Eric Gordon in Dime #28

At yesterday’s NBA Draft Media Day we got a chance to throw some questions at a bunch of the guys you’ll see don the Draft Cap and get that long-awaited photo op with the Commish tonight. Throughout the day we’ll be hitting you with those Q&A’s…

ERIC GORDON, SG, INDIANA (20.9 points, 3.3 rebounds, 1.3 steals)

Dime: You’ve probably seen your name all over the Lottery as far as where you might go. Does it get nerve-wracking having no idea where you could end up?
Eric Gordon: No, not really. I’m just happy to be in this position to get drafted. I know a lot of things can still go on, so I just have to see what happens. But I’ve been hearing I’d go anywhere from, like, fourth to seventh.

Dime: Do you go into individual workouts feeling like you have to show teams something they don’t know you can do?
EG: No. They’ve pretty much seen what we can do in college, so from there on I think they’re just trying to see if you’ve been working on your game since the college basketball season ended. Basically they already know all about you.

Dime: The second half of your college season wasn’t as strong as the first half. Do you worry about that hurting your draft stock?
EG: I mean, I noticed it, definitely. With my wrist (injured) and the coaching (situation at Indiana), everything was downhill.

Dime: Does the feeling you have right now compare to the feeling you have the night before a big game?
EG: This is real different for me. It’s good to be in this situation. I’m kind of anxious at this point in time.

Dime: Do you see yourself as a point guard or a two in the pros?
EG: A lot of people have me playing more of a combo guard, but you never know. It depends on what the team needs. I think a point guard is more my type of game, I just didn’t play that style in college.

Dime: What have you been working on since you left Indiana?
EG: Being more of a point guard, working on those point-guard skills. I worked out a little bit with Tim Grover in Chicago, and worked out a lot with (personal trainer) Chris Thomas in Indy.

Dime: What do they have you do in the individual workouts for NBA teams?
EG: They put you through so many types of workouts, it’s been crazy. They want to see how well you can shoot, how well you can dribble. They’re trying to get a complete, overall picture.

Dime: Is working out in front of NBA scouts similar to being in high school and having college recruiters watching you?
EG: Oh no. I think it’s different because they’re right there — it’s just you and them. In high school everybody is there with the crowd and everything, it’s not just [the scouts] watching over you.

Dime: When you travel to different cities for workouts, are you also scoping them out as potential places to live?
EG: Not really. When you get this far, it really doesn’t matter where you end up unless it’s endorsement- and advertising-wise.

Dime: Have you gone up against any NBA players this offseason? Do you think that helps you get a sense of what it’ll be like in the League?
EG: No, I haven’t played against anybody in the NBA. Even if I did, though, it’s still a learning process for every rookie going to the NBA.