The Kelvin Sampson-Eric Gordon Connection?
by Ridiculous Matt
on May 19, 2008 1:00 AM EDT
in NBA Draft 2008
Awesome blogger Frank Madden from BrewHoop pointed out something in the comments that I wanted to touch on.
Recently the Bucks hired former Indiana head coach Kelvin Sampson as an assistant coach to Scott Skiles. It's not particularly bizarre, considering less than a month ago former Bucks GM Larry Harris was in Austin visiting Spurs GM RC Buford, who was also entertaining Sampson at an Austin Toros NBA D-League game (Sampson has done consulting work for the Spurs since parting ways with Indiana).
What is interesting is that the Bucks are mathematically likely to get pick #7. The biggest debate in the first 10 picks outside of Rose vs. Beasley is between OJ Mayo, Jerryd Bayless, and Eric Gordon. Since it's also likely Mayo and Bayless are likely to be gone, the Bucks will be faced with a difficult decision. Take the 2nd best point guard available (Russell Westbrook or DJ Augustin), or take Eric Gordon.
That's Eric Gordon, SG, out of Indiana University. Where Coach Sampson coached him last year. An interesting correlation regardless.
We base our analysis based on what teams should do, and we're never going to say that a team that was one of the worst in the league should use a top 10 pick on a small guard when they have Michael Redd. Of course, the option to trade Redd is always there. Redd is a pure scorer shooting guard, which goes pretty high on the market and hasn't exactly poured in the wins. It would be a progressive move, but a risky one, and hard to negotiate, given Redd's contract.
We're going to keep an eye for how the Bucks approach Gordon.
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Voted “no,” but it’s a toss-up between that and the last option (itchy vote trigger; trading Redd but not drafting Gordon is probably my preference). Not opposed to dealing Redd whatsoever but would rather hold onto Redd than deal him for Gordon, who, like Redd, straight-up loves to shoot, but isn’t as good at doing it.
by Alex Boeder on May 19, 2008 10:32 AM EDT 0 recs
I voted “They can try but it won’t happen” which is mainly referring to a Redd trade. Like Alex, I don’t see Gordon as the most logical pick at 7 when you have Westbrook and Randolph probably still on the board. At least right now I’d prefer those guys, but a lot can change in the next month.
Also worth noting that while Sampson might be singing Gordon’s praises, Skiles might see a bit too much of Ben Gordon in him. Not that Ben didn’t do some nice things in Chicago, but I’m not sure “draft an undersized two guard” is at the top of Skiles/Hammond’s wish list.
by Frank Madden on May 19, 2008 11:06 AM EDT 0 recs
I voted ‘Trade Redd but don’t draft Gordon’ because both players will completely undermine what Skiles is trying to fix: defense. We’ve already got an undersized two guard (Mo Williams…wait, he’s a PG? Really?) who doesn’t play much defense, having a Swiss Cheese backcourt is not the recipe for success.
Also, here’s another thing to consider; if the Bucks draft Eric Gordon, is Kelvin Sampson going to try to impose his will and get Gordon more PT, even if he doesn’t deserve it? I guess I think that the priorities amongst the coaching staff would be out of wack.
I see the team trading Redd and not getting enough in return for him, leading the team to a level of mediocrity slightly better in wins but much worse on offense.
-- "I do know that I plead the fizzif."
by Mitchell_M on May 19, 2008 4:05 PM EDT 0 recs
I voted They can try but it won't happen.
Mostly because I don’t think any other team will value Redd as much as the Bucks do. I do like Gordon though, just not for the Bucks.
I am like your Dan Aykroyd and biglow would be Jane, the ignorant slut. -Chad
by thecoolest on May 19, 2008 5:26 PM EDT 0 recs
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