Aaron Gordon putting up shots during celtics workout

[Evantime34]

His shot is kind of slow, I think he will be able to make the corner 3 in the nba but only when he is wide open. I think his shot will improve but even if it doesn't he can be an excellent defensive player that excels on the break and can get to the hoop.

[Roy H.]

Gordon smart or randle.

Smart.

[Tr1boy]

Gordon smart or randle.

Smart.

well if the celtics stay put they can get Smart, Gordon or Randle. I'm happy with any of these guys to be honest. I like Gordon but if the Jazz take him than you take Smart or Randle.

one of these guys will help the team starting next season. Vonleh not as much. He is going to take a few more season but has the highest upside.

[35Lewis]

You know who else can make wide open jumpshots from NBA 3pt range when nobody is guarding them, me.

I guess I should enter the draft too.

LOL no you can't. If you've ever played basketball, you'd know that making threes is more than just a clear look and throwing the ball. You have to have the correct form, correct feet position, release time, height of jump, aiming, putting the right power, having enough energy to shoot from that far in the first place.

Amen brother!  I've had the pleasure of playing in foreign leagues and, for the old timers, the CBA...you'd be surprised at the level of talent out there that didn't even sniff the NBA.

[BudweiserCeltic]

Gordon smart or randle.

Smart.

That's where I'm leaning, I want another capable ball handler who can play 2 positions next to Rondo, and Avery if he's kept.

[mmmmm]

If our choices resolve to just Smart or Randle, I would personally prefer to trade down or out of the draft.

They are both good players with value, but neither of those two interests me as a building block.

Also, either of them probably forces a roster move as well.   I have serious doubts that Smart will work as a back-court mate with Rondo because fielding a two guard set that has no 3PT shooter is silly in the modern NBA.  And Randle is redundant in so many ways with Sullinger and Olynyk (and Bass and Fav and ...).

So if he takes either of those two guys, Danny HAS to then make a roster move, whether it is to trade them or to trade others.

In general, it's not good to be put in a position of having to make a transaction, because you tend to get less value.

[35Lewis]

Gordon smart or randle.

Smart.

That's where I'm leaning, I want another capable ball handler who can play 2 positions next to Rondo, and Avery if he's kept.

I like Smart too out of these choices.  My hope is Exum falls but that's unlikely.  I think there is enough talented wing players that can score available with our second pick. 

[Surferdad]

If our choices resolve to just Smart or Randle, I would personally prefer to trade down or out of the draft.

They are both good players with value, but neither of those two interests me as a building block.

Also, either of them probably forces a roster move as well.   I have serious doubts that Smart will work as a back-court mate with Rondo because fielding a two guard set that has no 3PT shooter is silly in the modern NBA.  And Randle is redundant in so many ways with Sullinger and Olynyk (and Bass and Fav and ...).

So if he takes either of those two guys, Danny HAS to then make a roster move, whether it is to trade them or to trade others.

In general, it's not good to be put in a position of having to make a transaction, because you tend to get less value.

I follow your logic but not sure I agree with that last bit about less value. I think the idea is you are taking BPA so that is, by definition, better value.  A smart GM like Ainge may have a transaction already lined up and can pull the trigger quickly or simultaneously (draft night trade) which fixes the roster problem.

Regarding the video, this is just a slice and likely there is a standard set of skill evaluations they put all workout players through. Three point shooting, unguarded, is just one.  The only thing this tells me is that he has the range.  I think no less or more about Gordon based on this clip. 

[loco_91]

If our choices resolve to just Smart or Randle, I would personally prefer to trade down or out of the draft.

They are both good players with value, but neither of those two interests me as a building block.

Also, either of them probably forces a roster move as well.   I have serious doubts that Smart will work as a back-court mate with Rondo because fielding a two guard set that has no 3PT shooter is silly in the modern NBA.  And Randle is redundant in so many ways with Sullinger and Olynyk (and Bass and Fav and ...).

So if he takes either of those two guys, Danny HAS to then make a roster move, whether it is to trade them or to trade others.

In general, it's not good to be put in a position of having to make a transaction, because you tend to get less value.

Taking Smart doesn't force a roster move, at least not right away. C's can play him off the bench, taking Pressey's and Bayless's minutes. Rondo and Smart aren't such bad shooters that you can't play them together for ten minutes a game, we aren't talking Ricky Rubio here. Play them 10 minutes together, RR can get 36 mins/game and Smart can get 22.

It might not be a long term solution, but it's passable, and you can wait until the right trade comes along.

[colincb]

Love, Vonleh, Smart/Trade

[fitzhickey]

Gordon smart or randle.

Smart.

+1

[86MaxwellSmart]

if no Love deal happens...I will be happy with Gordon...and a trade up for Stauskas....would be a nice night.

[kozlodoev]

Gordon smart or randle.

Smart.

Yeah, if that's the lot we're picking from, there's little doubt that Smart should be the pick, even though neither is much of a prize, really. Smart can bomb just as spectacularly as Gordon.

[Sizzlack]

You know who else can make wide open jumpshots from NBA 3pt range when nobody is guarding them, me.

I guess I should enter the draft too.

LOL no you can't. If you've ever played basketball, you'd know that making threes is more than just a clear look and throwing the ball. You have to have the correct form, correct feet position, release time, height of jump, aiming, putting the right power, having enough energy to shoot from that far in the first place.

if Gordon was running around to different spots around the 3pt line and making those, then I'd agree with you.  But hes shooting in the same spot over and over and over.  It's muscle memory.  Yes it still takes skill to make those shots, but if you make him move around, dribble, and put a hand in his face, it's whole different ball game.  I think thats the point he was trying to make to begin with.

I agree with you, but Jason Terry said it one time. To be a great shooter at the NBA level, your practice shots should be at about 80%.  So to say it's meaningless to see how his form is, and see him knock down shots even unguarded and in "muscle memory" rhythm still has meaning.

Noones asking Gordon to be a great shooter, but if he can consistently hit from the top of the key, or the corner, these are weapons. He'll be able to find those spots if he played for the Celtics, the same way Jeff Green and Sullinger does now. With Gordon's versatility to play at either the 3 or the 4, he'll find shots either off the pick and pop, where he can step out to the top (like Sully does), or by flashing to the wing when he's spacing the floor and defenses help off of him to stop drives. If he can knock down wide open 3s at a 35% clip or so, given what he can do defensively, and athletically, he could be a really special player.

[Kane3387]

Gordon smart or randle.

Smart.

Yeah, if that's the lot we're picking from, there's little doubt that Smart should be the pick, even though neither is much of a prize, really. Smart can bomb just as spectacularly as Gordon.

So could wiggins embiid and Parker. They all have way more hype to live up too. Expectations are everything when it comes to being a bust.