Mike1989 wrote:Kent wrote:As we wonder whether we will keep Aaron Gordon going into next season, it's hard to ignore what we had in Victor after he took his Pacers seven games against the Cavs.
So who would you take TODAY: Gordon or Oladipo?
On one hand you have massive potential in AG. On the the other, a legit leader who makes his team better and has already taken his team to the postseason.
This question really comes down to who you think will be the better player when it's all said and done.
Personally, I think it's very close to call. You could argue they're a lot alike in terms of showing flashes on both ends of the floor in their early years, having the right attitude and a great motor.
I'm going to go Gordon simply based on size and being able to play/guard more positions.
I don't think it's a close call at all. I'd take Oladipo. He's in his prime years and just had the best season of his career being the main guy in Indiana. Oladipo has always had a strong work ethic and plays hard on the court, as long as that's the case and he continues to work hard and aim to get better, then I would expect to see Oladipo make multiple all star appearances.
The main issue with Gordon is that he is not really suited to being a number one guy on a good team. He doesn't strike me as someone that will carry a team on his back to the play offs. I think he is better suited to a supporting role and that's why I'd give Oladipo an edge over Gordon because Oladipo has shown he can be a leader and a go to option. The other issues with Gordon is that he's not a big time rebounder, doesn't really block a lot of shots, he's not much a play maker with ball in hand, and his shooting is fairly streaky. There is still time for him to develop and he may well turn into an all star (as a Magic fan I hope this is the case!), but I think he will become a decent second option in the Tobias Harris mold.
So I would take Oladipo over Gordon if the Pacers offered us a straight swap because Oladipo would slot in at SG and be our leader and star player - i.e. the guy we wanted him to be when we drafted him. The other thing to consider here is that if we retain our draft pick in any swap, we could then draft Michael Porter or Marvin Bagley to fill the other forward spot next to Isaac. That way we could add another potential 20+ a night guy to support Oladipo. But at this point to get Oladipo for Gordon we'd have to give up that draft pick because Oladipo is the better player now and likely for the foreseeable future as well.
I don't think it that close at all.
I take AG easily. Simply much higher upside.
And I love me some Dipo, always have, always will
