric Gordon had become such a lightning rod for scrutiny that he was criticized by a local newspaper columnist Dec. 18 for attending a Pelicans watch party – Gordon was sidelined by a left shoulder injury – instead of joining teammates at a Houston road game. Likely the only player in NBA history to be second-guessed for spending free time with fans, Gordon returned to the court Jan. 5, after sitting out 21 games with the injury, electing not to have what would’ve been season-ending shoulder surgery. Two nights later, the right-hander began the best shooting stretch of his pro career – something he’s carried over into his first NBA playoffs.