College Basketball 2007-2008

[Exile on Waveland]

He was a top 2 lock before this season started. Now Rose and Beasley for sure go before him and Bayliss probably does. I think he and O.J. Mayo hurt their draft prospects by playing college ball. I would probably take Mayo before him as well.

 

i don't know why you'd take mayo over him, other than the obvious reason. they're like the same player, flip a coin. i'll take Gordon.

More ability to play the point, he is bigger, has a better handle, is a better defender, and I think he has shown the ability to make others around him better. I have yet to really see EJ demonstrate that.

 

he's not bigger and he's not a better defender, and he doesn't have a better handle. they're pretty equal across the board. furthermore, you're the one promoting DJ White as the best player in the big ten, but he's not better because of gordon?

 

He absolutely has a better handle than Gordon. I doubt you find any perimeter draft pick this year that has a worse handle than Gordon.

[illiniguy]

He was a top 2 lock before this season started. Now Rose and Beasley for sure go before him and Bayliss probably does. I think he and O.J. Mayo hurt their draft prospects by playing college ball. I would probably take Mayo before him as well.

 

i don't know why you'd take mayo over him, other than the obvious reason. they're like the same player, flip a coin. i'll take Gordon.

More ability to play the point, he is bigger, has a better handle, is a better defender, and I think he has shown the ability to make others around him better. I have yet to really see EJ demonstrate that.

 

he's not bigger and he's not a better defender, and he doesn't have a better handle. they're pretty equal across the board. furthermore, you're the one promoting DJ White as the best player in the big ten, but he's not better because of gordon?

He isn't bigger? And yes he has a better handle, he is a true combo guard. Gordon is at his best attacking the basket, but that is different from a gret handle, imo. I think White's rebounding is what made him MVP. So yes I guess I should credit EJ for shooting a low percentage allowing D.J. to get better. I also think White should get the nod for leading IU through a difficult season. So I guess Gordon should get thanked for making D.J. better for having Sampson call him 24/7.

Edited March 12, 2008 by illiniguy

[illiniguy]

He was a top 2 lock before this season started. Now Rose and Beasley for sure go before him and Bayliss probably does. I think he and O.J. Mayo hurt their draft prospects by playing college ball. I would probably take Mayo before him as well.

 

i don't know why you'd take mayo over him, other than the obvious reason. they're like the same player, flip a coin. i'll take Gordon.

More ability to play the point, he is bigger, has a better handle, is a better defender, and I think he has shown the ability to make others around him better. I have yet to really see EJ demonstrate that.

 

he's not bigger and he's not a better defender, and he doesn't have a better handle. they're pretty equal across the board. furthermore, you're the one promoting DJ White as the best player in the big ten, but he's not better because of gordon?

 

He absolutely has a better handle than Gordon. I doubt you find any perimeter draft pick this year that has a worse handle than Gordon.

He is obviously is bigger than Gordon too. .

[Exile on Waveland]

He was a top 2 lock before this season started. Now Rose and Beasley for sure go before him and Bayliss probably does. I think he and O.J. Mayo hurt their draft prospects by playing college ball. I would probably take Mayo before him as well.

 

i don't know why you'd take mayo over him, other than the obvious reason. they're like the same player, flip a coin. i'll take Gordon.

More ability to play the point, he is bigger, has a better handle, is a better defender, and I think he has shown the ability to make others around him better. I have yet to really see EJ demonstrate that.

 

he's not bigger and he's not a better defender, and he doesn't have a better handle. they're pretty equal across the board. furthermore, you're the one promoting DJ White as the best player in the big ten, but he's not better because of gordon?

 

He absolutely has a better handle than Gordon. I doubt you find any perimeter draft pick this year that has a worse handle than Gordon.

He is obviously is bigger than Gordon too. .

 

I would take Gordon over Mayo, though. Rose would be my first choice at guard.

[Magnetic Curses]

He was a top 2 lock before this season started. Now Rose and Beasley for sure go before him and Bayliss probably does. I think he and O.J. Mayo hurt their draft prospects by playing college ball. I would probably take Mayo before him as well.

 

i don't know why you'd take mayo over him, other than the obvious reason. they're like the same player, flip a coin. i'll take Gordon.

More ability to play the point, he is bigger, has a better handle, is a better defender, and I think he has shown the ability to make others around him better. I have yet to really see EJ demonstrate that.

 

he's not bigger and he's not a better defender, and he doesn't have a better handle. they're pretty equal across the board. furthermore, you're the one promoting DJ White as the best player in the big ten, but he's not better because of gordon?

 

He absolutely has a better handle than Gordon. I doubt you find any perimeter draft pick this year that has a worse handle than Gordon.

 

unless it's oj mayo.

[illiniguy]

He was a top 2 lock before this season started. Now Rose and Beasley for sure go before him and Bayliss probably does. I think he and O.J. Mayo hurt their draft prospects by playing college ball. I would probably take Mayo before him as well.

 

i don't know why you'd take mayo over him, other than the obvious reason. they're like the same player, flip a coin. i'll take Gordon.

More ability to play the point, he is bigger, has a better handle, is a better defender, and I think he has shown the ability to make others around him better. I have yet to really see EJ demonstrate that.

 

he's not bigger and he's not a better defender, and he doesn't have a better handle. they're pretty equal across the board. furthermore, you're the one promoting DJ White as the best player in the big ten, but he's not better because of gordon?

 

He absolutely has a better handle than Gordon. I doubt you find any perimeter draft pick this year that has a worse handle than Gordon.

He is obviously is bigger than Gordon too. .

 

I would take Gordon over Mayo, though. Rose would be my first choice at guard.

Gordon would scare me because of size though. Guards can e great at that size, but they take such a beating. Baron Davis and Dwyane Wade come to mind. Davis is always hurt and I think we have already seen the best of Wade. I, were I an NBA GM, would be a little leary of that.

[Magnetic Curses]

He was a top 2 lock before this season started. Now Rose and Beasley for sure go before him and Bayliss probably does. I think he and O.J. Mayo hurt their draft prospects by playing college ball. I would probably take Mayo before him as well.

 

i don't know why you'd take mayo over him, other than the obvious reason. they're like the same player, flip a coin. i'll take Gordon.

More ability to play the point, he is bigger, has a better handle, is a better defender, and I think he has shown the ability to make others around him better. I have yet to really see EJ demonstrate that.

 

he's not bigger and he's not a better defender, and he doesn't have a better handle. they're pretty equal across the board. furthermore, you're the one promoting DJ White as the best player in the big ten, but he's not better because of gordon?

 

He absolutely has a better handle than Gordon. I doubt you find any perimeter draft pick this year that has a worse handle than Gordon.

He is obviously is bigger than Gordon too. .

 

i don't know how you figure that. they're like the exact same size.

[Magnetic Curses]

He was a top 2 lock before this season started. Now Rose and Beasley for sure go before him and Bayliss probably does. I think he and O.J. Mayo hurt their draft prospects by playing college ball. I would probably take Mayo before him as well.

 

i don't know why you'd take mayo over him, other than the obvious reason. they're like the same player, flip a coin. i'll take Gordon.

More ability to play the point, he is bigger, has a better handle, is a better defender, and I think he has shown the ability to make others around him better. I have yet to really see EJ demonstrate that.

 

he's not bigger and he's not a better defender, and he doesn't have a better handle. they're pretty equal across the board. furthermore, you're the one promoting DJ White as the best player in the big ten, but he's not better because of gordon?

 

He absolutely has a better handle than Gordon. I doubt you find any perimeter draft pick this year that has a worse handle than Gordon.

He is obviously is bigger than Gordon too. .

 

I would take Gordon over Mayo, though. Rose would be my first choice at guard.

 

depends on what your need is. this is apples to oranges. i doubt you draft a point guar dif you already have one, and if you have one, you'd bve stupid to pass on gordon.

[illiniguy]

He was a top 2 lock before this season started. Now Rose and Beasley for sure go before him and Bayliss probably does. I think he and O.J. Mayo hurt their draft prospects by playing college ball. I would probably take Mayo before him as well.

 

i don't know why you'd take mayo over him, other than the obvious reason. they're like the same player, flip a coin. i'll take Gordon.

More ability to play the point, he is bigger, has a better handle, is a better defender, and I think he has shown the ability to make others around him better. I have yet to really see EJ demonstrate that.

 

he's not bigger and he's not a better defender, and he doesn't have a better handle. they're pretty equal across the board. furthermore, you're the one promoting DJ White as the best player in the big ten, but he's not better because of gordon?

 

He absolutely has a better handle than Gordon. I doubt you find any perimeter draft pick this year that has a worse handle than Gordon.

He is obviously is bigger than Gordon too. .

 

i don't know how you figure that. they're like the exact same size.

Because I doubt the listed size of Gordon. Seeing him stand next to other guys on the court makes me think his height has been doctored. Kinda like Dee Brown was 6'0". Especailly since Mayo can and will play some point at the next level. Whereas I don't think EJ can or will.

Edited March 13, 2008 by illiniguy

[Magnetic Curses]

He was a top 2 lock before this season started. Now Rose and Beasley for sure go before him and Bayliss probably does. I think he and O.J. Mayo hurt their draft prospects by playing college ball. I would probably take Mayo before him as well.

 

i don't know why you'd take mayo over him, other than the obvious reason. they're like the same player, flip a coin. i'll take Gordon.

More ability to play the point, he is bigger, has a better handle, is a better defender, and I think he has shown the ability to make others around him better. I have yet to really see EJ demonstrate that.

 

he's not bigger and he's not a better defender, and he doesn't have a better handle. they're pretty equal across the board. furthermore, you're the one promoting DJ White as the best player in the big ten, but he's not better because of gordon?

 

He absolutely has a better handle than Gordon. I doubt you find any perimeter draft pick this year that has a worse handle than Gordon.

He is obviously is bigger than Gordon too. .

 

i don't know how you figure that. they're like the exact same size.

Because I doubt the listed size of Gordon. Seeing him stand next to other guys on the court makes me think his height has been doctored. Kinda like Dee Brown was 6'0".

 

that's super convincing.

[illiniguy]

He was a top 2 lock before this season started. Now Rose and Beasley for sure go before him and Bayliss probably does. I think he and O.J. Mayo hurt their draft prospects by playing college ball. I would probably take Mayo before him as well.

 

i don't know why you'd take mayo over him, other than the obvious reason. they're like the same player, flip a coin. i'll take Gordon.

More ability to play the point, he is bigger, has a better handle, is a better defender, and I think he has shown the ability to make others around him better. I have yet to really see EJ demonstrate that.

 

he's not bigger and he's not a better defender, and he doesn't have a better handle. they're pretty equal across the board. furthermore, you're the one promoting DJ White as the best player in the big ten, but he's not better because of gordon?

 

He absolutely has a better handle than Gordon. I doubt you find any perimeter draft pick this year that has a worse handle than Gordon.

He is obviously is bigger than Gordon too. .

 

i don't know how you figure that. they're like the exact same size.

Because I doubt the listed size of Gordon. Seeing him stand next to other guys on the court makes me think his height has been doctored. Kinda like Dee Brown was 6'0".

 

that's super convincing.

Oh well. Your argument about how Gordon had a better handle was riveting up until the IU fan shot you down with it.

[Magnetic Curses]

Oh well. Your argument about how Gordon had a better handle was riveting up until the IU fan shot you down with it.

 

gordon may be a poor ball handler, but mayo is just as bad. like i said, they'r ealmost the exact same player.

 

i'll listen to exile, he makes good points. oh, and he actually isn't the worst poster on this whole board.

[Flames24Rulz]

Oh well. Your argument about how Gordon had a better handle was riveting up until the IU fan shot you down with it.

 

gordon may be a poor ball handler, but mayo is just as bad. like i said, they'r ealmost the exact same player.

 

i'll listen to exile, he makes good points. oh, and he actually isn't the worst poster on this whole board.

 

I do think Mayo will be the taller of the two when they are officially measured, but how much does an inch really matter?

 

They're both going to be undersized 2 guards that can't handle the rock.

[Magnetic Curses]

Oh well. Your argument about how Gordon had a better handle was riveting up until the IU fan shot you down with it.

 

gordon may be a poor ball handler, but mayo is just as bad. like i said, they'r ealmost the exact same player.

 

i'll listen to exile, he makes good points. oh, and he actually isn't the worst poster on this whole board.

 

I do think Mayo will be the taller of the two when they are officially measured, but how much does an inch really matter?

 

They're both going to be undersized 2 guards that can't handle the rock.

 

i think they'll both be okay in the league. i just don't know why anyone would really see one as definitely better than the other.

[CubColtPacer]

The biggest difference I see in their stats this year is that Gordon gets to the foul line a lot more, which ends up making him a more efficient scorer (1.62 points per shot to 1.29 for Mayo). Mayo has slightly higher assist and rebound numbers. Their turnovers are identical.

 

I love Gordon's defensive game most of the time, so I would have a hard time definitely taking Mayo over him in that regard.

 

Mayo has a better 3 point shooting percentage, but Gordon's injury and the fact that Gordon shoots most of his shots at beyond NBA range already is part of the reason for that difference. Gordon's percentage is likely to even maybe go up slightly in the NBA, while Mayo's will certainly go down.

 

It's a close call. I'd probably take Gordon because some of the things that have plagued him at the college game won't be a problem in the NBA. Almost half his turnovers are traveling calls where he shuffles his feet before he takes a step. It isn't a very big traveling call, and it isn't called often in the NBA.

 

I think both will be better off going to a town in which they aren't the superstar though. Both of them struggle against doubleteams and will have much less of turnover problems if they draw less attention from the defense.

 

I do doubt Gordon's height a little bit, but I think he could survive in the NBA defensively because of his weight. 215 pounds is big enough that he won't get pushed around by other shooting guards, although they will be able to shoot over him.

[illiniguy]

Oh well. Your argument about how Gordon had a better handle was riveting up until the IU fan shot you down with it.

 

gordon may be a poor ball handler, but mayo is just as bad. like i said, they'r ealmost the exact same player.

 

i'll listen to exile, he makes good points. oh, and he actually isn't the worst poster on this whole board.

You are very mature.

[illiniguy]

The biggest difference I see in their stats this year is that Gordon gets to the foul line a lot more, which ends up making him a more efficient scorer (1.62 points per shot to 1.29 for Mayo). Mayo has slightly higher assist and rebound numbers. Their turnovers are identical.

 

I love Gordon's defensive game most of the time, so I would have a hard time definitely taking Mayo over him in that regard.

 

Mayo has a better 3 point shooting percentage, but Gordon's injury and the fact that Gordon shoots most of his shots at beyond NBA range already is part of the reason for that difference. Gordon's percentage is likely to even maybe go up slightly in the NBA, while Mayo's will certainly go down.

 

It's a close call. I'd probably take Gordon because some of the things that have plagued him at the college game won't be a problem in the NBA. Almost half his turnovers are traveling calls where he shuffles his feet before he takes a step. It isn't a very big traveling call, and it isn't called often in the NBA.

 

I think both will be better off going to a town in which they aren't the superstar though. Both of them struggle against doubleteams and will have much less of turnover problems if they draw less attention from the defense.

 

I do doubt Gordon's height a little bit, but I think he could survive in the NBA defensively because of his weight. 215 pounds is big enough that he won't get pushed around by other shooting guards, although they will be able to shoot over him.

Couldn't it be argued that Gordon shoots from so deep because he struggles to get enough space to shoot the three? Wouldn't that be more of a problem in the NBA where most of the defenders are bigger?

[Magnetic Curses]

Oh well. Your argument about how Gordon had a better handle was riveting up until the IU fan shot you down with it.

 

gordon may be a poor ball handler, but mayo is just as bad. like i said, they'r ealmost the exact same player.

 

i'll listen to exile, he makes good points. oh, and he actually isn't the worst poster on this whole board.

You are very mature.

 

bad.

[illiniguy]

Oh well. Your argument about how Gordon had a better handle was riveting up until the IU fan shot you down with it.

 

gordon may be a poor ball handler, but mayo is just as bad. like i said, they'r ealmost the exact same player.

 

i'll listen to exile, he makes good points. oh, and he actually isn't the worst poster on this whole board.

You are very mature.

 

bad.

Again good one.

[Magnetic Curses]

Oh well. Your argument about how Gordon had a better handle was riveting up until the IU fan shot you down with it.

 

gordon may be a poor ball handler, but mayo is just as bad. like i said, they'r ealmost the exact same player.

 

i'll listen to exile, he makes good points. oh, and he actually isn't the worst poster on this whole board.

You are very mature.

 

bad.

Again good one.

 

worse.

[CubColtPacer]

The biggest difference I see in their stats this year is that Gordon gets to the foul line a lot more, which ends up making him a more efficient scorer (1.62 points per shot to 1.29 for Mayo). Mayo has slightly higher assist and rebound numbers. Their turnovers are identical.

 

I love Gordon's defensive game most of the time, so I would have a hard time definitely taking Mayo over him in that regard.

 

Mayo has a better 3 point shooting percentage, but Gordon's injury and the fact that Gordon shoots most of his shots at beyond NBA range already is part of the reason for that difference. Gordon's percentage is likely to even maybe go up slightly in the NBA, while Mayo's will certainly go down.

 

It's a close call. I'd probably take Gordon because some of the things that have plagued him at the college game won't be a problem in the NBA. Almost half his turnovers are traveling calls where he shuffles his feet before he takes a step. It isn't a very big traveling call, and it isn't called often in the NBA.

 

I think both will be better off going to a town in which they aren't the superstar though. Both of them struggle against doubleteams and will have much less of turnover problems if they draw less attention from the defense.

 

I do doubt Gordon's height a little bit, but I think he could survive in the NBA defensively because of his weight. 215 pounds is big enough that he won't get pushed around by other shooting guards, although they will be able to shoot over him.

Couldn't it be argued that Gordon shoots from so deep because he struggles to get enough space to shoot the three? Wouldn't that be more of a problem in the NBA where most of the defenders are bigger?

 

It could, although I argue that space for 3 pointers is more about your teammates. 3 pointers in the NBA typically come off 3 things:

 

1) A screen, either with the screen inside and the player runs out for the catch and the quick shot, or the ball screen on the outside to free the player up for a 3.

2) Transition 3

3) doubling of the inside player causes people to be open for a 3.

 

Gordon gets none of those advantages. There is nobody that can set a screen well that is any type of offensive threat, so both defenders go to Gordon. Even if White sets a screen, which is not his strong suit, both defenders go to Gordon anyway and they switch off to White, which leaves the power forward wide open. IU ran a decent amount of this early in the season and then threw it to the open power forward, who promptly fumbled it out of bounds.

 

IU's offense doesn't use any transition 3's, and nobody ever comes off of Gordon to be the doubleteam on White.

 

That's why Gordon has to shoot from 5 feet behind the line all the time, and I don't think that will be the case in the NBA.

[illiniguy]

The biggest difference I see in their stats this year is that Gordon gets to the foul line a lot more, which ends up making him a more efficient scorer (1.62 points per shot to 1.29 for Mayo). Mayo has slightly higher assist and rebound numbers. Their turnovers are identical.

 

I love Gordon's defensive game most of the time, so I would have a hard time definitely taking Mayo over him in that regard.

 

Mayo has a better 3 point shooting percentage, but Gordon's injury and the fact that Gordon shoots most of his shots at beyond NBA range already is part of the reason for that difference. Gordon's percentage is likely to even maybe go up slightly in the NBA, while Mayo's will certainly go down.

 

It's a close call. I'd probably take Gordon because some of the things that have plagued him at the college game won't be a problem in the NBA. Almost half his turnovers are traveling calls where he shuffles his feet before he takes a step. It isn't a very big traveling call, and it isn't called often in the NBA.

 

I think both will be better off going to a town in which they aren't the superstar though. Both of them struggle against doubleteams and will have much less of turnover problems if they draw less attention from the defense.

 

I do doubt Gordon's height a little bit, but I think he could survive in the NBA defensively because of his weight. 215 pounds is big enough that he won't get pushed around by other shooting guards, although they will be able to shoot over him.

Couldn't it be argued that Gordon shoots from so deep because he struggles to get enough space to shoot the three? Wouldn't that be more of a problem in the NBA where most of the defenders are bigger?

 

It could, although I argue that space for 3 pointers is more about your teammates. 3 pointers in the NBA typically come off 3 things:

 

1) A screen, either with the screen inside and the player runs out for the catch and the quick shot, or the ball screen on the outside to free the player up for a 3.

2) Transition 3

3) doubling of the inside player causes people to be open for a 3.

 

Gordon gets none of those advantages. There is nobody that can set a screen well that is any type of offensive threat, so both defenders go to Gordon. Even if White sets a screen, which is not his strong suit, both defenders go to Gordon anyway and they switch off to White, which leaves the power forward wide open. IU ran a decent amount of this early in the season and then threw it to the open power forward, who promptly fumbled it out of bounds.

 

IU's offense doesn't use any transition 3's, and nobody ever comes off of Gordon to be the doubleteam on White.

 

That's why Gordon has to shoot from 5 feet behind the line all the time, and I don't think that will be the case in the NBA.

Well in the NBA he will get a lot more transition threes. He is likely to be picked high enough to a team though, that will not have a post player who warrants a double team. I don't think his percentages will jump at all in the NBA. They rarely do.

[CubColtPacer]

The biggest difference I see in their stats this year is that Gordon gets to the foul line a lot more, which ends up making him a more efficient scorer (1.62 points per shot to 1.29 for Mayo). Mayo has slightly higher assist and rebound numbers. Their turnovers are identical.

 

I love Gordon's defensive game most of the time, so I would have a hard time definitely taking Mayo over him in that regard.

 

Mayo has a better 3 point shooting percentage, but Gordon's injury and the fact that Gordon shoots most of his shots at beyond NBA range already is part of the reason for that difference. Gordon's percentage is likely to even maybe go up slightly in the NBA, while Mayo's will certainly go down.

 

It's a close call. I'd probably take Gordon because some of the things that have plagued him at the college game won't be a problem in the NBA. Almost half his turnovers are traveling calls where he shuffles his feet before he takes a step. It isn't a very big traveling call, and it isn't called often in the NBA.

 

I think both will be better off going to a town in which they aren't the superstar though. Both of them struggle against doubleteams and will have much less of turnover problems if they draw less attention from the defense.

 

I do doubt Gordon's height a little bit, but I think he could survive in the NBA defensively because of his weight. 215 pounds is big enough that he won't get pushed around by other shooting guards, although they will be able to shoot over him.

Couldn't it be argued that Gordon shoots from so deep because he struggles to get enough space to shoot the three? Wouldn't that be more of a problem in the NBA where most of the defenders are bigger?

 

It could, although I argue that space for 3 pointers is more about your teammates. 3 pointers in the NBA typically come off 3 things:

 

1) A screen, either with the screen inside and the player runs out for the catch and the quick shot, or the ball screen on the outside to free the player up for a 3.

2) Transition 3

3) doubling of the inside player causes people to be open for a 3.

 

Gordon gets none of those advantages. There is nobody that can set a screen well that is any type of offensive threat, so both defenders go to Gordon. Even if White sets a screen, which is not his strong suit, both defenders go to Gordon anyway and they switch off to White, which leaves the power forward wide open. IU ran a decent amount of this early in the season and then threw it to the open power forward, who promptly fumbled it out of bounds.

 

IU's offense doesn't use any transition 3's, and nobody ever comes off of Gordon to be the doubleteam on White.

 

That's why Gordon has to shoot from 5 feet behind the line all the time, and I don't think that will be the case in the NBA.

Well in the NBA he will get a lot more transition threes. He is likely to be picked high enough to a team though, that will not have a post player who warrants a double team. I don't think his percentages will jump at all in the NBA. They rarely do.

 

With the comment about his percentage rising, that was more about the injury. His 3 point percentage has plummeted since he re-hurt his wrist a month ago. He's 10 for his last 50 after being at 41.1 percent on February 10th.

[Magnetic Curses]

 

With the comment about his percentage rising, that was more about the injury. His 3 point percentage has plummeted since he re-hurt his wrist a month ago. He's 10 for his last 50 after being at 41.1 percent on February 10th.

 

i do know that gordon has one of the quickest, prettiest, most fundamentally sound releases in the game and will instantly be a 3-point killer in the NBA.

[illiniguy]

The biggest difference I see in their stats this year is that Gordon gets to the foul line a lot more, which ends up making him a more efficient scorer (1.62 points per shot to 1.29 for Mayo). Mayo has slightly higher assist and rebound numbers. Their turnovers are identical.

 

I love Gordon's defensive game most of the time, so I would have a hard time definitely taking Mayo over him in that regard.

 

Mayo has a better 3 point shooting percentage, but Gordon's injury and the fact that Gordon shoots most of his shots at beyond NBA range already is part of the reason for that difference. Gordon's percentage is likely to even maybe go up slightly in the NBA, while Mayo's will certainly go down.

 

It's a close call. I'd probably take Gordon because some of the things that have plagued him at the college game won't be a problem in the NBA. Almost half his turnovers are traveling calls where he shuffles his feet before he takes a step. It isn't a very big traveling call, and it isn't called often in the NBA.

 

I think both will be better off going to a town in which they aren't the superstar though. Both of them struggle against doubleteams and will have much less of turnover problems if they draw less attention from the defense.

 

I do doubt Gordon's height a little bit, but I think he could survive in the NBA defensively because of his weight. 215 pounds is big enough that he won't get pushed around by other shooting guards, although they will be able to shoot over him.

Couldn't it be argued that Gordon shoots from so deep because he struggles to get enough space to shoot the three? Wouldn't that be more of a problem in the NBA where most of the defenders are bigger?

 

It could, although I argue that space for 3 pointers is more about your teammates. 3 pointers in the NBA typically come off 3 things:

 

1) A screen, either with the screen inside and the player runs out for the catch and the quick shot, or the ball screen on the outside to free the player up for a 3.

2) Transition 3

3) doubling of the inside player causes people to be open for a 3.

 

Gordon gets none of those advantages. There is nobody that can set a screen well that is any type of offensive threat, so both defenders go to Gordon. Even if White sets a screen, which is not his strong suit, both defenders go to Gordon anyway and they switch off to White, which leaves the power forward wide open. IU ran a decent amount of this early in the season and then threw it to the open power forward, who promptly fumbled it out of bounds.

 

IU's offense doesn't use any transition 3's, and nobody ever comes off of Gordon to be the doubleteam on White.

 

That's why Gordon has to shoot from 5 feet behind the line all the time, and I don't think that will be the case in the NBA.

Well in the NBA he will get a lot more transition threes. He is likely to be picked high enough to a team though, that will not have a post player who warrants a double team. I don't think his percentages will jump at all in the NBA. They rarely do.

 

With the comment about his percentage rising, that was more about the injury. His 3 point percentage has plummeted since he re-hurt his wrist a month ago. He's 10 for his last 50 after being at 41.1 percent on February 10th.

Gotcha. I would guess he would shoot in the mid 30's his first year. As it is pretty rare for a rookie who shoots as much as EJ will to shoot higher than that.