NBA Finals: Nuggets’ Aaron Gordon acquisition paying huge dividends two years after trade

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In the final play of the Western Conference finals, Aaron Gordon had the biggest defensive stop of his career. All series long Gordon was the primary defender on LeBron James, posing the toughest defensive matchup for the Los Angeles Lakers superstar throughout these playoffs. With the Nuggets holding a slim 113-111 lead, and the Lakers having the ball with four seconds left, Gordon needed to get one final stop to send Denver to the NBA Finals for the first time in franchise history. No pressure or anything. 

As the Lakers began to inbound the ball, James came around a screen with Gordon just a half step behind him. The former No. 4 overall pick was on LeBron’s hip as he caught the inbound pass, but managed to position himself in a way that cut off an easy drive to the rim. Gordon, using his strength, athleticism and defensive IQ guided James straight into the help defense where Jamal Murray aided just enough to get a hand on he ball as LeBron tried to put a shot up. The ball came loose and as James tried to corral it again time expired. The Nuggets advanced to the NBA Finals.

That defensive stop from Gordon is exactly what the Nuggets expected to get when the team acquired him at the 2021 trade deadline. In a way, Gordon’s performance over the course of these playoffs has been one big return on investment from that deal. Through the first three rounds this postseason, Gordon has had to guard Karl-Anthony Towns, Kevin Durant and LeBron James, a tough defensive gauntlet for any elite defender, and yet Gordon excelled in each round. 

Aaron Gordon’s defense

Karl-Anthony Towns

37% (10-27)

11.1% (1-9)

3

9

1

Kevin Durant

38.2% (26-68)

23.1% (3-13)

12

12

1

LeBron James

60% (12-20)

25% (1-4)

11

1

2

Against Towns, Gordon used his strength to make up for his size disadvantage against Minnesota’s star, who shot just 37% from the floor and turned the ball over nine times with the Denver forward on him. Gordon’s defense in the second round against Durant is some of the best defense we’ve seen on the 7-foot elite scorer. It’s rare to see Durant struggle so…

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Source link : https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/nba-finals-nuggets-aaron-gordon-acquisition-paying-huge-dividends-two-years-after-trade/

Author : Jasmyn Wimbish

Publish date : 2023-05-30 18:28:47

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