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Atlanta Hawks Game Preview: Feb. 2 at Houston Rockets

By Andrew Snyder

Feb 1, 2017; Miami, FL, USA; Atlanta Hawks center Dwight Howard (8) looks on from the court during the first half against the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 1, 2017; Miami, FL, USA; Atlanta Hawks center Dwight Howard (8) looks on from the court during the first half against the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 31, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets guard Eric Gordon (10) dribbles the ball as Sacramento Kings center Willie Cauley-Stein (00) defends during the second quarter at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 31, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets guard Eric Gordon (10) dribbles the ball as Sacramento Kings center Willie Cauley-Stein (00) defends during the second quarter at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /

Opposing Player(s) To Watch: Eric Gordon And Ryan Anderson

James Harden is Houston’s best player, but Eric Gordon may be their best story this season. Gordon’s career seemed snake-bitten during his time in New Orleans. His career has been defined by injuries and wasted potential.

He’s been reborn in Houston. Through 48 games Gordon is averaging 17.3 points per game on 42.1 percent shooting and 38.6 percent from outside. He’s gone from afterthought on the Pelicans to the second leading scorer on one of the best teams in the NBA. Quite the turnaround, indeed.

The same things can be said for Ryan Anderson. Anderson is the perfect stretch-four for Mike D’Antoni’s system. Anderson is averaging 14.2 points per game on 43.1 percent and 41.2 percent from deep. It’s nice to see a person like Anderson have this kind of success. His last few seasons have been marred by injuries and personal tragedy.

With Anderson and Gordon surrounding James Harden this offense is seemingly impossible to stop. Your options are to collapse on Harden and allow him to dish the ball to a wide open shooter, or allow Harden to wreak havoc in the paint. Neither of those is a palatable option.

It just goes to show that if you can shoot Mike D’Antoni will find a place for you on his team.

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