Question for debate: Gordon or Monty?

[cki3915]

In responding to another thread regarding fantasy trading of Eric Gordon, that made me think of an interesting topic to debate here.

Who remains a Pelican longer: Eric Gordon or Monty Williams?

From the scuttlebutt, it looks like the Pels would like to be rid of EG, but with that contract and those knees, that looks like a long shot. Demps has somehow magically peddled away bad deals in the past to some foolish teams, but in the case of EG, I fear we may be stuck with him.

Now, for the record, I love Monty and would love to keep him, but this is the NBA. Benson has always given his Saints coaches a long time before he dispenses of them. (He has only fired 2 coaches in his tenure: He kept Ditka after two 6-10 years and only fired him after 3-13 and let Haslett fire off one mediocre .500 year after another before disposing of him after 3-13) NBA coaches however have a shorter shelf life, and in the Association, there are only so many 20ish win seasons that the GM will accept before he feels compelled to change things, regardless of the reason for said bad season.

So, if the Pels don't at least sniff the postseason next year, I can see Demps saying to Benson/Loomis: we all love Monty, but this is not the NFL. In this league if you go 3 seasons without being in playoff contention, you make a change.

So, who is a Pelican longer: Monty or Gordon?

[BallSoHard]

Monty

[FlyGirl]

[BallSoHard]

FYI, he just left CC's in old metairie

[Kurgan]

The one who is there for 82 games

[hagios]

From the scuttlebutt, it looks like the Pels would like to be rid of EG,

By "scuttlebutt," I assume you mean comments made by Pelicans fans on message boards?

I don't know if the Pels would like to be rid of EG. I think they would like to improve their roster by any means necessary.

That being said, I think Monty will be here longer.

[NOLa.]

The one who is there for 82 games

Winner winner.

[Eman5805]

There was that news report/rumor I saw somewhere that we'd shop Gordon around. Hopefully his healthy finish to the season raises his value a bit. But, bottom line, either we are all in on Gordon and need to reaffirm that to him and to us fans, or we need to move him ASAP. Being non-committal does no one any good. He could come to resent us for it, teammate morale might drop seeing us be shaky with our own players, and his trade value stands to depreciate regardless.

[cki3915]

I do not have a link, but i seem to remember Loomis or Demps or someone from the FO being quoted as saying they would listen to trade offers for EG if any came their way. You do not make tose kinds of statements about players you want to keep.

[rebelman]

Monty

[luckyman]

There was that news report/rumor I saw somewhere that we'd shop Gordon around. Hopefully his healthy finish to the season raises his value a bit. But, bottom line, either we are all in on Gordon and need to reaffirm that to him and to us fans, or we need to move him ASAP. Being non-committal does no one any good. He could come to resent us for it, teammate morale might drop seeing us be shaky with our own players, and his trade value stands to depreciate regardless.

Dell said in an interview that they'd listen to offers for Gordon and nothing is guaranteed roster wise. I guess that means they aren't actively shopping him but they'll listen.

I personally didn't like the comment unless they are truely and actively looking to trade. That's not something you say out loud otherwise.

[Davisistheman]

This shouldn't even be a debate much less an interesting one.

Monty will be here long after Gordon is gone. Monty and Dell's job security will not even be questioned (except by fans) until Davis is due to be resigned. Then the team will be evaluated accordingly.

IMO

[RaisingTheBar]

Monty

[da ThRONe]

Dell said in an interview that they'd listen to offers for Gordon and nothing is guaranteed roster wise. I guess that means they aren't actively shopping him but they'll listen.

I personally didn't like the comment unless they are truely and actively looking to trade. That's not something you say out loud otherwise.

Especially about a guy who seems to be easily offended like Gordon.

[Snarly]

They're looking to trade him imo. The only comments that should be made regarding the guy agreed to give the max to is "untouchable" and that's definitely not the vibe we sense from the staff. It is what it is.

[da ThRONe]

They're looking to trade him imo. The only comments that should be made regarding the guy agreed to give the max to is "untouchable" and that's definitely not the vibe we sense from the staff. It is what it is.

I thought the whole situation seemed weird. It seems like we were forced to give Gordon that deal. It doesn't feel like he earned it.

[cki3915]

I thought the whole situation seemed weird. It seems like we were forced to give Gordon that deal. It doesn't feel like he earned it.

I don't know if they were forced to, but I think 2 forces were in play:

1. When healthy, he is one of the best shooting guards in the league. If he can stay off the injured list and stay focused, he can really help this team. It's hard to let that kind of talent walk away.

2. The FO doesn't want to come across to ther players that they will not give out big contracts. This was the third high profile guy to come up for renewal on the Demps watch, and the first 2 (CP3 and DWest) walked. I think they didn't wanna make the impression that the Pelicans will not pay their people. (yes i know that money was not the issue with CP3 and DWest).

[da ThRONe]

I don't know if they were forced to, but I think 2 forces were in play:

1. When healthy, he is one of the best shooting guards in the league. If he can stay off the injured list and stay focused, he can really help this team. It's hard to let that kind of talent walk away.

2. The FO doesn't want to come across to ther players that they will not give out big contracts. This was the third high profile guy to come up for renewal on the Demps watch, and the first 2 (CP3 and DWest) walked. I think they didn't wanna make the impression that the Pelicans will not pay their people. (yes i know that money was not the issue with CP3 and DWest).

I don't really buy that. If we would have signed Gordon out right instead of matching PHX deal this would have merit. It's hard to believe that Demps truly believed EJ was worth a max deal.

[Tomdda]

He could come to resent us for it, teammate morale might drop seeing us be shaky with our own players, and his trade value stands to depreciate regardless.

If, and I know it's a big if, Gordon plays every game next season leading up to the All-Star break at his previous high level, I don't see why his trade value wouldn't be considerably higher than it is now. Please explain why you think "his trade value stands to depreciate regardless".

[Mr. Mojo]

It's hard to believe that Demps truly believed EJ was worth a max deal.

He may not have. But if another GM believes he is? Well then it wouldn't matter, would it?

I doubt that Dell doubts his ability to move Gordon for AT LEAST SOMETHING.

Letting Gordon walk would have been the George Shinn way of doing things. This ownership/management has the resources, savvy and patience to find talent even if they must overpay at times and in ways that aren't detrimental to the team's flexibility.

[da ThRONe]

He may not have. But if another GM believes he is? Well then it wouldn't matter, would it?

I doubt that Dell doubts his ability to move Gordon for AT LEAST SOMETHING.

Letting Gordon walk would have been the George Shinn way of doing things. This ownership/management has the resources, savvy and patience to find talent even if they must overpay at times and in ways that aren't detrimental to the team's flexibility.

Oh I understand why Demps matched the offer sheet. However that doesn't change my point. Demps didn't think Gordon was worth the max.

There was a window after we tried to get a deal done with Gordon where we could have traded him. I felt that we should have then. A season later there's no reason to think Gordon stock is higher now and he has a max deal to boot.

[R_Ash]

Eric Gordon may have played his last game in NO

[luckyman]

If, and I know it's a big if, Gordon plays every game next season leading up to the All-Star break at his previous high level, I don't see why his trade value wouldn't be considerably higher than it is now. Please explain why you think "his trade value stands to depreciate regardless".

From the Pelicans standpoint, if he's playing well and helping put this team into playoff position there is no reason to trade him. I highly doubt he would want to leave at that point either since he has never experienced being on a winning, playoff caliber NBA team with nothing but upside before.

[kclaboy504]

Monty should be here much longer than Gordon. Not even close IMO.

[takezor]

Imo Monty will, no doubt, stay longer than Gordon on the team.