If he wants to be picked in the top 10 this year, he should go. Why? Because of the neverending cycle of NBA teams drafting on "potential." Is Eric Gordon really one of the top 10 talents in all of college basketball? No, he isn't.
Gordon is supposed to announce his intentions on whether he is declaring for the NBA draft or not this week. While the press conference will certainly draw a slew of media, I think the real buzz with Indiana is going to stay with new coach Tom Crean. When asked about the situation, Gordon's father was quoted by the Indianapolis Star as saying:
The new coach isn't a part of the process. I don't think it's a factor. It isn't for me. The factors are your season that just took place, how you progressed. Was it beneficial? What are the pros and cons? What would be the benefits of staying another year, two years, all four years and what would be the benefits of entering the draft and finishing your degree online?
Well, I'm glad that his father isn't worried about the new coach. I was worried about that! I'm also happy to see that with Jr's new millions, his father will push for him to finish an online degree. Note to Eric Gordon Sr: Jr will be able to head to a regular campus and finish his schooling during the summers if he really wants to.
Should Gordon declare for the draft or should he stay in school? I think he should declare. His stock has already taken a big hit with his play at the end of the season. Gordon came in as a lock for the top 5 picks in this year's draft. Now, he is on the verge of falling out of the top 10. I found this little summary of Eric Gordon on ESPN:
Coming into the season, many scouts felt that Gordon was as talented as O.J. Mayo and Derrick Rose -- he just didn't generate quite the hype. As a freshman at Indiana, he's lived up to the high expectations as an explosive scorer and excellent defender. On the right team, he can be a superstar. Right now he looks like a likely Top 10 pick.
Excellent defender? Really? I must've missed that one when I watched IU play. Here this whole time I thought he was playing horribly lazy defense. Come to find out, Gordon was playing "excellent" defense!
The summary is right about him being an explosive scorer though. Gordon did average 21 points per game this season. However, his shooting touch left for quite a bit of improvement. He only shot 43% from the field and 34% from 3-point range.
So which team would take a chance on him? Well, I am going to assume that Michael Beasley and Derrick Rose are going to be the top two picks. After that, it's a toss-up. He could fall anywhere from 3 to 14 really. It all depends on who is drafting and what their strategy is. Are they drafting for the best available or for a certain positon? Are they drafting to play this kid right away, or are they going to let him develop that first season and play him in spot minutes? These questions won't be answered until the lottery order is decided.
Gordon will definitely be in the first round, which is guaranteed money. If that is all he wants, then I'd say stay another year of school. He won't fall out of the first round with another year like this one. But, if he wants to be considered a top 10 pick, he better go this year and have a few good workouts to solidify that spot.
Personally, I think he should stay and let Tom Crean develop him into a defensive monster this season. But, then again, I'm not in the spot to make to millions!
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How tall is he? 6'3''? Go now. He is an undersized 2 alla Ben Gordon without the great 3 point shot.