Aaron Gordon

[NorthernLightning]

on a completely unrelated note, remember this guy.



lock down, elite defense.  Can jump out of the gym.  Made for transition, athletically gifted.  Just needs to work on his jumpshot and develop and offense game and he'll be HUGE

He wasn't intelligent, wasn't a good passer, wasn't a good ball handler, and probably wasn't a good worker. This is why it's important not to just group all "athletes with potential" together like they're all the same. There are those other key factors besides athleticism that indicate whether a player is likely to continue developing and reach a high level.

Besides, nobody even wanted Kedrick Brown. He was drafted as some sort of deal with his super-agent by moron gm from the past.

as ridiculous as you think it is to lump players like this together like theyre all the same, it's just as ridiculous to believe EVERYTHING you read about these players and see on a draft video and walk around like it's a forgone conclusion that they will live up to all the hype theyre given, their games will translate perfectly, and their bodies will fill out exactly how everyone thinks they will.

I've watched about 8-10 full games of Arizona, specifically watching Aaron Gordon. Not sure where you got the idea otherwise but perhaps there's a bit of psychological projection involved.

It's no big mystery that 18 year olds get stronger. That's no roll of the dice. It's no mystery that Gordon was an elite defender on the #1 college team in the country last year. Nobody is doubting that Gordon is going to be a great defender in the NBA, and play with great heart. Nobody is questioning his work ethic or intangibles.

Nobody questions that he has pretty good passing vision, bbiq, decision making, and solid handles for a 6'9 guy.

You simply haven't done any serious research or watched much tape if you think that any or all of these things are some unknown mystery, so much that you compare him to Kedrick Brown.

The only question is whether Gordon is going to be a great defender who scores 12 ppg while playing selflessly, or whether he will be a great defender who scores 20 ppg while playing selflessly.

[CM0]

The only question is whether Gordon is going to be a great defender who scores 12 ppg while playing selflessly, or whether he will be a great defender who scores 20 ppg while playing selflessly.

I agree completely. Thus, the question is whether Gordon is deserving of a #6 pick in a loaded draft or whether he should be closer to #10. I've grown to believe that Gordon is worthy of a #6 pick.

[Tr1boy]

The only question is whether Gordon is going to be a great defender who scores 12 ppg while playing selflessly, or whether he will be a great defender who scores 20 ppg while playing selflessly.

I agree completely. Thus, the question is whether Gordon is deserving of a #6 pick in a loaded draft or whether he should be closer to #10. I've grown to believe that Gordon is worthy of a #6 pick.

even if he scores 12 a game he does so many other things it doesn't matter.  There are like 3 of him out there on the defensive end. Once he is zeroed in, he will do whatever i takes to slow you down. He asks to defend the teams best player late in the game also. He likes the spotlight

On the offensive end he needs this jump shot to work badly. And i mean watching the workout video he is not missing any actually. Maybe in a game setting it will be different, maybe its fixed.  I got a feeling everything will have to do with how he does on the FT line. If he can get that to about 70 percent we will be getting a steal here

[kozlodoev]

I got a feeling everything will have to do with how he does on the FT line. If he can get that to about 70 percent we will be getting a steal here

The real question is how many NBA players do you know that improved their free throw shooting by 30 percentage points over the course of their career. My sense is there aren't many.

[NorthernLightning]

I got a feeling everything will have to do with how he does on the FT line. If he can get that to about 70 percent we will be getting a steal here

The real question is how many NBA players do you know that improved their free throw shooting by 30 percentage points over the course of their career. My sense is there aren't many.

Because if he only shoots 60% his career will be a failure? You could be watching games right now, and sharing your personal observations, about this prospect or any other.

[kozlodoev]

I got a feeling everything will have to do with how he does on the FT line. If he can get that to about 70 percent we will be getting a steal here

The real question is how many NBA players do you know that improved their free throw shooting by 30 percentage points over the course of their career. My sense is there aren't many.

Because if he only shoots 60% his career will be a failure? You could be watching games right now, and sharing your personal observations, about this prospect or any other.

And you could be giving it a rest, but you aren't doing that either, are you?

[loco_91]

no brainer that he'd play the 3 in boston.

-we do not need another 4! Kelly, Sully and Bass are already crowding that position, and that's assuming we don't bring back hump.
-the 3 is his natural position size-wise, as he would be slightly short and very skinny for a 4.
-the 3 is his natural position skill-wise too. He has no post game. On the other hand, his faceup game is far more developed due to his handles and passing, and he is an elite perimeter defender. To be a good offensive wing he must add a respectable corner 3 (and hopefully a midrange jumper, too), but he can be average just based on transition, slashing, handling, passing, finishing.

Watching Kawhi Leonard is making me more enthusiastic about Gordon. He brings enormous value in a series against LeBron. Gordon can easily be as good as Kawhi if his shot develops better than expected.

[fitzhickey]

no brainer that he'd play the 3 in boston.

-we do not need another 4! Kelly, Sully and Bass are already crowding that position, and that's assuming we don't bring back hump.
-the 3 is his natural position size-wise, as he would be slightly short and very skinny for a 4.
-the 3 is his natural position skill-wise too. He has no post game. On the other hand, his faceup game is far more developed due to his handles and passing, and he is an elite perimeter defender. To be a good offensive wing he must add a respectable corner 3 (and hopefully a midrange jumper, too), but he can be average just based on transition, slashing, handling, passing, finishing.

Watching Kawhi Leonard is making me more enthusiastic about Gordon. He brings enormous value in a series against LeBron. Gordon can easily be as good as Kawhi if his shot develops better than expected.

No way in hell does Gordon reach Kawhi's level

[MBunge]

No way in hell does Gordon reach Kawhi's level

There's no way to know how a kid like Gordon is going to develop when you've only got one year of college ball to judge. 

Mike

[knuckleballer]

I got a feeling everything will have to do with how he does on the FT line. If he can get that to about 70 percent we will be getting a steal here

The real question is how many NBA players do you know that improved their free throw shooting by 30 percentage points over the course of their career. My sense is there aren't many.

Gerald Wallace is not a bad comp for Gordon.  Wallace shot 50, 52, and 45% in his first three seasons.  In his prime, he was at and close to 80%.

[kozlodoev]

I got a feeling everything will have to do with how he does on the FT line. If he can get that to about 70 percent we will be getting a steal here

The real question is how many NBA players do you know that improved their free throw shooting by 30 percentage points over the course of their career. My sense is there aren't many.

Gerald Wallace is not a bad comp for Gordon.  Wallace shot 50, 52, and 45% in his first three seasons.  In his prime, he was at and close to 80%.

In his first three seasons Gerald Wallace shot 130 free throws total while averaging 10 minutes a game.

But semantics aside, if Gordon develops as a 12 ppg guy  who plays great defense out of the combo forward position (like someone suggested), he'd be a poor man's Gerald Wallace / Josh Smith. Doesn't strike me as good value for the sixth pick, but to each their own.

[knuckleballer]

I got a feeling everything will have to do with how he does on the FT line. If he can get that to about 70 percent we will be getting a steal here

The real question is how many NBA players do you know that improved their free throw shooting by 30 percentage points over the course of their career. My sense is there aren't many.

Gerald Wallace is not a bad comp for Gordon.  Wallace shot 50, 52, and 45% in his first three seasons.  In his prime, he was at and close to 80%.

In his first three seasons Gerald Wallace shot 130 free throws total while averaging 10 minutes a game.

But semantics aside, if Gordon develops as a 12 ppg guy  who plays great defense out of the combo forward position (like someone suggested), he'd be a poor man's Gerald Wallace / Josh Smith. Doesn't strike me as good value for the sixth pick, but to each their own.

Why do you say he's a poor man's Gerald Wallace?  He's two inches taller and more athletic.

[kozlodoev]

I got a feeling everything will have to do with how he does on the FT line. If he can get that to about 70 percent we will be getting a steal here

The real question is how many NBA players do you know that improved their free throw shooting by 30 percentage points over the course of their career. My sense is there aren't many.

Gerald Wallace is not a bad comp for Gordon.  Wallace shot 50, 52, and 45% in his first three seasons.  In his prime, he was at and close to 80%.

In his first three seasons Gerald Wallace shot 130 free throws total while averaging 10 minutes a game.

But semantics aside, if Gordon develops as a 12 ppg guy  who plays great defense out of the combo forward position (like someone suggested), he'd be a poor man's Gerald Wallace / Josh Smith. Doesn't strike me as good value for the sixth pick, but to each their own.

Why do you say he's a poor man's Gerald Wallace?  He's two inches taller and more athletic.

Because Gerald Wallace in his prime was defensively as capable as Aaron Gordon, except he also gave you 17-20 points per game.

[BigAlTheFuture]

I don't know about Gordon being more athletic than Wallace. He was probably one of the better athletes in the league in his prime.