New Orleans Pelicans Pixels: Eric Gordon is frustrating

New Orleans Pelicans guard Eric Gordon’s disappointment has been frustrating to say the least, just like Carth Onasi from Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic.

It’s not all advanced stats and critiques of the front office here at Pelican Debrief. Nope. We can have fun, too. Pelicans Pixels is a series in which the writers at Pelican Debrief make a humorous comparison between a video character and a Pelicans players. Why did we do this? No particular reason; we’re just big kids at heart. We hope you enjoy reading Pelicans Pixels as much as we enjoyed writing the series.

Eric Gordon‘s contract with the New Orleans Pelicans has expired. With changes in the roster looking imminent, Gordon’s time in New Orleans is likely over. Looking back on his time here, it really becomes apparent how frustrating those five seasons were for fans and Eric alike.

While the expectations were pretty standard when he came to the team in 2011, it became a complete disaster due to massive injuries and poor play. Gordon failed to play more than 64 games in any of the past five seasons. He’s been a massive disappointment to dedicated fans. Just like the great disappointment of Carth Onasi’s character in Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic.

In Knights of the Old Republic, you play a soldier in the Galactic Republic on a ship transporting Bastila, a Jedi of vast importance to an unknown location. During the mission, the ship is overtaken by the Sith, and you must find the escape pods as one of the last people left on board. The person that leads you to those escape pods and joins you for the rest of your journey is one of the Republic’s top pilots, Carth Onasi.

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Carth has some great traits that could have made him a great character in the game. He’s the first character to join you and learn about as you play. He’s got a deep backstory that sheds light on his struggles. He wields two guns, making him a great marksman in battle. He’s a noble soldier, who is loyal to a fault. He seems like a perfect fit for the team. However once you actually put him in your squad, it becomes regrettable.

While Carth Onasi has some interesting backstory, his whining and complaining becomes annoying very quickly. It becomes a frustrating add-on to what was expected to be a very interesting character. Every time you try to discuss anything with him, he complains about your character “prying too much” and “he doesn’t trust anyone”. While it makes sense for his character, it’s offputting for the player.

It gets even worse once you start getting other characters for your party. There comes the realization that each character is not only more entertaining in conversations, but better in battle than Carth. While Onasi has range with his guns, he never really does enough damage to give you proper aid in combat. Carth’s damage is not enough to warrant him in the party for an extended period, which is such a let down. Just like Eric Gordon.

Eric Gordon came to this team as one of the top shooting guard prospects in the NBA. The potential was really there. However, he never panned out. Gordon never really expressed a “leader” personality and seemed more of a “side character” to the Pelicans than a major piece.

In his voice acting for NBA2k15, Gordon did not get rave reviews by the fans who played the game. Just like Carth, the personality he could have brought to the team never showed. That’s nothing compared to his gameplay.

Just like Onasi, many players have now joined the Pelicans that are more promising and more fun to watch than Gordon. He can still shoot the ball and score effectively, but he’s an absolute disaster on the defensive side of the ball and doesn’t add much other than scoring. Like Carth, if he’s not shooting constantly, there’s not a ton of use for him on the court.

Next: New Orleans Pelicans Draft Profiles: Malik Beasley

It’s sad to look at how much potential Eric Gordon had for the future of the New Orleans Pelicans, even after five years of pure frustration. The injuries stalled his career and will likely force him to look for employment on another NBA roster. He’ll get a contract, that’s still a given. But for what he could have meant and been to this roster, just like what Carth Onasi could have been to one of the best role playing games of all time, the results gave everyone involved a bucket of sadness. May the force be with you, Eric.