I don't think Gordon HAS to be a great shooter if he plays SF, IF he has a good post game. If we have a lineup with Sully and KO (or any one of them with Love, who people salivate over), they stretch the floor enough. If KO can shoot like he did second half of the season and Sully can improve, they can provide enough space for Gordon to live inside like LeBron does (although he is a much improved as a shooter). If only Green would attack more, he would be perfect with those guys, I don't know why they made Green shoot so many 3s. All AB needs to do is shoot just as he did last season (could improve some but doesn't have to) and RR get his touch back inside, I think that's a nice group. It doesn't have to be Gordon but I would like a SF who can be strong inside the paint. KO and Sully will pull both bigs out, leaving the paint wide open for what RR is best at or when RR keeps the bigs on him inside, KO and Sully can light them up from mid range and the 3 (or RR can light them up from mid range too). This is why RR worked so well with guys like KG and Ray, RR didn't have to be a threat from 3. What is an opponent to do if their bigs don't know what to defend? KO and Sully can work inside too, as the season went on KO became stronger and could handle contact inside better and Sully will put the put on you any time LOL. Miami would get eaten alive by a team like that... the fact that those guys can rebound well too, that would be very nice. People ragged on how KO would do as a rebounder but he did well this season in 20m he got 2 offensive and 3 defensive rbs a game, we all know Sully's potential, RR is one of the best rebounding PGs, AB before he got injured was top 10 at both SG and PG position, Green is a mess most of the time but he doesn't have to be great at it... now if we can keep Hump for the bench (cheap rate), he will snatch up his share and then some.
Not just Miami but all the best teams this season would struggle against that type of team. I think this is why Stevens made Sully and KO shoot from distance so much. I know KO and Sully struggle defensively but Sully can definitely defend better and KO is a wait and see. AB, RR, and Green or whoever can defend very good to great so I don't worry as much about Sully and KO as long as they get help D down pat, which even with what KO did (didn't do this season), I think he is capable of at least that. As tired as the opponents will be after struggling to contain our offense, even a top 10 defense would be enough (that's a realistic goal for us too).
I don't know, maybe I just see too much from this group but I think with growth and hard work, that can be a formidable team. All of those guys are hard workers (Sully is a little questionable in that department but look what he does even given that).
With as many picks as we have over the next few years we can build the bench up and/or replace guys in the starting lineup (as long as we don't give all the picks away).
I know most everyone is expecting a contender next season but that's not likely, it's rare that a team goes from bottom/near it to contender the next season. All the guys, including RR, have time to grown into an excellent team. Even if RR isn't patient enough to go through just making the playoffs and/or advancing a few rounds for a couple seasons, we have the assets to acquire the people who can.
We have the assets to make this team it's best, all we have to do is be patient, that's one reason why Stevens got a 6yr deal.
Sorry I put this in this thread but I like Gordon for the type of team we seem to be building... I would be happy with any SF like that (at least what I think he could be). Again, Green could be that guy, but if I was able to choose I would like someone a little more willing to beast inside than Green seems to be willing to.