Aaron Gordon

[cedric76]

Has anyone EVER become a good shooter after shooting 42% from the line? Seems extremely unlikely that Gordon will.

DX lists him 212lbs with a 8'10.5" standing reach, that's poor for a PF when you look at the other things he's bring to the table. Everyone with Gordon's length is significantly bigger, more skilled, or just not a good player. NBA PFs with standing reaches that low include Love, Griffin, Millsap etc, abut they are significantly more skilled offensively and have a lot more bulk. As much as Gordon's passing and smarts seem good, his shooting will be a massive handicap in today's NBA.

Gordon does seem to have the ability to put on weight and is obviously a good athlete. But with the multiple serious questions over his ability to translate I'd be a lot happier taking a guy like Vonleh or Ennis who have real NBA positions. He's prob still a decent pick in the latter half of the lottery though, I think he's a strong chance to become a useful bench player at least because he is one of the few people with the athletic profile to handle the some elite players like LeBron, Duant, Melo etc.

He is 18, could he still grow few inches?

[supaflash]

I don't think he has to play the 4 in the NBA, there's no reason he can't be a slasher 3. He has the footspeed and defensive mind to defend the 3 spot. His shot isn't broken so I think it could be improved, especially if he becomes more specialized like a spot up 3 and D guy. He's just in a strange spot in the college game imo. He was starting to slowly bring his percentages up until that last game, but he seems to be a very unselfish guy and works hard. He's not all that different than Kawaih Leonard or Trevor Ariza. Ariza was even a worse shooter than Gordon. I think he could follow a similar arc Or he could keep getting bigger and stronger and go the Griffin route. I think the potential is there, he's got some work to do.

[ManualRam]

im not sure how you could come to the conclusion that his shot isn't broken. he shoots 28% on non dunks/ layups and 45% from the line. i don't know how you could look at that and say that he should be on the perimeter, unless you're saying that he could possibly improve to the point where he becomes a completely different player skill-wise. that's like saying that randle could eventually be a point forward if he really worked at it.

no, none of those guys were EVER worse shooters than gordon is now.

he doesn't have the frame or bulk of griffin either.

[supaflash]

Ariza shot 50% from the line .237 from 3 and .426 overall from the field

Kawai shot better from the line .72 but was even worse from outside .20 from 3 and .44 overall from the field. Even in his second year he barely surpassed AG's current level.

They were equally as bad. AG's shot isn't completely broken because his form isn't bad. It could be him just trying to gain as much strength as possible recently.

Given the proper environment and good franchise, each has added that shooting to their athleticism, defense, and inside game, something that I think AG can achieve as well.

Griffin is a freak for sure, but I can't find his measurements as a freshman, only his combine from after his sophomore year. I don't know if AG could pack on quite that much muscle, but he is pretty young for this class and at 215-220 already, it's not that much of a reach. Considering their wingspan and standing reach are equal but AG is an inch shorter, his shoulders sit a little higher, he's got a good frame to get bigger and stronger. Note that Howard was a lot weaker coming out then Blake, also a year younger. He's shown a lot of strength in finish around the rim and in traffic, but not super great strength against the bigger post players/defenders. I think this is mostly his lower body strength and mass is still lacking, Blake has tree trunks for legs. If he keeps working hard in the gym I think AG can be a monster.

[No-Man]

Have you seen Griffin ability? his body control? his balance? his footwork?

Is not just the body man, you see Griffin moving in mid air, there is no way Gordon achieves that in his whole life, is just genetics, Gordon is clumsy, has not footwork whatsoever and his flow on offense is just ugly, hard to watch.

[Marcus]

i've never ever understood the Blake comparisons outside of them being 2 lightskinned curly hair guys that can dunk a basketball. Completely different game and skillset between the two. Gordon won't blossom into Blake Griffin. Can't see him putting on the size and still keeping the athleticism. I've heard Shawn Marion as a comparison and i think that might be the closest if Aaron ever fixes his shot.

[AgentZer0]

I think Gordon is a mix between Shawn Marion and Derrick Williams. His terrible FT% and lack of any offensive game outside of put backs, alley oops, and transition buckets scare me away if I'm picking in the top 10. After that though, he could be an elite defender in the NBA and guard multiple positions. His jumper did improve as the season went on. Perhaps he realized if he wanted to have a long, meaningful NBA career, he'd need to do more than just outjump people. If he can develop a decent 3 point shot, he'll be a great pick for whoever gets him. No matter what, there's a role for him as a defender in the NBA.

I wrote a more in-depth look at Aaron Gordon here at http://freeagentzero.com/2014/06/18/nba ... on-gordon/. There are scouting reports on other top prospects as well elsewhere on the site and I'll continue to do more as the draft gets closer and closer.

[Luigi]

What do you think of Luis Amundson comparison?


Louis Amundson
Size
6' 7.25 - 6' 8 (shoes)
221 lbs (6.8% bf)
6' 11.5 (span) - 8' 7.5" (reach)

Jump
Vert 32 (11' 3.5)
Max vert 35.5 (11' 7")

Speed
Agility 10.58
Sprint 3.20


Aaron Gordon
Size
6' 7.5 - 6' 8.75" (shoes)
220 lbs (5.1% bf)
6' 11.75 (span) - 8' 9 (reach)

Jump
Vert - 32.5 (11' 5.5)
Max Vert - 39 (12' 0)

Speed
Agility 10.81
Sprint 3.27

They both seem like hustle players with defensive skills to me.

[ufsports]

Gordon reeks of bust to me. He's a tweener whose basic advantage is his work ethic.

[bigboi]

Gordon reeks of bust to me. He's a tweener whose basic advantage is his work ethic.

Basically, he could end up being Derrick Williams, but I think his passing and defense will at least make him a serviceable player

[ufsports]

Gordon reeks of bust to me. He's a tweener whose basic advantage is his work ethic.

Basically, he could end up being Derrick Williams, but I think his passing and defense will at least make him a serviceable player

Yeah:) if he's like Derrick Williams with defense, who would you compare him to? Personally, I think it could be Jason Thompson

[NightmanCometh]

If Chuck Hayes can make it as a serviceable Centre then there's no reason to be too hardline and strict when assessing the specs of a player.


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[BoutPractice]

To each his own, I guess. I see him as the surest thing in the draft, but as a deluxe role player.

[Jazzy13]

The next Jan Vesely.

[Golabki]

My problem with the Marion comparison is that 1. Gordon had no where near the steal/block numbers of Marion and 2. Marion might be the best wing defender of the last decade... For some reason comparing decent defensive prospects to defensive superstars is totally expected... It like saying Parker is a good offensive forward.... Therefore he's KD.

I think the Blake comp makes more sense in terms of skill/style but Blake was just much better in college. The problem is the for non-shooters offensive ability drops exponentially... Meaning if Gordon has a similar game to Blake but is 70% as good... That might be enough to make him a liability instead of a star.


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[mr2good]

Leading the nation in defensive win shares and will likely be the youngest player in the draft.

I dont see him as a 3 in the NBA, but a faceup 4 who needs to develop post moves. His jumper will improve, but its far away right now, although not broken like MKG's. Solid form, but cant maintain consistency.

Hes an elite defender who will be a plus defender on the perimeter and in the paint as he gains more weight.

Hes a project big who surprisingly can make an impact defensively right away. His offense is a ways away, but he has good handles and can get to the rim and finish.

Spot on post. I'm so pumped the magic took him at 4.

Oladipo, Gordon & Elfrid will wreck havoc defensively.

[ColdBlooded]

Leading the nation in defensive win shares and will likely be the youngest player in the draft.

I dont see him as a 3 in the NBA, but a faceup 4 who needs to develop post moves. His jumper will improve, but its far away right now, although not broken like MKG's. Solid form, but cant maintain consistency.

Hes an elite defender who will be a plus defender on the perimeter and in the paint as he gains more weight.

Hes a project big who surprisingly can make an impact defensively right away. His offense is a ways away, but he has good handles and can get to the rim and finish.

Spot on post. I'm so pumped the magic took him at 4.

Oladipo, Gordon & Elfrid will wreck havoc defensively.

Floor spacing will take a beating.

I like the potential of that trio, but one of them needs to develop an outside shoot to have them on the court at the same time.

[jmnvcavs]

What do you think of Luis Amundson comparison?


Louis Amundson
Size
6' 7.25 - 6' 8 (shoes)
221 lbs (6.8% bf)
6' 11.5 (span) - 8' 7.5" (reach)

Jump
Vert 32 (11' 3.5)
Max vert 35.5 (11' 7")

Speed
Agility 10.58
Sprint 3.20


Aaron Gordon
Size
6' 7.5 - 6' 8.75" (shoes)
220 lbs (5.1% bf)
6' 11.75 (span) - 8' 9 (reach)

Jump
Vert - 32.5 (11' 5.5)
Max Vert - 39 (12' 0)

Speed
Agility 10.81
Sprint 3.27

They both seem like hustle players with defensive skills to me.

Just because they have the same doesn't mean Amundsen is even close to being on the same level as an athlete as Gordon.

[dballislife]

the main thing that scares me about this guy, he literally has the same make up of tyrus thomas and stromile swift coming into the league

[Luigi]

What do you think of Luis Amundson comparison?


Louis Amundson
Size
6' 7.25 - 6' 8 (shoes)
221 lbs (6.8% bf)
6' 11.5 (span) - 8' 7.5" (reach)

Jump
Vert 32 (11' 3.5)
Max vert 35.5 (11' 7")

Speed
Agility 10.58
Sprint 3.20


Aaron Gordon
Size
6' 7.5 - 6' 8.75" (shoes)
220 lbs (5.1% bf)
6' 11.75 (span) - 8' 9 (reach)

Jump
Vert - 32.5 (11' 5.5)
Max Vert - 39 (12' 0)

Speed
Agility 10.81
Sprint 3.27

They both seem like hustle players with defensive skills to me.

Just because they have the same doesn't mean Amundsen is even close to being on the same level as an athlete as Gordon.

I think that's exactly what it means. If you jump, run, and are sized similar to someone, you are a similar athlete to them.

But being a similar athlete doesn't mean your are a similar basketball players. I do think they are similar basketball players, though. They both hustle on defense and score on putbacks and offensive rebounds. A lot of people see something great in him. I'll be watching for it, but I don't see it yet.