Houston Rockets: 5 things we learned from the preseason

2. Eric Gordon could repeat as the Sixth Man of the Year

Last year, Eric Gordon edged out Andre Iguodala and Lou Williams to win the Sixth Man of the Year Award. The nine-year vet averaged 16.2 points, 2.7 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game. He also made 246 3-pointers, which ranked fourth in the NBA. Judging from his play in the preseason, Gordon could end up winning the Sixth Man of the Year for a consecutive season.

In five preseason games, Gordon averaged 19.0 points and he shot 49.2 percent from the floor and 48.9 percent from the 3-point line. He averaged 4.6 3’s per game, which would put him at a blistering 377 made 3’s if he could keep that pace for an entire season.

Gordon was probably the most consistent scorer on the Rockets throughout the preseason. He’s developed the ability to make pull-up and catch-and-shoot 3’s, which makes him very difficult to defend. We’ll also see him share the floor with either Chris Paul or James Harden at almost all times during the game, so he’ll never be the first option on the second unit like in previous years. Having another playmaker on the court with Gordon will allow him to assume his favorite role: being a spot up 3-point shooter.

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