Erik Spoelstra bites his lip looking at the score, looking embarrassed. The Heat coach probably did not expect such a departure fromAaron Gordonin this Game 1. This one, initially surprisingly forgotten by the Florida defense, had just attacked the axis of the circle before finishing in “euro-step” with his left hand.
This basket closed a very high level first quarter from the former Magic player. The Nuggets strong winger showed off his dominance on the inside, taking advantage of numerous duels to his advantage. Gabe Vincent, Caleb Martin, Max Strus: they each suffered in turn against him.
“ It’s our game. When we spot a ‘mismatch’, we exploit it and continue to do so. I took what the defense offered me “Summarizes Aaron Gordon. He adds : ” I just took advantage of my physique. I tried to go headlong, reach the key, avoid offensive fouls and set the tone for our team. »
Both Mike Malone and teammate Jamal Murray agree he pitched the Nuggets perfectly. Thanks to these “mismatches”, he scored 12 of his 16 points (7/10 on shots) in the first quarter, under the circle.
” Anyone who is open, anyone with a big advantage, that’s the way we play. When it’s not Jokic, it’s AG who set the tone today. Sometimes I set the tone. Sometimes it’s K (Kentavious Caldwell-Pope). It can be anyone. I think AG did a good job of adapting from the start of the match, being solid in the position », Qualifies the leader of Denver.
The embodiment of necessary altruism
The adaptation to which the latter refers was collective because Jamal Murray himself, as well as the inevitable Nikola Jokic were able to spot these duels to feed him into the racket. On an action, we even see the Serb wave his hand to his leader to ask him to serve Aaron Gordon low post, while the pivot went up high post.
” They ‘switched’ early in the game and I felt he was really important in his placement in front of the basket, to score in the key and to finish in the circle “congratulates Mike Malone again, according to whom Aaron Gordon is a model in terms of adaptation.
” We always talk about Nikola embodying the culture of the Nuggets, but I think Aaron Gordon is a great example of someone who is truly selfless. He understood that with the return of Jamal and Michael in good health this year, his role was going to change. He never disputed it. He accepted it from the start of the season and he goes there, whether it’s defending Karl-Anthony Towns, Kevin Durant, LeBron James, and now obviously, a guy like Jimmy Butler. He does a lot of the dirty work for us and oftentimes he doesn’t get the credit he deserves. “says the technician.
This credit? Aaron Gordon assures that he is not looking for him: “ I’m not here to be recognized, I’m here for the wins and playing with these guys is a blessing. It’s a wonderful opportunity to play with guys who have so much talent and passion for the game. That’s what I’ve always loved, playing well and that’s what we do here. I don’t care if I score 50 points or 0, as long as I have an impact on the game and we win. Precisely what happened that night.
| Aaron Gordon | Percentage | Bounces | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Crew | GM | Minimum | Shots | 3 points | LF | Off | Def | Early | pd | party | Int | bp | CT | Points |
| 2014-15 | ENT | 47 | 17 | 44.7 | 27.1 | 72.1 | 1.0 | 2.6 | 3.6 | 0.7 | 1.8 | 0.5 | 0.8 | 0.5 | 5.2 |
| 2015-16 | ENT | 78 | 24 | 47.3 | 29.6 | 66.8 | 2.0 | 4.5 | 6.5 | 1.6 | 2.0 | 0.8 | 0.9 | 0.7 | 9.2 |
| 2016-17 | ENT | 80 | 29 | 45.4 | 28.8 | 71.9 | 1.5 | 3.6 | 5.1 | 1.9 | 2.2 | 0.8 | 1.1 | 0.5 | 12.7 |
| 2017-18 | ENT | 58 | 33 | 43.4 | 33.6 | 69.8 | 1.5 | 6.4 | 7.9 | 2.3 | 1.9 | 1.0 | 1.8 | 0.8 | 17.6 |
| 2018-19 | ENT | 78 | 34 | 44.9 | 34.9 | 73.1 | 1.7 | 5.7 | 7.4 | 3.7 | 2.2 | 0.7 | 2.1 | 0.7 | 16.0 |
| 2019-20 | ENT | 62 | 33 | 43.7 | 30.8 | 67.4 | 1.7 | 5.9 | 7.7 | 3.7 | 2.0 | 0.8 | 1.6 | 0.6 | 14.4 |
| 2020-21 * | All Teams | 50 | 28 | 46.3 | 33.5 | 65.1 | 1.5 | 4.1 | 5.7 | 3.2 | 1.8 | 0.7 | 1.9 | 0.7 | 12.4 |
| 2020-21 * | ENT | 25 | 29 | 43.7 | 37.5 | 62.9 | 1.6 | 5.1 | 6.6 | 4.2 | 2.0 | 0.6 | 2.7 | 0.8 | 14.6 |
| 2020-21 * | DEN | 25 | 26 | 50.0 | 26.6 | 70.5 | 1.5 | 3.2 | 4.7 | 2.2 | 1.6 | 0.7 | 1.2 | 0.6 | 10.2 |
| 2021-22 | DEN | 75 | 32 | 52.0 | 33.5 | 74.3 | 1.7 | 4.2 | 5.9 | 2.5 | 2.0 | 0.6 | 1.8 | 0.6 | 15.0 |
| 2022-23 | DEN | 68 | 30 | 56.4 | 34.7 | 60.8 | 2.4 | 4.2 | 6.6 | 3.0 | 1.9 | 0.8 | 1.4 | 0.8 | 16.3 |
| Total | 596 | 29 | 47.2 | 32.5 | 68.6 | 1.7 | 4.6 | 6.3 | 2.5 | 2.0 | 0.7 | 1.5 | 0.7 | 13.4 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Shots made / Shots attempted; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def= defensive rebound; Tot = Total bounces; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost bullets; Ct: Counters; Points = Points.
