The Prepping for LeBron Draft:
Coming off my less than stellar review of Dante Exum, it becomes clear that I'm steering clear. If Embiid's knees are truly degenerative that's something I'll have to pass on. So who's #3 if Wiggins/Parker's picked?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KeMAF9IIkH4&index=3Aaron Gordon F, Arizona.
I first caught sight of this dude in the All-America game, a place where you normally see alley-oops and god awful defense. But this kid? He actually gave an effort on defense. In an all-star game! Diving for loose balls. He carried that same intensity for an Arizona team that was the best team in the country for the better part of the year. Insane activity in and around the rim. Gordon confessed that his shot rhythm was inconsistent, can you imagine a consistent J from Gordon?
I can, and it makes me imagine Amare Stoudemire(Post Microfracture). Doesn't have quite the big frame or the width of a back-to-the basket big, but his athleticism makes up for it. The most unique things about him is the ability to
blow up screens, ball-handling for a big and court-vision.
-At 6-9, 225, Gordan can switch on a G and keep on him. He can also guard face-up bigs like himself. He's the antithesis to most ISO offenses, a defensive chess piece if you will. Like a Dennis Rodman. If you don't think that's crucial, Indy'd love to get him right now. It's likely that series doesn't get to 7 with Gordon in a Pacers uniform.
-Gordon's a solid ball-handler for a big man, both in transition and in the half-court(1.4 TOPG). He does a good job of looking ahead and initiating the offense.
-Triple Post Option? The triple post area is the FT Line out to 22 FT. It's where Jabari Parker operates beautifully, and Aaron Gordon in a different fashion attacked the defense through interior passes to Arizona's bigs(Kaleb/Ashley) as well as slashing. Depending on how well his PERM. Game comes along, he could be as deadly as Jabari. In the Spurs system, the Hi-PNR is crucial. Gordon'd fit wonderfully here.
In a Lebron to Philly Scenario:
Gordon would just be a beast, between LBJ and MCW handling the ball. The alleys would be endless. Likewise, LBJ'd be able to play off the ball as MCW/Gordon are gifted playmakers at their position. Defensively, Noel-Gordon-LBJ-MCW would make the Bad Boy Pistons blush.
Even without LeBron:
Noel-MCW-Gordon is a defensive three-headed machine that one wishes an in-prime Iverson would play on.
#10 overall: G Gary Harris Michigan St.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=YWjLktbQwTUwww.youtube.com/watch?v=EUyjZg-jfjYHonestly, that MSU team was one of the best built teams in the country, Adreian Payne is my draft sleeper(as skilled as Randle IMO) for example. Gary Harris is a 6'4 Guard who's able to play off the bounce, with a positive PPS both in Catch-and-Shoot and on the dribble.
He's really aggressive and draws contact(4.1 FTA), converted at an 80% Clip. A bit "undersized" given taller Combo Guards, and he doesn't get great lift. But he's an excellent defender(6'6 wingspan despite size) as well as an 8'0 Standing Reach.
He's got great fundamentals, hands always well positioned, hips flexible and uses his wingspan to reach in without fouling(Only 2.1 PF) or without losing his man.
With LeBron:
His Role is simple: Knock down 3's, play elite defense, attack the rim off the ball.
Without LeBron:
Much the same, except obviously he'll get to handle the ball more and develop offensively.
Regardless, I leave you with this:
Gary Harris Wins Share:
http://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/gary-harris-1.html 5.3 this past yr.
Aaron Gordon Wins Share:
http://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/aaron-gordon-1.html 5.4 this past yr.
By comparsion, Andrew Wiggins:
http://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/andrew-wiggins-1.html 4.9
Harris/Gordon are under-rated MOFO'S
