2014 NBA Mock Draft: An in-depth look at both rounds
By Joe Nardone
Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
11. Denver Nuggets – Aaron Gordon, SF/PF, Arizona
H: 6′ 9″ W: 220 lbs DOB: 09/16/1995
2013-14 NCAA (38 GP) 12.4 PPG 8.0 RPG 2.0 APG 20.8 PER
Not sure how between Joe and I we let Aaron Gordon slip out of the top-ten, because I’d almost bet my life that won’t be the case come draft day. In my mock drafts this is where I’ve had Dario Saric landing, so why not replace him with a tweener forward who’s almost the polar opposite of the Croatian scorer?
Gordon might be the best defensive player in this draft, as he showed in college that he can defend the perimeter, guard bigs, and is an absolute stud in transition. Athletically speaking Gordon’s a freak of nature, and despite not being the most skilled when it comes to scoring the ball, he’s a high motor, high IQ player on the offensive end, specializing in short-range jumpers, putbacks, and grabbing offensive rebounds. Gordon being labeled as a tweener isn’t so much a knock on his size or skill set, as it is a compliment to how diverse his game is for a guy his size. — Jared