Eric Gordon
SG, Indiana · 2008 NBA Draft, 1st round, pick #7 (LAC)
Why he was overlooked Patterns
Nothing in our pre-draft data flagged him as a steal: his age, school, testing and position profile looked like a typical pick in his range. The gap opened after the draft, on the field.
- Pre-draft rankings
ESPN's pre-draft board ranked him #7 (#2 at his position), close to where he went (#7).
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 51.8% of the time (765 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- Age
19.5 years old on draft night (born 1988-12-25).
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 51.7% of the time (300 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- Path to the draft
Played college basketball at Indiana.
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 53.2% of the time (1,015 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- Position
SG (ESPN draft listing).
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 48.9% of the time (499 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- Availability
Played 931 games over 18 NBA seasons (~63% of a full 82-game schedule each year).
Every line comes from data: Basketball-Reference career data; ESPN's draft profile; Wikidata birth dates. No scouting reports or quotes. Green = pointed toward a steal for him.
Career numbers
| Seasons | 18 |
| Games | 931 |
| Minutes / game | 31.1 |
| Points / game | 15.2 |
| Rebounds / game | 2.3 |
| Assists / game | 2.7 |
| Win Shares (career) | 42.1 |
| VORP | 9.1 |
| Box Plus/Minus | -0.8 |
The 2008 class: draft pick vs. redraft rank Full redraft
Each dot is a 2008 pick. Dashed line = typical redraft rank for each slot (2000–2021 classes). Above the line = beat his slot.
How players like him did
| Pre-draft rankings Within 10 picks of ESPN's rank | 51.8% n=765 | |
| Age Under 20 | 51.7% n=300 | |
| Path to the draft US college | 53.2% n=1,015 | |
| Position Guard | 48.9% n=499 |
Share of 2000–2021 picks with the same trait who beat their draft slot. Line = 50%.
Measurables & pre-draft
| Height / weight | 6' 3", 222 lbs |
| Age on draft night | 19.5 |
| Born | Indianapolis |
| ESPN pre-draft rank | #7 overall (#2 SG) |
Picked around him 2008 redraft
| 4 | Russell Westbrook | redraft #1 |
| 5 | Kevin Love | redraft #2 |
| 6 | Danilo Gallinari | redraft #7 |
| 8 | Joe Alexander | redraft #42 |
| 9 | D.J. Augustin | redraft #12 |
| 10 | Brook Lopez | redraft #3 |
How verdicts and reasons are computed: methodology. Steal / bust = 15+ spots better / worse than the typical redraft rank for the slot.