The NBA Playoffs were scheduled to begin this past weekend but just like so many other businesses and lives right now, everything has been put on hold for the time being. For Houston Rockets and former Indiana Hoosiers guard Eric Gordon, it was frustrating to see the season come to a halt like it did due to the team they had.
“Yeah, you know we were a championship caliber team and so it's tough we couldn't finish it," Gordon told Indiana Sports Beat. "Hopefully we are able to resume soon here and see who can become the champion this year.”
Because of the inability to be in their practice facilities, players have had to adjust to the new normal of finding different ways to work out and stay active. For Gordon, however, he will be ready whenever the NBA announces a resumption of play.
"Our parks aren’t closed so I still workout, do a bit more running and that sort," Gordon said. "I should be in decent shape whenever they [NBA] announce it will get back going…. I'll get worried if they don’t have a decision by mid May. It’ll be troublesome for us but we’ll see what happens though."
In the meantime, Gordon has been able to focus on a new business venture; opening up a pizzeria in Bloomington.
"I've always loved pizza and thought it would be a good opportunity in Bloomington," Gordon explained. "I want to have a staple in Bloomington down there for sure."
"It's called Greeks Pizzeria... All of their pizza is very good and very unique so I was like 'man let me get on board with that' and started branching this out to different places," Gordon added. "Maybe Houston someday but definitely wanted it in Indiana first."
Greeks Pizza is a franchise and Gordon will be bringing his location right across the street from Memorial Stadium.
"Literally you can't miss it," Gordon said. "It's right across the street from the football stadium in those apartments... it's going to be decorative memorabilia. I have to make it feel more at home and bring out the history of all of the sports in Indiana."
With the NBA and college seasons always going on at the same time, finding time to get back to Bloomington has been tough. Now with his own restaurant opening up, he sees it as a great opportunity to get back home.
"You know what, I wish [getting back to Bloomington]. I wish I could get to a game," Gordon added. "Our seasons are parallel with each other so it’s so tough to get to a game. So that'll [his restaurant] for sure force me to get down there much more."
Despite not being able to visit much, he still has love for his Hoosiers and those who have been involved in the program's success and history. Gordon played his one season for Indiana in 2007-08 under Kelvin Sampson and still has a great relationship with him.
“It’s a great time. Me and him [Sampson] stay close and I am still close with him today," Gordon said. "I don’t think he got the right love and recognition at IU even though he did well there. Wherever he's been he's taken teams farther than they were expected to go. He's won wherever he's been."
Growing up in Indiana and having such a tie to the state, Gordon believes the program is in the right hands with Archie Miller and notes recruiting as a main reason why.
"That’s good. That’s the key [getting in-state players]. When you get some of the top ball players in Indiana you're going to give yourself a chance," Gordon emphasized. "Kids in Indiana are just more skilled… kids in the Midwest period. I like how the team is doing. They are hitting strides. We have to get to the point where the consistency of winning at home and on the road… they struggle on the road. You can tell they have good chemistry with the coach though."
Because of his love for the state, he has always remained active in giving back and helping kids develop. Part of that is through the family's E3 Basketball Academy.
“It is special. My dad has put me and my brothers in the best situation possible… to have that ability with other kids and the E3 Academy," Gordon said. "My dad has been doing it for a while now. He’s going to keep doing it... I've seen kids when they are really young to now going into college. It’s been a good transition to see.”
To listen to the rest of the interview and more, check out the tweet below.
----
• Talk about it inside The Hoops Forum or The Football Forum
• Subscribe to our podcast on iTunes
• Follow us on Twitter: @IndianaRivals
• Like us on Facebook.
