Gordon’s versatility: “We love him out there”
Aaron Gordon’s first two games in a Nuggets uniform provided significantly different tests on defense.
First, switch onto Atlanta Hawks point guard Trae Young on the perimeter.
Check. Second, man-up Philadelphia 76ers forward Tobias Harris in the paint.
No problem.
“The biggest thing is the defensive versatility and athleticism that he brings,” Nuggets coach Michael Malone said on Tuesday after a 104-95 victory. “Even if he gets beat (on the perimeter), he has the size, strength, and length to get back into the play and make it tough for them.”
Gordon — a 6-foot-8, 235pound forward acquired at the trade deadline — earned a reputation over his previous seven seasons with the Orlando Magic as a versatile defender regularly tasked with shadowing the opponent’s best player. That expectation, based on Gordon’s first two games in Denver, will likely continue as he grows within Malone’s system.
On Tuesday night, Gordon played a critical role in holding Philadelphia to only 22 points in the first quarter. Harris, averaging more than 20 points per game, finished with only 12 and a miserable -29 plus/ minus rating. The 76ers played small-ball in the second half, prompting Malone to sub-out Gordon for guard Facundo Campazzo, and they climbed back to within a 10-point deficit.
“Aaron was definitely capable of playing in those minutes,” Malone said. “I probably should have gotten him back in.”
Gordon’s impact isn’t lost on teammates, either, who certainly value his diverse bag of skills. Nikola Jokic said that Gordan gives the Nuggets an added “dimension” in their push for the postseason.
“We love him out there,” forward Michael Porter Jr. said. “Defensively, we’re so long and versatile. … It feels like I’m just looking at my twin out there. It’s just cool to have another dude like that out there on the wing with me. We’re so interchangeable at the three and the four. It’s just fun.”
Gordon is not burdened with a leading scorer’s role in Denver after carrying a more significant load in Orlando. Yet his Nuggets offensive production is encouraging after two games while shooting 69% (9-of13) from the floor. The future appears bright for the Nuggets’ new big man.
“We’re going to be so hard to guard,” point guard Jamal Murray said. “He’s such a force without the ball rolling to the rim, a lob threat. You guys have seen his dunk contest. He can shoot the ball. He can put the ball on the floor and get to the rim on mismatches. Game planning for him alone is tough. … They’re going to have to give up something.”