NBA Preview: 2014-15 NBA Rookie Class Studs And Duds

Mar 27, 2014; Anaheim, CA, USA; Arizona Wildcats forward Aaron Gordon (11) dunks the ball past San Diego State Aztecs forward Matt Shrigley (40) during the second half in the semifinals of the west regional of the 2014 NCAA Mens Basketball Championship tournament at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

DUD

Aaron Gordon, F Orlando Magic

From the very start, I wasn’t a fan of the Orlando Magic selecting Aaron Gordon with the fourth overall pick in the draft. Don’t get me wrong, he is a great athlete but with guys like Julius Randle, Noah Vonleh, and even Doug McDermott still on the board Gordon was a reach. Personally, I think Randle, Vonleh, and McDermott will all be better pros than Gordon.

Apparently, they are seeing a different route and decided to go to an athletic forward. Gordon seems to be getting a lot of comparisons to Blake Griffin, but what exactly is the logic behind that comparison?

They are both light-skinned and can dunk?

Gordon doesn’t have anywhere near the post game Griffin has or had at the University of Oklahoma, for that matter.

There is significant room for improvement for Gordon and I just don’t see it happening. A better option would have been Randle with their pick. They could use a low post scorer alongside Nikola Vucevic in the post. I officially challenge Gordon to prove me wrong, but until then my opinion remains the same.