NBA Comparison:  Ben Gordon

Strengths: Instant offense type of shooter/scorer at the lead guard position …Very composed. Always on balance, never seems to rush things. Good pace to his game. Plays smart, values the basketball … Aggressive scorer with a crafty offensive game. Really knows how to create shots and has a strong one on one game. Good shot selection … Can knock opponents off balance and uses hesitation moves extremely well to create shots with opponents falling off balance and out of his way … Strong jump shooter and mid-range game with a strong ability to create shots for himself off the dribble … Beautiful shooting motion with excellent lift, a smooth, quick release and excellent overall form … Has the physique of an NBA linebacker with huge shoulders and a barrel chest and uses his excellent body strength to his advantage … Great strength allows him to absorb contact and finish around the rim … Strength also gives him deep range and the ability to shoot with the same accuracy late in games … Equally adept at spotting up or pulling up for shots off the dribble … Huge wingspan allows him to finish at the rim and play bigger than 6’2 … Handles the ball extremely well. A strong defender that anticipates well and uses his strength to wear down and frustrate smaller guards … Strong on the break … Has good speed when he gets a head of steam. Solid decision maker in transition …

Weaknesses: Solid athlete though nothing extraordinary. Lacks tremendous leaping ability … Lacks great blow by speed off the dribble … More of a scorer than a true point guard. Was not responsible for being the team’s primary point guard (Ronald Nored) … Vision and passing ability are below average for a point guard … Showing that he can be more of a full time lead guard and is capable of running the show would increase his value … Should look to increase his a/to ratio (1.46)… Playing at a mid-major, it’s tougher to prove his talent on a consistent basis … A year old for his class as he will turn 22 before the 2011 draft … Could be on a long learning curve at the next level due to his inexperience playing the PG position, which could result in being traded a few times before finding his game (ala Chauncey Billups)

Notes: The answer to the puzzle of Butler’s 2010 NCAA tourney success … Showed that he’s capable of hanging with the NCAA elite helping Gordon Hayward and Butler reach the title game with an impressive performance in the NCAA tourney … Is sure to take on a much bigger role in the offense with Hayward no longer on the team … A player that scouts are high on. Projected as a late first/early second round pick …

Aran Smith 8/24/10