Debate: Mayo or Gordon?

[UGA Hayes]

I've noticed nationally Mayo's stock has been dropping with Billy Packer apparently trashing him on National TV. Despite the numbers I have actually liked what I have seen from him more than I thought I would considering the preseason hype. The plusses. He is a good rebounder has good shooting numbers, and gets lots of steals all indicating he has good athleticisms. More improtantly he is an above avg ball handler the most important skill an NBA offensive player can have, and I think this is reflected by his FT attempts numbers. On the negative side he looks shorter than advertised (not a big deal IMO), has an unacceptable turnover number (not a big deal for a freshman IMO), and overall looks like he needs to improve his decisionmaking.

Meanwhile Gordon's stock is on the upswing. His team is playing well and his shooting numbers are phenominal. He also is a good rebounder though seemingly not at Mayo's level, nor does he steal the ball as much. His FT rate drawn is great. However I have noticed he is, atm, a slightly below avg. ball handler, which sort of scares me. He reminds me an awful lot of Ben Gordan with better court vision. He is also turning the ball over a ton. He is a year younger than Mayo.

At the moment I actually like Mayo a little bit more because I think his handle will be a bit of an advantage in the pros. So who do you like better in the pros Gordon or Mayo?

[revprodeji]

This will turn into a mayo bash thread. Just warning you.

If Mayo is 6'5 like some have said then I like him in the pros better if he has a strong post player to take some heat off the offense. I think he can be a very effective combo guard and leader.

Rose is hyped, but the memphis offense is goofy enough that it hides alot of his rawness. As a pg most of it is mental and he just is not developed there.

[OrangeBull]

Gordon can be a great NBA player, and even though he's pretty strong his size is a bit of an issue and will hold him back unless he develops some point guard skills. I'm not saying he should become a full-time PG or become good enough to combo, but it would definitely help because I don't see him guarding SGs in the NBA nor will he have the overall dribbling ability to keep a possession alive.

I like his game though, he was born to score, if his shot isn't getting in he can put the ball on the floor and get to the line and visa versa. His first step isn't that great but his acceleration in a game is pretty nice. He's not the greatest of athletes but he's got a savvy act of using his strengths.

Ben Gordon is a pretty solid prediction but I think he has the potential to be more than that because he is so young right now.

Mayo on the other hand, I think will have a better career but the thing that scares me is that he seems filled out. His body especially but despite the transition to college he looks like the same player. I'm not saying he hasn't improved but the fact that there aren't any "major" skills to develop like with Eric and Derrick means that his potential might be a bit less than those guys.

Potential aside, I think he's the safest guard pick this year because of his assertiveness, overall skills, and body. His defense actually looks pretty good also when he wants to put in effort. Of course his shot selection needs some work but his playmaking ability is undeniable. He's not a great, but good ball handler and his shot is solid.

I'd rather draft Mayo over Gordon maybe 8 times out 10, Mayo has some questions but everything is right there. He has all the skills, just needs to use them.

[moocow007]

I've noticed nationally Mayo's stock has been dropping with Billy Packer apparently trashing him on National TV. Despite the numbers I have actually liked what I have seen from him more than I thought I would considering the preseason hype. The plusses. He is a good rebounder has good shooting numbers, and gets lots of steals all indicating he has good athleticisms. More improtantly he is an above avg ball handler the most important skill an NBA offensive player can have, and I think this is reflected by his FT attempts numbers. On the negative side he looks shorter than advertised (not a big deal IMO), has an unacceptable turnover number (not a big deal for a freshman IMO), and overall looks like he needs to improve his decisionmaking.

Meanwhile Gordon's stock is on the upswing. His team is playing well and his shooting numbers are phenominal. He also is a good rebounder though seemingly not at Mayo's level, nor does he steal the ball as much. His FT rate drawn is great. However I have noticed he is, atm, a slightly below avg. ball handler, which sort of scares me. He reminds me an awful lot of Ben Gordan with better court vision. He is also turning the ball over a ton. He is a year younger than Mayo.

At the moment I actually like Mayo a little bit more because I think his handle will be a bit of an advantage in the pros. So who do you like better in the pros Gordon or Mayo?

Based on what I've seen, I'd go with Gordon. Don't like Mayo's handles. I think Gordon and play the point (like Wade)...though both really are more SG's than anything else. Don't think Mayo will be able to handle PG in the NBA much. Gordon also seems to be more dynamic, a better, more fluid offensive player. I also like the way Gordon attacks everything and gets himself involved. Mayo, for whatever reason, seems willing to kinda just wait for things to come to him. Maybe it's team (Gordon's on a much better team, that USC team just seems like a bunch of individuals running around looking for their own thing). I think Gordon definitely can succeed in the NBA and do extremely well. Can't say the same about Mayo but that doesn't mean he can't be better. IMHO Mayo's hype is really hurting him and making things extremely difficult and pressured. When people are expecting the next Kobe or Lebron, even if you turn out to be a fine, fine young player, it's going to be a dissapointment and then people start nitpicking about everything (which is what's happening now with Mayo) and it takes an extremely strong individual to be able to weather it and come out on top.

[UGA Hayes]

Gordon can be a great NBA player, and even though he's pretty strong his size is a bit of an issue and will hold him back unless he develops some point guard skills. I'm not saying he should become a full-time PG or become good enough to combo, but it would definitely help because I don't see him guarding SGs in the NBA nor will he have the overall dribbling ability to keep a possession alive.

I like his game though, he was born to score, if his shot isn't getting in he can put the ball on the floor and get to the line and visa versa. His first step isn't that great but his acceleration in a game is pretty nice. He's not the greatest of athletes but he's got a savvy act of using his strengths.

Ben Gordon is a pretty solid prediction but I think he has the potential to be more than that because he is so young right now.

Mayo on the other hand, I think will have a better career but the thing that scares me is that he seems filled out. His body especially but despite the transition to college he looks like the same player. I'm not saying he hasn't improved but the fact that there aren't any "major" skills to develop like with Eric and Derrick means that his potential might be a bit less than those guys.

Potential aside, I think he's the safest guard pick this year because of his assertiveness, overall skills, and body. His defense actually looks pretty good also when he wants to put in effort. Of course his shot selection needs some work but his playmaking ability is undeniable. He's not a great, but good ball handler and his shot is solid.

I'd rather draft Mayo over Gordon maybe 8 times out 10, Mayo has some questions but everything is right there. He has all the skills, just needs to use them.

Good Post. I'm a big believer that USC's offense, and the college game in general masks why guys like Arenas, and if I'm right eventually Mayo, don't do that well in college. The spacing in college, offensively and defensively, is so bad that good ball handler doesn't have the same scoring advantage they have in the pros. You have big men who can camp in the paint, and 10 guys overall camped out in a cramped area within the three point line.

EDIT: Moo, not sure if this was what you were suggesting but, I think Gordon's handle is significantly worse than Mayo's let alone Wade. That Being said I can still see Gordon end up being the better of the two. From my memory despite playing like Ben gordon, he does seem a little better overall.

[jeremy1215]

I live in Indiana, and I still like Mayo better. Gordon to be is a LOT like Ben Gordon, and will not be a point guard in the NBA. Mayo will be a lot like Arenas IMO.

[JBoogs37]

This is a good debate. I personally believe attending college has hurt Mayo's draft stock a lot. He is now being scouted as a pure scorer, or basically an undersized shooting guard. Because of this, scouts are comparing him to Eric Gordon, and as a scorer, Eric Gordon is definetly the better and more efficient of the two. However, I've have seen Mayo's playmaking ability before, and it is truly something special when he get's the chance to display it. I've heard people say he doesn't have court vision and passing skills???? That's crazy. Tim Floyd is trying to utilize Mayo as a 2, he is not a natural 2. Scouts are rating him as a two and so his stock is falling. He is playing out of position at USC. There is a reason he was so hyped, and it was wasn't because of his scoring ability. It was his ability see the floor and make great passes, while having the scoring ability he has. I mean, he used to be compared to Jason Kidd with a jumper for crying out loud. People say his assists/TO is unheard for a PG. But they forget, he isn't running the point at USC. Mayo's skills don't have much room for improvement, because they don't need much improvement. He's had NBA skills since his sophmore year in HS. His problem is his playing style. This can be changed with proper coaching. If it were me, I'd take the risk on Mayo becoming that superstar scoring point, because the guy really does have special playmaking skills, and he can more than handle the point in the league. I honesly don't even think he's playing at full speed right now because he isn't comfortable with the position he's playing. He's not a come off a screen catch and shoot type two-guard. Floyd isn't using Mayo's abilties to the fullest, which is understandable because they needed a scorer, and Mayo CAN be that too, which is just another testament to the guys talent. All these scouts weren't crazy when they saw Mayo as a legend in the making in HS. That talent is still there, he just needs the proper guidance. I'd take the chance on Mayo. At worst, he'll be a volume scorer at about 20-25ppg. But his upside is what I'd be drafting.

[moocow007]

Yeah I mentioned it briefly in earlier posts on Mayo but that USC team he's on is really ugly. Honestly, it seems like Tim Floyd basically just gives his team the ball and tells them "ok, guys, go have fun". There's almost no system there. It almost always seems like the plan is to pass it once or twice and then have someone try to go one on one against the opposing team. Now that might actually be ok if the Trojans actually had the talent for that but other than OJ Mayo, they have a bunch of pretenders. And Mayo does seem to get frozen out of the offense a lot by his teammates. Of course, fliip side is, a future superstar would be expected to get them to change their mind even if he's a freshman still. He just doesn't seem to demand the ball enough for his self absorbed chucking teammates to get it to him. And when he does get it it's usually with the clock running down and/or when the guy with the ball gets into trouble. Hard to have a guy deliver in those types of situations. Of course, that's not to mean that his team is his excuse. If Mayo were true to hype he'd have proven he is the guy there already and would be taking games over and even the ball out of his teammates hands in leading his team to wins. That hasn't happened, not even remotely. Not easy to judge for certain what type of player Mayo will become.

[Cammo101]

Eric Gordon is the much better player right now. I still think if both hit their talent ceiling that Mayo would be the best. The problem is right now Gordon is a complete player who understands beasketball and Mayo is just a guy who wants to score.

I'd draft Gordon over Mayo. Mayo has more talent, but may be one of those guys that never gets it.

[Ruzious]

I've noticed nationally Mayo's stock has been dropping with Billy Packer apparently trashing him on National TV. Despite the numbers I have actually liked what I have seen from him more than I thought I would considering the preseason hype. The plusses. He is a good rebounder has good shooting numbers, and gets lots of steals all indicating he has good athleticisms. More improtantly he is an above avg ball handler the most important skill an NBA offensive player can have, and I think this is reflected by his FT attempts numbers. On the negative side he looks shorter than advertised (not a big deal IMO), has an unacceptable turnover number (not a big deal for a freshman IMO), and overall looks like he needs to improve his decisionmaking.

Meanwhile Gordon's stock is on the upswing. His team is playing well and his shooting numbers are phenominal. He also is a good rebounder though seemingly not at Mayo's level, nor does he steal the ball as much. His FT rate drawn is great. However I have noticed he is, atm, a slightly below avg. ball handler, which sort of scares me. He reminds me an awful lot of Ben Gordan with better court vision. He is also turning the ball over a ton. He is a year younger than Mayo.

At the moment I actually like Mayo a little bit more because I think his handle will be a bit of an advantage in the pros. So who do you like better in the pros Gordon or Mayo?

Eric Gordon gets to the line far more than Mayo and Ben. Eric averages 8.5 attempts per game, while Mayo gets 3.9, and Mayo averages more minutes. Gordon is a better shooter and a better scorer. I sorta agree with the Ben Gordon comparison, except that Eric attacks the rim better, while Ben is more likely to settle for jumpers. And Eric is a little bigger and stronger.

[UGA Hayes]

-= original quote snipped =-


Eric Gordon gets to the line far more than Mayo and Ben. Eric averages 8.5 attempts per game, while Mayo gets 3.9, and Mayo averages more minutes. Gordon is a better shooter and a better scorer. I sorta agree with the Ben Gordon comparison, except that Eric attacks the rim better, while Ben is more likely to settle for jumpers. And Eric is a little bigger and stronger.

Good pick up. I actually noticed that when I was writing the original post and was a bit surprised and forgot to mention it. It will be interesting to see how he does when he goes pro. To be fair Ben Gordan is a very potent scorer even with his avg dribble, so there is no reason to think Eric won't do the same. But to me part of Ben's struggle is getting to the line due to an untrustworthy ball handling skills/high turnover ratio- which can make him inconsistant at times. The queston is with Eric's (at the moment) mediocre handle will he be able to duplicate his college FT success?

[BestintheEast]

i would draft Derrick Rose over both those Guys!

[endemicBull]

I'm not a big fan of small SG's, or PG's with questionable handles...put a gun to my head, and I'll take Gordon, and let him roll as a 6th man...

[bravesatl]

He also is a good rebounder though seemingly not at Mayo's level, nor does he steal the ball as much.

gordon is averaging 1.4 spg in 33 mpg and mayo is averaging 1.3 spg in 36 mpg....

i'd take gordon over mayo....

[ss-wiish!]

How good is Mayo really (not a big follower of college/drafts)? Seen him play a couple of times and he seems quite special...there seems to be quite a lot of hype surrounding him as well. In some places he's a top 3-4 (draftxpress) while in others (nbadraft) he's only a 9-12th pick...

How good should he be in the pros?

[TheKingOfVa360]

Mayo is the best guard prospect imo. Most people say Rose but I prefer Mayo. Mayo is clear cut better than Gordon.

[shane5153]

Mayo is IMO way above gordon on my board. Mayo has the NBA body, the nba shot, the basketball IQ, His defense is getting a whole lot better, and even though gordon may have some of these attributes i just think mayo does them better on a worse team. Plus gordon is very small ( he looks 6'2 and mayo looks 6'5)

[Bucky O'Hare]

Gordon looks an easy 2" taller than Rose here. If Gordon is only 6'2", then Rose is 6' flat. I don't believe it. My guess would be Rose 6'2", Gordon 6'4".

[shane5153]

(picture)

Gordon looks an easy 2" taller than Rose here. If Gordon is only 6'2", then Rose is 6' flat. I don't believe it. My guess would be Rose 6'2", Gordon 6'4".

yeah rose does look smaller than listed

[nitetrain8603]

-= original quote snipped =-


Eric Gordon gets to the line far more than Mayo and Ben. Eric averages 8.5 attempts per game, while Mayo gets 3.9, and Mayo averages more minutes. Gordon is a better shooter and a better scorer. I sorta agree with the Ben Gordon comparison, except that Eric attacks the rim better, while Ben is more likely to settle for jumpers. And Eric is a little bigger and stronger.

Eric is an inch or two taller. He is not stronger than Ben though.