David Stern gets flak from a lot of different angles.  Most of it is deserved.  However, he also knows how to run the NBA.  He has built the NBA into a brand and made it so much more successful than it was when he took over.  He's always a fun listen or read when he has a conversation with someone as well.  He did just that with John Reid of the New Orleans Times Picayune.

The Commissioner covered a wide range of topics, but on that stuck out to me was a quick hit on Eric Gordon.  Stern was talking about the Chris Paul trade and the return New Orleans received in the deal. He said he thinks the Hornets got a good deal, but he wishes Eric Gordon were healthier.  And therein lies the problem with the Chris Paul trade.


The Hornet may have received a draft pick and used that pick to get Anthony Davis, but they were counting on Eric Gordon.  What they've got out of Gordon was a player who played nine games for the team last year and none this season.  Gordon's injury issues are well-documented, as are his desires to play for a team other than the Hornets.  However, he is stuck with New Orleans and they are stuck with him.

Had Gordon been healthy, the trade that sent Chris Paul to the Los Angeles Clippers would not look as lopsided.  As it stands now, the Hornets are making due at point guard rather than playing they guy they got in the trade and are sitting on a 5-11 record.  The Clippers on the other hand have one of the best point guards in the league, are 11-5, and are sitting in first place in their division.
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