3. The Unlocking of Aaron Gordon
Aaron Gordon has always been one of those players who, on paper, should be a superstar. His intangibles are off the charts (6’8, 235 pounds, and a 39-inch vertical jump), and throughout his time in Orlando, he showed flashes of what he could become. It also didn’t help that his dunk contest performances provided even more pressure.
Alas, it didn’t work out in Orlando and through his first two years in Denver, it didn’t look like it was working there either.
Everything changed this year and Gordon finally looks like the player everyone thought he could be.
He is averaging 17 points for only the second time in his career (2017-18 with Orlando) but there is one big difference: he shot 43.4% that season. He sits at 61.1% right now.
Much of that increased efficiency and production comes from playing with Jokic and he has been a perfect running mate. He looks comfortable, he’s cutting to the basket and getting highlight reel dunks, he’s shooting 39% from three, and providing great defensive intensity. Gordon playing at this level as the third (or fourth option if you put Porter Jr. ahead of him) is an absolutely terrifying prospect for opposing teams.