7. Aaron Gordon – Orlando Magic/PF
When I first saw that Aaron Gordon was going to the Orlando Magic, with the fourth pick in the 2014 NBA Draft the only thing I could think was this. The Oakland Soldiers are going to have great representation with their pride and joy Gordon playing the lead man for the Magic.
I then realized my Miami Heat would have to play against him four times a season. I then though “Yes! Now I get to see all of the awesome pre game warmup dunk contests in Miami he’s going to hold.”
Though Gordon has a long way to go offensively, he impacts the game in different ways that will never appear on a stat sheet. Gordon may never average more than eight points in his rookie season, but it won’t matter because his Magic team are going to go through a lot of winning experiences because of his work ethic and his skill.
Defensively is where Gordon meets the mark. Gordon has the perfect combination of great lateral quickness and the superior strength to guard multiple positions on the court.
During his first game against the New Orleans Pelicans, Gordon actually showed a bit of an offensive game scoring 11 points, and shooting 62 percent from the field. Gordon also managed to snag three rebounds and block a shot. I once heard someone speak basketball wisdom and they said this “If you can’t shoot and have a terrible attitude, you’re dead.”
Gordon can’t shoot yet, but thankfully we may never have to say this man has a bad attitude. On the basketball court we can see that he genuinely loves playing the game of basketball and wants to do everything on the court he can get his hands on.
The Magic may need to get Gordon into the dunk contest, instead of waiting seven years in the league and saying “I’m preliminary throwing my name in the 2010 NBA Dunk Contest.” Though I strongly dislike the #00 that he wears, Gordon gets cool points for instantly attempting to make that a number.
Next: 6. NIK STAUSKAS