Honestly, who cares? We weren't going to win a title this year. Gordon being out gives our rookies game time, without expectations. Not a bad position for a couple of 19/20 year olds.
If in 6 weeks he returns and balls like crazy fantastic! If in 6 weeks he demands a trade, so be it. Let's cross that bridge when we get there.
Take out all of the speculation and your personal biases. He was injured when we signed him, he has never played a full season. Why are we made at Gordon for that? He didn't offer the contract to himself, Hornets' brass did.
Here are all of the options as I see them
A) Gordon does not want to be here and is faking/milking this injury and will force a trade in 6 weeks. This is clearly the most common belief, but to me it is the most unlikely. What is he gaining from these actions? Do you think he is happy right now? Do you think he doesn't realize that he is creating a stigma against himself right now? One that he will be forced to battle his entire career. All reports state that he is the first one to the gym and the last one to leave everyday. This does not sound anything like faking/milking to me. All reports state that he is rehabbing very hard.
B) Gordon has minor pain that he won't play through / was paid doesn't care anymore. This is the 2nd most prevalent theory. This is more likely to me than option A, but I still don't buy it. Pro athletes are ultra competitive. Even with more talent then any human on the planet, you still have to work nonstop and dedicate your life to make it to this level. That competitive fire doesn't just snuff out. In some cases it may, but not for a young guy that has yet to accomplish anything. He practices three times last week, full practice - full contact. Monty stated he was amazing on the court. Do you believe that his pain is not that bad, but he would rather just sit on the bench and get boo'd to death? To basically become a prisoner in his own home because he will receive negativity everywhere he goes? Again this is unlikely to me.
C) His knee is causing him a lot of pain, and he is worried about his long term career / comfortability in normal living for the remaining 50 years of his life. This is the option I am choosing. Very unpopular I am aware. I don't doubt that he is soft. I don't deny the reports he didn't want to be here. But options A and B both seem like they do more harm than good to Gordon, so I just don't believe he would willingly go those routes. I think his knee is hurting. We have all heard the stories about NBA Dr's and their track record for diagnosis. Tyson while here, Grant Hill, etc. Is it possible that he is now excited about the Hornet's future? That he sees he is the missing piece for success? Is it possible that he is only trying to protect himself and the team by making sure that playing now will not cause permanent damage? He rested all preseason and training camp. He tested the knee out the week before the season started...... Doesn't that seem like the normal course of action for recovering from injuries? I'm pretty sure that is what everyone in every sport does. You rehab/rest. You test it out, lightly at first and the full go. Why is everyone freaking out about this? He tested the knee, and it hurt a lot worse than it should have. Now he as sought new medical opinions. He has given us a timeline of 4-6 weeks.
I expect to see him on the court then. Am I ultra-naive? We will know in 6 weeks.