By Josh CohenMarch 28, 2016
As the 2015-16 season winds down, I will analyze several Magic players and assess what they did well this year and what they need to improve over the summer.
Strength #1: Super Athletic
Aaron Gordon’s mesmerizing dunk contest performance upheld the judgment that he is one of the most athletic players in the NBA. He has outstanding agility and hops and he plays with a high motor and relentless energy. WATCH:
Area to Improve #1: Scoring off the dribble
Gordon is shooting just 33.9 percent when he takes three to six dribbles prior to a shot attempt. He isn’t balanced or polished when he drives to the rim and he has a tendency to stumble into defenders and toss up challenging runners and floaters. WATCH:
Strength #2: Finishing Around Rim
Gordon ranks in the top 20 in putback scoring and he’s shooting 62.7 percent on shots within five feet from the basket. Gordon has a nose for the ball, which allows him to track missed shots for easy putbacks. When matched up against a slow-footed defender, Gordon has a quick first step, especially when he drives baseline, to coast to the hoop. WATCH:
Area to Improve #2: Catch-and-Shoot 3-Pointers
Nearly 30 percent of Gordon’s shot attempts are catch-and-shoot jumpers and he’s shooting 32.6 percent on these shots. What’s most puzzling, though, is how much Gordon struggles when he is wide open. While he shoots a respectable 47.8 percent when a defender is practically in his chest (less than two feet), Gordon makes only 37.5 percent of shots when no defender is within six feet of him. WATCH:
Strength #3: Lateral and Makeup Defense
Gordon excels when he defends threes and fours that prefer to face the basket as opposed to post up. He moves extremely well laterally, which makes it difficult for opponents to beat him off the dribble. Gordon also shines defensively in transition. He is excellent at racing back and denying opponents from scoring easy fast break layups and dunks. Gordon’s length and aggressiveness makes it tough for opponents to get good looks from 3-point range. Since the All-Star break, opponents guarded by Gordon are shooting 29.4 percent from downtown. WATCH:
Area to Improve #3: Post-Up Defending
Although he has good strength, Gordon gets out-muscled a lot down low. Since the All-Star break, opponents guarded by Gordon are shooting 66 percent on shots within six feet from the basket. He doesn’t yet excel at denying or sealing off entry passes or preventing formidable power forwards from establishing good position in the post. WATCH:
Strength #4: Rebounding
Gordon plays with so much energy and hustle that he almost always is in a position to grab a rebound. Even when he hasn’t boxed out an opponent, often Gordon jumps high enough to soar for the board. During a 10-game stretch in late January and February, Gordon racked up double digit rebounds in eight of those contests. WATCH:
Area to Improve #4: Initiate More Contact
If he can develop more body control on his drives and make a concerted effort to draw more fouls, Gordon has the potential to make his way to the free throw line quite often. Gordon doesn’t run away from contact, but he also doesn’t sell it enough. He is shooting 67 percent from the stripe this season. WATCH: