Aaron Gordon - Multifunctional Forward

Aaron Gordon. At one point, I thought the best outcome for him was to be a Matrix-lite. He’s got a little bit of the Shawn Marion in him. The frame, the build, the quickness, agility, leaping ability, and strength are all there. Blending those attributes isn’t the easiest thing in the world but what helps AG is that rare and very specific kind of balance that makes for brilliant basketball players. He’s never been in the best basketball situation because he’s been with Orlando his entire career - but here’s hoping his future is brighter than the Florida sunshine he has seen since 2014.

Per Cleaning the Glass, he’s at a career-high 25.2% usage rate and that puts him in the 89th percentile amongst forward. His assist percentage (that is what percentage of his teammates’ shots did he assist on) is at 22.8% which is in the 96th percentile amongst forwards. That’s truly amazing given the roster he and Nikola Vucevic have had to be surrounded by this season. No disrespect is intended to Steve Clifford because that man has done the absolute best anyone can ask with an injury plagued roster amidst the actual plague. AG is shooting 41% from three overall and 42% on above the break triples AND he’s attempting 4.2 free throws per game. Those free throw attempt numbers are better than the likes of Kyrie Irving, Fred VanVleet, Paul George, Tobias Harris, Khris Middleton, and Jamal Murray.

Per Synergy, he’s been excellent on handoffs - generating 1.154 points per possession (PPP). He’s also excellent at basket cuts (1.583 PPP) and as a spot up threat. When he can just catch and shoot, that is good for 1.297 PPP.

The video itself goes from the dunks that everybody knows him for because he was robbed of a number of dunk contests to him showing some off the dribble juice to passing to off ball ability to his range and ends with a few shot blocking clips I just had. He’s mesmerizingly multitalented and could fit in a number of situations.

His defense deserves a video because he can do so MANY things defensively (including win matchups switching at just about every position for stretches) but this was difficult enough to cobble together so that'll have to wait until HOPEFULLY he is with his new team.

Just look at 1:37 - I don’t think I’ve seen very many players be able to 1) TRY to go at Giannis like that and 2) succeed.

2:29 - that’s Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo he seems to be bullying on back to back possessions!

2:59 - he’s SNAKING that pick and roll. What.

All clips are from the 20/21 season.
For what it's worth, I'd love to see him play in the Northwest division. Maybe with a great passing big who is an MVP front runner.

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[cameronferguson]

The fact this dude can shoot off the drible now blows my mind. Like I never thought that would be a viable part of his skill set.

[walterreed]

the perfect replacement for jerami grant. the nuggets really made the best possible move they could, unloaded gary harris and rj hampton (he wasnt gonna get to develop into an impactful player in denver) and got a great defender and offball scorer and offers physical and athletic layers no one else on the nuggets can

[FallacyUnknown]

3 years he’s an nba champion and in my view the catalyst to bringing back the power forward spot in the NBA

[noworneverathletics]

His development has been enjoyable to watch. In high school he was a DOG in that paint dunking everything. Now he can hit the 3 (catch and shoot as well as of the dribble) and his handle will keep improving. Denver definitely has gotten better. But in order for them to really go over the top Jamal Murray HAS TO BE MORE CONSISTENT 27ppg is realistic for him without taking away from others.

[Richbeans]

I hope he can majorly adjust his shot selection. He has the potential to score more points on less shots than he did for the Magic. But all those tough, contested mid rangers are no longer needed.

[gwkiv]

You called it, he is now playing with an MVP frontrunning passing big.

[lucarony]

Seeing this guy play in high school I always knew he would be a star, I guess he’s just going to be a late bloomer

[willhooke]

Who is watching after Aaron Gordon went to Denver to join Nikola Jokic??

Lots of Mile High Dunks raining down ☔

[willhooke]

All those Pick & Pops to Nikola Vucevic

Now imagine them to Nikola Jokic
✅

[selfmade]

Definitely could have a Julius Randle type season on another team. I could see him as a 20-10-5 guy on the right team. Orlando is a mess. A bunch of power forwards and centers and no plan.

[willhooke]

Is Jokic going to have AG00 looking like James Worthy? 🤔