Saturday, April 5, 2014

Johnson, Hollis-Jefferson and Gordon

Greg Hansen writes on the reasons why Nick Johnson and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson should not turn professional right now (at least not if either expects success in the NBA). I would venture to say Johnson isn't a consistent enough shooter period, being at 43% overall and 37% on threes. He gets a lot of open looks due to the talent level surrounding him and the excellent sharing of the basketball by Arizona so those numbers need to be higher.

Hansen doesn't address Aaron Gordon but maybe that will be in another column. Yes, AG certainly has limitations but so do Andrew Wiggins, Joel Embiid, Jabari Parker, Julius Randle, Dante Exum, Marcus Smart and Noah Vonleh (these are the talents ahead of him in the latest Draft Express rankings). I may be Bay Area-blinded, but Gordon can defend any of these guys, he'll match if not exceed them in rebounds and his body is readymade for the NBA. Ballhandling, separation skills and a smoother jumpshot can be taught.

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