Aaron Gordon

[Bigbrotheryeti]

I think it's very telling that the Celtics are including Aaron Gordon in a SF workout, rather than in a PF workout (based on who else is included in today's group).  I'm very excited to see that the C's see Gordon more as a slight shooting prospect at the 3 than as a slightly undersized 4.  I agree with Kevin O'Connor's assertion that Gordon projects to be much more successful as a 3 than as a 4, and I think this lends credence to that assessment.  It also seems to support the idea that Boston like him a lot (given that they're going somewhat against the grain to ensure he fits with their current roster lineup).

I've been high on Gordon for a while now, thanks to the under the radar tools that he has at his disposal.  Sure he's athletic, but he's also an incredibly hard worker who has both a humble demeanor and an appreciably high intellect.  The kid is going to work hard, and work intelligently, to improve his game, and he has the defense to ensure that he gets enough playing time to develop his skills in-game.  Plus, he will go after every loose ball, and bring an additional competitive attitude to a Boston locker room that lives with a chip on it's shoulder.  That's the sort of player I want on my team.

[Birdman]

I would really be happy if we get Gordon..10 years from now, he may be top 3 out of this class

[NorthernLightning]

Yeah he's going to be one of the best players in the league, and he would fit absolutely perfectly next to Sully and KO, as well as at PF against the more athletic ones.

He's going to be basically unguardable within a few years, bullying SFs and blowing past PFs, in addition to being one of the very best defenders at the ideal size to guard the league's biggest stars.

Like a stronger, smarter Paul George.

[manl_lui]

Yeah he's going to be one of the best players in the league, and he would fit absolutely perfectly next to Sully and KO, as well as at PF against the more athletic ones.

He's going to be basically unguardable within a few years, bullying SFs and blowing past PFs, in addition to being one of the very best defenders at the ideal size to guard the league's biggest stars.

Like a stronger, smarter Paul George.

you have very high hopes for him...

[NorthernLightning]

you have very high hopes for him...

Believe me, I went through the phase of thinking he might just be a glorified garbage man. But because of his size/athleticism combo, in addition to his IQ, work ethic, and passing vision, he's going to put it all together and be one of the great ones in the league.

With KO and Sully spreading the floor, he's going to destroy opposing SFs inside, in addition to being about as good as Lebron on the fast break, in addition to his shot making steady progress like anybody else, in addition to being a defense first player who always makes the right rotation.

[Evantime34]

I am a huge fan of his. I wouldn't be shocked if he ended up slipping (like most mocks have him doing) allowing us to trade back, still get him and acquire another asset.

Gordon has a high ceiling in that he is extremely young and athletic. I think he will be able to come in and immediately play very good defense as well as give you offensive boards and run the break. I think his ability to play defense immediately will allow him to get the early minutes that will help him develop more quickly than a player who doesn't see the court for a couple years.

[Donoghus]

I just wish this kid has some semblance of a proficient offensive game. 

This Celtics team needs scoring in the worst way.

[NorthernLightning]

I even think he could play some defense on certain shooting guard matchups before he bulks up too much more.

Rondo
Gordon
Green
Sully
KO

On offense in those situations he'd be working within 15 feet of the hoop, bullying the shooting guard who is stuck guarding him.

[Celtics4ever]

He's going to be basically unguardable within a few years, bullying SFs and blowing past PFs, in addition to being one of the very best defenders at the ideal size to guard the league's biggest stars.

That is good because right now he can't shoot at all.   They won't have to guard him at all presently.   Gimme a break.  He is good at dunks and alley oops other than that he can't make two with a pencil.

[Tr1boy]

Im afraid the jazz will take him. If danny likes him alot I can see him using a future 1st to move up

If he doesnt care and likes gordon, smart or even vonleh then I trust his judgement

[NorthernLightning]

He's going to be basically unguardable within a few years, bullying SFs and blowing past PFs, in addition to being one of the very best defenders at the ideal size to guard the league's biggest stars.

That is good because right now he can't shoot at all.   They won't have to guard him at all presently.   Gimme a break.  He is good at dunks and alley oops other than that he can't make two with a pencil.

You give me a break with that ignorance, repeated over and over as if it was a given.

He shot 35% from 3, and by all reports he hit 70-75% of his free throws in practice even before he changed his shooting form this summer, to make his free throw stroke the same as his regular shooting stroke.

He clearly had and might continue to have a psychological quirk with his free throws, but I think he'll be shooting at 60-70% from the line going forward.

Give me a break. Give me a big break. And he shot amazingly well near the rim, and that's not going to change as he gets stronger and stronger. He won't need to rely on long 2s or 3s for his points, even when they do become steady weapons.

[CM0]

He's going to be basically unguardable within a few years, bullying SFs and blowing past PFs, in addition to being one of the very best defenders at the ideal size to guard the league's biggest stars.

That is good because right now he can't shoot at all.   They won't have to guard him at all presently.   Gimme a break.  He is good at dunks and alley oops other than that he can't make two with a pencil.

You give me a break with that ignorance, repeated over and over as if it was a given.

He shot 35% from 3, and by all reports he hit 70-75% of his free throws in practice even before he changed his shooting form this summer, to make his free throw stroke the same as his regular shooting stroke.

He clearly had and might continue to have a psychological quirk with his free throws, but I think he'll be shooting at 60-70% from the line going forward.

Give me a break. Give me a big break. And he shot amazingly well near the rim, and that's not going to change as he gets stronger and stronger. He won't need to rely on long 2s or 3s for his points, even when they do become steady weapons.

His decent 3pt% gets overlooked a lot, and does his handle and passing abilities. I don't understand why people don't think he can play the 3. It's not as if there's some strict mold that all SFs need to fit into offensively. He will have no problems whatsoever guarding SFs and could even guard the 2 at a high-level. He's a valuable role-player on offense as-is and could develop into much more.

I'm warming to the idea of Gordon at #6 but I still have Smart ahead of him. With reports of Vonleh being out of shape, Randle having a foot issue and the Jazz liking Smart, I think it's almost assured that Gordon will be the pick if the Celtics stay at #6.

[D.o.s.]

I think a player can develop awesome weak side help defense so so much easier than a player can develop the ability to shoot. Gordon shot an almost incomprehensible 27.5% on 2 point jumpers, 42% from the line and even though he shot 35% from 3 that was a college three and the sample size is very small since he only attempted 45 all year. As a comparison a three point specialist like Trevor Cooney at Syracuse attempted 225 and Andrew Wiggins considered a decent three point shooter that used it as part of his arsenal on offense, shot 125.

Quote that 35% from three all you want, it means nothing taken in context. He's a bad shooter.

[Donoghus]

I think a player can develop awesome weak side help defense so so much easier than a player can develop the ability to shoot. Gordon shot an almost incomprehensible 27.5% on 2 point jumpers, 42% from the line and even though he shot 35% from 3 that was a college three and the sample size is very small since he only attempted 45 all year. As a comparison a three point specialist like Trevor Cooney at Syracuse attempted 225 and Andrew Wiggins considered a decent three point shooter that used it as part of his arsenal on offense, shot 125.

Quote that 35% from three all you want, it means nothing taken in context. He's a bad shooter.

I keep thinking about the old adage about putting lipstick on a pig.

[KGs Knee]

He's going to be basically unguardable within a few years, bullying SFs and blowing past PFs, in addition to being one of the very best defenders at the ideal size to guard the league's biggest stars.

That is good because right now he can't shoot at all.   They won't have to guard him at all presently.   Gimme a break.  He is good at dunks and alley oops other than that he can't make two with a pencil.

You give me a break with that ignorance, repeated over and over as if it was a given.

He shot 35% from 3, and by all reports he hit 70-75% of his free throws in practice even before he changed his shooting form this summer, to make his free throw stroke the same as his regular shooting stroke.

He clearly had and might continue to have a psychological quirk with his free throws, but I think he'll be shooting at 60-70% from the line going forward.

Give me a break. Give me a big break. And he shot amazingly well near the rim, and that's not going to change as he gets stronger and stronger. He won't need to rely on long 2s or 3s for his points, even when they do become steady weapons.

He shot 35% from 3pt on what, 45 attempts or something like that? That's less than 2 attempts per game, meaning he made less than 1 3pt shot per game. There is nothing about that to brag on, it's bad. The dude shot 29% on 2pt fg attempts outside of 8 ft, basically midrange shots.  Yes, he made a ton of layups, thus boosting his overall FG%, but those are layups he will struggle to get against NBA defenses.

Gordon is a horrific shooter, this is fact.

Gordon certainly is a superior athlete, but this is basketball, not track and field. I prefer basketball players have actual talent. Running fast and jumping high is not that impressive to me.