The Phoenix Suns look like a completely new team - and that was by design.
The Suns haven't been able to escape the second round of the postseason in back to back years, and thus things from top to bottom have been shaken up. There's plenty of talent residing in the desert, and new ownership wants to ensure their potential doesn't just sit as potential.
Part of that has come on the trade market with massive names such as Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal arriving within the last few months - though if Phoenix is really going to make a push to win the NBA Finals, they'll need the help of everybody on the roster.
The Suns were able to string together an impressive free agency class, and though Eric Gordon was one of the later additions, his presence could ultimately prove to be vital as a shooter coming off the bench.
In an interview with The Arizona Republic's Duane Rankin, Gordon says winning immediately is the only goal in mind.
“I want to win one this year,” Gordon said. “We don’t want to wait. We want to win one this year.”
Gordon is joining from the Los Angeles Clippers, though long ago he once signed an offer sheet with Phoenix before New Orleans (his team at the time) matched it despite Gordon begging the organization not to.
“After that first go around, you never know what’s going to happen and what it all comes down to, but I’ve always thought this was a good spot,” Gordon said. “You’ve always heard Phoenix is a great city, great fans and they’ve become a winner over time. This is a hotbed destination.”
The former NBA Sixth Man of the Year and Three-Point Contest Champion has played in over 800 games since entering the league in 2008.
“I’ve always been a part of those moments,” said Gordon. “You can never be afraid. Once they pass me the ball in a tough, crucial time, I’m ready to knock down those shots in different moments. That’s the good thing about this team. We’ve got all those guys who’ve all been in that situation of trying to knock down shots. My game suits anybody.
“I feel very confident with the group. The talent is there. Now we’ve just got to let the season come and make sure the chemistry is there. If we can bottle all that up and point it in the right direction, then I think we’ll do something special.”
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