The Indiana Pacers’ Larry Bird won’t have to worry about fan reaction if he doesn’t select Indiana University guard Eric
Gordon with the team’s No. 11 overall pick in the June 26 National Basketball Association draft.
After a recent workout with the Los Angeles Clippers, sources close to the team said Clippers higher-ups were pleased with Gordon’s shooting touch and range and overall strength, and will likely take the him with their No. 7 selection.
One thing that has concerned Clippers and other teams is Gordon’s soft appearance. One team official said Gordon looks like he needs to hit the weight room.
If the Clippers opt not to take Gordon at No. 7, league sources said the Milwaukee Bucks also are high on the shooting guard after seeing him go through an individual workout. The Bucks have the No. 8 overall pick.
Neither team seems overly concerned about Gordon’s height, which was listed in the IU media guide as 6-foot-4, but was measured two inches shorter at a gathering of NBA draft prospects last month.
Bird said he did not bring Gordon in for an individual look because he thought the IU product would be gone before the No. 11 pick. League sources said Bird is not high on Gordon’s NBA potential anyway.
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But Gordon’s other statistics measured up nicely against other lottery prospects. His 40-inch vertical leap was four inches better than Kansas’ Michael Beasley and two inches better than Arizona’s Jerryd Bayless. Memphis’ Derrick Rose also registered a 40-inch vertical leap. The only player of note with a higher jump was USC’s O.J. Mayo, who leapt 41 inches.
Gordon’s 3.01-second three-quarters floor sprint was better than Rose’s 3.05, Bayless’ 3.07 and Mayo’s 3.14. Beasley went 2.99.
Gordon surprised many on the agility course, registering a 10.81 seconds. The silky smooth Mayo could only manage a 11.04, while Bayless went 11.26, Beasley went 11.33 and Rose went 11.69.
Gordon also outshined most of the competition in strength drills. He lifted 185 pounds 15 times. Mayo could only lift 185 pounds seven times, while Bayless and Rose hoisted the weight 10 times. Beasley matched Gordon, and went four more, lifting 185 pounds 19 times.
Gordon was stronger than the other draft heavyweights (other than beasley). Why would a team official think Gordon needs to hit the gym unless he also thinks mayo, rose, and bayless need to as well?
There are issues with Gordon but it is clear that strength and conditioning is not one of them.