Gordon like Celtics

[sofutomygaha]

Lot of people on this board are high on Gordon, I will admit not to have seen him play. But to me he sounds like a tweener that can't hit 3s.

Right now I'd be disappointed if we ended up with him, I just don't see where he fits on the team.

I hear ya. Seems like he's projected to play PF, but he has no post game and isn't a great rebounder. He already looks pretty well developed, so I don't know how much bulk he's going to end up with to play down low either.

Great hustle, however.

It's a shame to overlook how good a defender and a passer he is as well. I agree with you guys that it's a big hole when a guy can't shoot, but we have seen that when elite smarts are combined with elite athleticism, particularly in guys so young, you can end up with some pretty remarkable players.

[notthebowler]

According to the insightful interview with Ainge that was recently posted, Aaron Gordon is "a guy."

So that's something to get excited about =)

I caught that too, and thought it was hilarious.  It was clearly not an intentional slam by Danny, just funny the way it came out:

Player A is really good at this.  Player B is really good at that.  Aaron Gordon is a guy we talked too as well. 

[Celtics18]

This is the issue I have with arguments against Gordon.  Do people not understand that these are skills that can be taught and improved upon and that the kid is only 18.  Paul George coming out of college had similar indictments, and he made improvements.  Most players that care about their game, which Gordon appears does, will improve with good coaching and time.  He's a safe risk.  as for Exum, the guy is overrated. we've seen minimal of what he can do and of what I've seen him do, I'm not impressed.  What bugs me about CB is that people seem caught up on stats.  Basketball is more mental and the ability to adjust and improve.  I think we have a coach that is of the same mindset and we need guys in here that want to do that.

I understand your point, but this kid is not the proverbial late bloomer.  He's been playing his whole life and he has an older brother in the league.  If he just picked up the game 4 years ago and is shooting worse than my 96 year old grandmother you could argue that as being fixable.  However, he's been playing since he could walk and skill-wise it looks like he just picked up a ball for the first time yesterday.  Given his background, Gordon's skill level is absolutely embarrassing.

His jump shot looks a bit broken, but I would have a hard time agreeing that his skill level is "embarrassing."  From everything I've seen heard, and read, the kid is very skilled.  He can pass, he can finish, he's got some handles, he understand the game.  It's not like he's just a completely raw athlete. 

[Boston Garden Leprechaun]

Yea, Vonleh didn't strike me as a heady kid.  Gordon, on the other hand was quick with his answers and knew what to say.  Even his comment about the 22 pennies and the delay proved that he was strategically manipulating time to figure out a solution.  Gordon seems like he just wants to always get better.  My concern was that he says he gets hard on himself.  Thats good and bad, but at 18 he's already got some great upside.  I'm finding a hard time why some people cant see this kid being picked by us at 5 as a no brainer, even with Smart/Exum/Randle on the board.

Because he has a poor offensive game due to bad shooting mechanics. Given this, other players appear to have more potential for helping a team win games.

If you disagree, fine. But these are honest differences of opinion.

Differences in opinion is the fuel behind all Celticsblog's Forum's arguments. About 1 in 1000000 arguments ever end in anyone being remotely persuaded, however.

LOL

[clover]

It's going to comedown to the individual workouts. If Gordon has improved his jump shot as he said he has, he will rise.  If Smart has a good workout and is not missing jump shots, the same.

Unless the Celts get to draft in the top 4, imo its going to comedown to Gordon, Smart, Randle.

Vonleh as much as i think can fit with the Celts and play some center, might of screwed up his chances to be considered when he said, "The Celtics haven't really been too good the past couple of years, but I wouldn't mind playing for them."

Out of all the top prospects, excluding Embiid cause I haven't seen any recent interviews, Vonleh's interviews and body language was pretty bad. Not that a bad interviewee is a guaranteed bust,
 But if you're not smart enough to say good things about your hometown team that needs anything evening resembling a center...

What was wrong with Vonleh's body language?

[footey]

Aaron Gordon is a serious basketball player. He has tremendous energy. When you watch him off the ball on offense, you see that he is constantly thinking of where to put himself on the court to maximize his value on the set.   Very few players, even great scorers, do this. They are often just spectators. Aaron Gordon will not be the guy who becomes the great scorer that Danny is seeking, maybe that guy will be Saric or Exum, but he will be the guy you just love having on your team.  To reduce him to someone who just dunks a lot and nothing else, shows an underappreciation of this kid's talents.

[lon3lytoaster]

It's going to comedown to the individual workouts. If Gordon has improved his jump shot as he said he has, he will rise.  If Smart has a good workout and is not missing jump shots, the same.

Unless the Celts get to draft in the top 4, imo its going to comedown to Gordon, Smart, Randle.

Vonleh as much as i think can fit with the Celts and play some center, might of screwed up his chances to be considered when he said, "The Celtics haven't really been too good the past couple of years, but I wouldn't mind playing for them."

Out of all the top prospects, excluding Embiid cause I haven't seen any recent interviews, Vonleh's interviews and body language was pretty bad. Not that a bad interviewee is a guaranteed bust,
 But if you're not smart enough to say good things about your hometown team that needs anything evening resembling a center...

What was wrong with Vonleh's body language?

Overall in his combine interviews I wasn't impressed. Maybe not as much bad body language ( although I don't think it was great regardless) but he just seemed a little slow in interviews and uncharismatic. Just wasn't impressed.

[Celtics18]

It's going to comedown to the individual workouts. If Gordon has improved his jump shot as he said he has, he will rise.  If Smart has a good workout and is not missing jump shots, the same.

Unless the Celts get to draft in the top 4, imo its going to comedown to Gordon, Smart, Randle.

Vonleh as much as i think can fit with the Celts and play some center, might of screwed up his chances to be considered when he said, "The Celtics haven't really been too good the past couple of years, but I wouldn't mind playing for them."

Out of all the top prospects, excluding Embiid cause I haven't seen any recent interviews, Vonleh's interviews and body language was pretty bad. Not that a bad interviewee is a guaranteed bust,
 But if you're not smart enough to say good things about your hometown team that needs anything evening resembling a center...

What was wrong with Vonleh's body language?

I've got to agree about Vonleh.  When I've seen him, he just doesn't look comfortable in his own skin compared to the other top youngsters like Gordon, Exum, and Randle.  He looks a bit shy, nervous, awkward.  In fact, at eighteen, he comes across as still very much a kid.

Now, he could mature as he ages, but I'll bet that's going to be a legitimate concern among NBA GMs compared to those other kids who already seem to have the mentality to be able to go into the NBA and succeed as pros. 

[clover]

Lot of people on this board are high on Gordon, I will admit not to have seen him play. But to me he sounds like a tweener that can't hit 3s.

Right now I'd be disappointed if we ended up with him, I just don't see where he fits on the team.

I hear ya. Seems like he's projected to play PF, but he has no post game and isn't a great rebounder. He already looks pretty well developed, so I don't know how much bulk he's going to end up with to play down low either.

Great hustle, however.

I agree that Exum sounds a lot smarter, and smarter guys tend to seem more mature earlier, but I didn't really see that much of a difference among the others. Randle's a bit older. I don't mind a shy guy as long as he plays aggressively and Vonleh seems to do that just fine. Also, the closer to the basket a player plays the less intellect he seems to need anyway. None of these guys are geniuses.

[rollie mass]

gordon- has natural physique that looks like he will fill out somewhat like blake griffin-great lateral movement  and footwork and  gets over top of screens--18 year olds often have coasted on physical attributes and athleticism- i think he will take time to fill out and be an NBA offensive player but d a different story--quickness ,defensive heart and IQ along with his kind of lateral quickness in a big guy ,can't be taught---anybody remember wilt chamberlain and foul shooting -greatest scorer in history just imagine what he could have done and  how many championships it lost-it was hilarious watching his futile attempts and styles

[playdream]

Gordon is already a elite defender that can defend multiple position
and he is young enough to learn to be a good shooter and has the tools to be a good rebounder
He can very likely be an all-star after 3-4 years

[SHAQATTACK]

If he was three inches taller .....well I'd be on the Gordon bandwagon.

We need a serious center , a big Gortat sized dude who can play other Gortat sized dudes and protect the paint .

We need a huge body to clogg the paint


He would,be a nice role player or energy guy off the bench ,  crowd fav and fun to watch .....but the need for an elite scorer and center are too important .

[SHAQATTACK]

Gordon wif MR Spock ear s

[dreamgreen]

I believe when people say he a good defender already and that's great. But right now this team needs all 3 things that good teams have.

1. rim protector
2. all around scorer/finisher
3. 3 point specialist

He doesn't fill any of those roles, I still say bad pick for us.

[clover]

It seems to me as if MKG and Harrison Barnes, taken #2 and #7 respectively in 2012, were the closest recent players to Gordon. Both with mediocre shooting, but defense, athleticism, and intangibles that had them taken higher.

So far, both have underwhelmed in the NBA.