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Denver Nuggets: 3 goals for Aaron Gordon in 2022-23

By Rowan Fisher-Shotton

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 14: Aaron Gordon #50 of the Denver Nuggets looks on against the Golden State Warriors during the first half of an NBA basketball game at Chase Center on October 14, 2022 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 14: Aaron Gordon #50 of the Denver Nuggets looks on against the Golden State Warriors during the first half of an NBA basketball game at Chase Center on October 14, 2022 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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DENVER, COLORADO – OCTOBER 03: Tre Mann #23 of the Oklahoma City Thunder drives against Aaron Gordon #50 of the Denver Nuggets in the first period during a pre-season game at Ball Arena on October 3, 2022 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
DENVER, COLORADO – OCTOBER 03: Tre Mann #23 of the Oklahoma City Thunder drives against Aaron Gordon #50 of the Denver Nuggets in the first period during a pre-season game at Ball Arena on October 3, 2022 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /

Goal for Nuggets’ Aaron Gordon: First or Second Team All-Defense

Despite finishing second on the team in scoring last season with 15 points per game, it’s Aaron Gordon’s defense that’s garnered all of the attention.

In Gordon’s first full season in Denver, he was constantly left with the task of guarding the opposing team’s top perimeter option regardless of size. The issue was that this often led to various mismatches with Gordon having to defend quicker and more agile guards like Ja Morant, De’Aaron Fox, and Donovan Mitchell.

Now, however, the Denver Nuggets have re-upped on the defensive side of the ball by bringing in guys like Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Bruce Brown. Both of whom will be primarily responsible for shutting down the top perimeter option on the other side of the court, taking pressure off Gordon to fill this role.

Gordon might not wreak havoc or make a ton of flashy plays on defense, but he’s absolutely vital to the success of the team because of how valuable he is as a switchable defender.

He has a rock-solid build with elite strength and lateral movement that allows him to guard multiple positions, specifically in and around the rim. However, with the recent additions of KCP and Brown, not to mention the fiery Christian Braun, Denver can unlock Aaron Gordon’s true potential as a help defender near the paint.

Nikola Jokic offers tons of size and length on defense, which along with his positioning and quick hands allows him to disrupt a solid number of plays. Although, he’s still somewhat of a liability in space due to his athletic deficiencies and offers little to no value in contesting shots at the rim as a result.

This is why Aaron Gordon is such an integral part of this team.

With Caldwell-Pope and Brown now on the roster, Gordon can allocate more of his energy to helping Jokic defend the paint, which won’t just improve Denver’s ability to shut down opposing offenses but also Gordon’s chances of clinching a spot on his first-ever NBA All-Defensive Team.

Throughout his professional career, Aaron Gordon is averaging just 0.7 steals and 0.6 blocks per game, which won’t be enough for him to land on either team. That being said, he should see more of an opportunity to improve this season given his new role on defense.

If Gordon can take advantage of being the team’s go-to interior defender and consistently average at least one block per game, he could easily find himself on one of the NBA’s two All-Defensive teams. After all, Draymond Green made the All-Defensive Second Team last season averaging just over one steal and one block per game.

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