There aren’t many players in the NBA who have gotten off to better starts than the Nuggets’ Aaron Gordon. He started off the season with the most efficient 50-point scoring game in league history, hitting 10-11 three-point attempts. Then on Saturday night, in an easy win over the Suns, he scintillated the home fans with a wild 360 dunk on an alley oop.
This small, two-game sample illustrates a much larger point that AG is one of the most versatile players in the league. He’s been somewhat pigeon-holed in Denver as a dunker spot play finisher and a defensive leader.
But don’t forget, Gordon began his career as a go-to guy for the Magic. He has the skills to play with or without the ball, to go inside and out, to finish highlight dunks at the rim, and now, to be an elite three-point shooter. Add those offensive dynamics to his stellar defense, and that’s the recipe for an excellent NBA player.
Gordon doesn’t get proper credit for doing dirty work
Aaron was overtasked in Orlando and was never going to be the best player on a title team. But he’s arguably undertasked in Denver, where he is more of an afterthought behind Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray. It has obviously been a great role for AG, and one that has made the Nuggets one of the best teams in the league for the past few years, but it’s clearly capping Gordon’s individual performances.
It’s easy to forget the kind of numbers he once put up, but that player is still in there. We saw some of it during the opening night performance in Golden State, and we should see more of it as the year goes on.
With the added depth on the roster, Gordon can be used more creatively this season. He should get plenty of chances to play on the wing and initiate offense. With his combination of size and skill, he should be a guy who targets mismatches and picks on weaker players.
There’s much more below the surface with AG, and now his game is more polished than ever, and he looks fully healthy and ready to have an incredible year. He has become somewhat of a role player for the Nuggets, but make no mistake, Gordon is a star-level talent, and he has somehow become the most underrated player in the whole league.