How Aaron Gordon’s improvements as a scorer have been highlighted by his recent historic stretch of efficient scoring for the Denver Nuggets
Aaron Gordon
© Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
The 2022-23 NBA season has seen quite a lot of parity amongst itself in the early going, particularly in the Western Conference. There hasn’t been a team in the West that has jumped off the page and made everyone think they will be a title contender. Despite that, it’s looking like the Denver Nuggets could end up being one of the top Finals contenders out of the West this season.
Gordon’s under-the-radar play has made him a catalyst for the Nuggets
When it comes to the Nuggets, everyone’s first thought is perennial MVP candidate Nikola Jokic. Jokic is one of the most dominant players in the league and had single-handedly kept the Nuggets afloat over the past two seasons. Denver is a dangerous team now that he has Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. alongside him.
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While everyone’s attention is primarily focused on those three Nuggets players, Aaron Gordon has been putting together an incredible start to the season that few folks are taking note of. Gordon is in the middle of a historic stretch of efficiency from the field for Denver, and if he can continue to play at this high level, it’s tough to see how the Nuggets wouldn’t become the team to beat in the Western Conference.
Gordon’s efficiency highlights his shooting improvements
Over the aforementioned 10-game stretch, Gordon has been on an absolute tear for Denver. His numbers during that stretch (18.7 PPG, 7.2 RPG, 2.8 APG, 67.3 FG%, 59.3 3P%) have been extremely helpful as Murray and Porter continue to work their way back to full health. And if Gordon can continue to play like this, the Nuggets will have no option but to continue to give him shots on offense considering he’s hitting them at an insane rate.
This is particularly surprising because Gordon had struggled with his efficiency from the floor earlier in his career with the Orlando Magic. Ever since coming to Denver, he’s been better at taking shots that come to him rather than forcing looks, but this recent stretch is easily the best stretch of basketball in Gordon’s career.
Gordon will be looking to continue to be an extremely efficient scorer from all three levels of the floor for the Nuggets, and how he plays could be crucial in determining how far this team goes this year. Gordon will look to extend this streak to an 11th game as he attempts to chase down Otis Thorpe, who holds the longest streak of this unique achievement, and based on how hot he’s been lately, there’s no sense in betting against him to accomplish this feat.
