Is Aaron Gordon the Next Amar'e Stoudemire?

[TheFlex]

Similarities:  Super athletic, strong finisher, elite P&R forward, leaping rebounder (with elite second and third jumps).

Differences: Less of a shooter than AS, weaker post game than AS, higher BBIQ than AS, greater court vision than AS, better ball handling/passing than AS.

Bill Simmons recently said that Aaron Gordon reminded him of "Shawn Marion 2.0 with a dash of Blake and a dash of Kirilenko thrown in." Can we simplify that to say Stoudemire+Kirilenko? Obviously I'm referring to his ceiling, not his most realistic projection, but still.

Didn't understand the love affair some had with Gordon until I heard whispers that the Celtics also liked him. Having great respect for the Celtics front office and scouting team I checked him out and was pleasantly surprised. He's in the top three in terms of defensive potential in this draft (joined by Wiggins and Embiid), passes incredibly well out of double and triple teams, and plays with a Faried-esque motor. His shooting is worrisome, as is his post game, but if he can be just average in both areas, I believe he'll be an All-Star. It's promising that he's one of the youngest (if not the youngest) players in this draft, and he supposedly has a high-level work ethic.

I believe Randle is vastly overrated and am not yet sold on Vonleh, at least in terms of replacing one of my favorite Celtic players in Sully. I'm sold on Gordon, at least as a candidate to pick in the 5-10 range should we trade up. He's the only PF in the front end of this draft that I'm scared to pass up on, as he's the only PF in this draft that I believe could end up being better than Sullinger.

Thoughts?

[Spilling Green Dye]

No, I don't think Amare is a good comparison.  While Gordon is a superior defender now than Amare has been at any point, Amare is a true PF who in his prime was one of the most dangerous weapons offensively in the league.  He was exceptional at creating his own shot, and exceptional at work off of screens/etc to get open looks.  Conversely, Aaron Gordon will be a liability on offense early on.

[krumeto]

I think Simmons is dead on here.

I also think people are not so high on this kid because defense is harder to measure and appreciate than offense. After the holy 3, there is no one I'd rather take at 4 than Gordon.

[saltlover]

I think Simmons is dead on here.

I also think people are not so high on this kid because defense is harder to measure and appreciate than offense. After the holy 3, there is no one I'd rather take at 4 than Gordon.

I'd prefer Exum over Gordon, and frankly think Exum should be part of the Holy 4, I'd happily take Gordon at 5.  I'd be bummed to fall to 5, but I'd prefer Gordon to anyone in last year's draft, for example.

[Lucky17]

I keep hearing that Gordon is not only blessed with tremendous athleticism, but also a high BBIQ, and a terrific motor.

That's a tough package to pass up if he's on the board. I'd be happy if the Celtics got him.

[footey]

I think Simmons is dead on here.

I also think people are not so high on this kid because defense is harder to measure and appreciate than offense. After the holy 3, there is no one I'd rather take at 4 than Gordon.I'd prefer Exum over Gordon, and frankly think Exum should be part of the Holy 4, I'd happily take Gordon at 5.  I'd be bummed to fall to 5, but I'd prefer Gordon to anyone in last year's

draft, for example.

Me too, although I have a great interest in Gordon, and would put him at the next tier, by himself.  Wow if we could somehow manage to get both of them.