Aaron Gordon - How many games before we can call it a breakout?

Instincts · Post #1 » by **Instincts** » Sat Feb 29, 2020 5:49 am

It is clear Aaron Gordon
1) is has playing the best games and basketball of his career
2) has accepted the challenge and picked up the motor to accel in all aspects of the game
3) has accepted his role as a modern forward. SF or PF, I believe he will play both, but I concede that this breakout has happened and coincided with Issacs injury and AG's move back to PF. But I submit that the breakout would have happened anyway, even at the small forward position. I suggest the breakout is less to do with position and more to do with the intensified motor in all aspects of the game, a focus on his strengths, a reduction in iso one on one action, increase in tempo and usage. I believe he has a chip on his shoulder, partly due to his internal drive, partly due to the slam dunk contest, and Olympic team slights. Regardless of the motivation he is focusing on aspects other than trying to iso and score the ball. I love to see the increased blocks, game winning blocks, and rebounding out of his zone. These are areas his lack of recent lack motor and focus had shown. With his athleticism and strength I fully admit there is no excuse for his lack of motor and success in these areas. He has the ability to be a game changer in these areas and all it takes is commitment and effort. I had predicted 20/20 games from AG last year due to my belief that if he wanted to he could grab every rebound available and more so rebounds that would not be available to 99.9% of other humans on earth.
4) is focusing on his strengths
5) Clifford has allowed the offense to speed up tempo. Allowing AG to grab rebound and go. People like to knock his ball handling, but yet like to call him a PF. How many PFs in the NBA can rebound the miss and push the ball like AG. This will CONTINUE to improve as his decision making and attacking of the rim continue to improve as they have done at a steady rate. He was always a high upside project draft pick. It amazes me that as he is about to breakout people want to trade him, I think that will quickly change as he officially breaks out. This level AG can win playoff series. And I love the step back 3 that he obviously has been working on. Keep in mind that he altered his shooting release again his offseason to a lower, more compact, and repeatable release, not to mention I suspect he has been playing hurt since the preseason, and while disappointed, I am not surprised that the breakout had been postponed. Here is to AG, the magic franchise, and mostly the die hard fans, lets hope this is the real thing this time. I understand the doubt, but lets enjoy the ride, this AG can take us places even this year. He is just figuring it out at 24, yes, but I maintain with veterans around him, like the james ennis signing, AG can win playoff series. I realize he still needs to do it against the best teams and best player, but I am tuned in to see if he can climb that mountain as well. And for the record, I believe Issac only helps this AG lead team, as a matter of fact Issac can push this team over the top.

How many games does he need to keep up this all star level play before we consider this a breakout? I know he has battled inconsistency during his develop, but when should we believe, how many games?

VFX · Post #2 » by **VFX** » Sat Feb 29, 2020 6:25 am

I was waiting for you to show up as soon as AG had his first breakout stretch of the season. What happened to your prediction thread prior to the season claiming AG was bound to be an all star?

AG is probably going to get traded this offseason regardless. Good to see him string together a few games to show what could have been in this system. Hopefully he can get us a decent return to pit with Isaac.

Instincts · Post #3 » by **Instincts** » Sat Feb 29, 2020 6:45 am

I am glad to hear you have been waiting on me.

AG is playing the best Bball of his career. He is playing at an all-star level over the last 10 games, with clear changes in his game, focus, and motor. he has never played this well or with this consistency. As you mention above this is a breakout, which I never would have said before. The question is simple, how many games does AG need to maintain a similar pace before you call this a official breakout?? Simple question. Ten more games? The remainder of the season? A full season?? A simple question.

As far as trade, if he continues at this level no GM in the league would trade a 24 year old AG, if he falters then at the least he has raised his trade value.

Be happy brother. This is good from any perspective as a magic fan. Yes, I am glad to drop in and add some optimism. Answer game question above.

Ducklett · Post #4 » by **Ducklett** » Sat Feb 29, 2020 6:52 am

Either its a fluke and it doesn't matter or it isn't and he raises his trade value.

pepe1991 · Post #5 » by **pepe1991** » Sat Feb 29, 2020 7:34 am

I guess i won our bet about allstar this year

but like Ducklett said, him playing great is win win for Magic.

fendilim · Post #6 » by **fendilim** » Sat Feb 29, 2020 7:43 am

hahahaha welcome back

Post #7 » by **Bensational** » Sat Feb 29, 2020 7:57 am

drsd · Post #8 » by **drsd** » Sat Feb 29, 2020 8:33 am

Well, when Gordon wins MVP of the NBA finals this year, I think we need to look hard at keeping him !

..

drsd · Post #9 » by **drsd** » Sat Feb 29, 2020 10:35 am

Gordon over his last five games is averaging 22.6 points, 10.0 rebounds and 6.0 assists, while shooting 53.8 percent from the field and 61.1 percent from three.

basketballRob · Post #10 » by **basketballRob** » Sat Feb 29, 2020 11:49 am

Maybe he's wearing women's panties and breathing through his eyes, like Tim Robbins in Bull Durham.

Sent from my SM-G950U using RealGM mobile app

spinedoc · Post #11 » by **spinedoc** » Sat Feb 29, 2020 12:30 pm

Yeah, playing well as our current starting pf. The problem is, we already have one. He just happens to be presently injured. Raise that value AG. I'm looking to get something nice this summer.

fklt · Post #12 » by **fklt** » Sat Feb 29, 2020 12:38 pm

his good performance at PF makes me sad about how much we mismanaged him.

MoMM · Post #13 » by **MoMM** » Sat Feb 29, 2020 1:01 pm

spinedoc wrote:Yeah, playing well as our current starting pf. The problem is, we already have one. He just happens to be presently injured. Raise that value AG. I'm looking to get something nice this summer.

What if Isaac is the man out next offseason? His value is high, but considering that he can't stay health, maybe he is the one who will get traded (and before signing an extension).

KillMonger · Post #14 » by **KillMonger** » Sat Feb 29, 2020 1:11 pm

MoMM wrote:
spinedoc wrote:Yeah, playing well as our current starting pf. The problem is, we already have one. He just happens to be presently injured. Raise that value AG. I'm looking to get something nice this summer.

What if Isaac is the man out next offseason? His value is high, but considering that he can't stay health, maybe he is the one who will get traded (and before signing an extension).

yeah.....maybe not

Bergmaniac · Post #15 » by **Bergmaniac** » Sat Feb 29, 2020 1:36 pm

A whole season. 10 games, most of them against atrocious defences and tanking teams, don't mean much to me.

But it's nice he's increasing his trade value lately.

Post #16 » by **Def Swami** » Sat Feb 29, 2020 3:38 pm

Give it the rest of the season and playoffs. It could really change the course of what the Magic do in the off-season.

PrimeThyme · Post #17 » by **PrimeThyme** » Sat Feb 29, 2020 4:08 pm

There is just no reason why we should feel forced to move on from Isaac or AG this offseason. I posted the stats in last game thread, but the duo has produced a positive net rating in both seasons they've started together so far and are an elite defensive pairing. The bigger goal should be getting elite shooting at the 1 spot next season and off the bench.

This is why I've been suggesting for months now that next trade deadline is the one when a major move involving AG should be considered. If he doesn't take that next step and if Isaac can prove that he can stay healthy or even if Okeke can show potential then maybe a move should be considered but I never understood this notion that we should feel compelled to move on from AG now when he was in a shooting slump and his value was at its lowest. We need to see where we are with Fultz/Isaac/Bamba/Chuma's development and next season is when we should get a very clear idea of that. If Fultz/Isaac don't take a noticeable jump in year 4 (or if they get injured again) and Bamba doesn't in year 3 then it may be time to reevaluate where we stand.

AG's 3pt percentage isn't going to stay this high, but everything else we are seeing from him right now is what we saw from him last season except now he's more comfortable and is finishing around the rim at a higher level.

KillMonger · Post #18 » by **KillMonger** » Sat Feb 29, 2020 6:17 pm

PrimeThyme wrote:There is just no reason why we should feel forced to move on from Isaac or AG this offseason. I posted the stats in last game thread, but the duo has produced a positive net rating in both seasons they've started together so far and are an elite defensive pairing. The bigger goal should be getting elite shooting at the 1 spot next season and off the bench.

This is why I've been suggesting for months now that next trade deadline is the one when a major move involving AG should be considered. If he doesn't take that next step and if Isaac can prove that he can stay healthy or even if Okeke can show potential then maybe a move should be considered but I never understood this notion that we should feel compelled to move on from AG now when he was in a shooting slump and his value was at its lowest. We need to see where we are with Fultz/Isaac/Bamba/Chuma's development and next season is when we should get a very clear idea of that. If Fultz/Isaac don't take a noticeable jump in year 4 (or if they get injured again) and Bamba doesn't in year 3 then it may be time to reevaluate where we stand.

AG's 3pt percentage isn't going to stay this high, but everything else we are seeing from him right now is what we saw from him last season except now he's more comfortable and is finishing around the rim at a higher level.

this is the thing for me though, if you're cool with him being like last season then that's fine but a lot of people were expecting a leap from last season.

PrimeThyme · Post #19 » by **PrimeThyme** » Sat Feb 29, 2020 6:23 pm

KillMonger wrote:this is the thing for me though, if you're cool with him being like last season then that's fine but a lot of people were expecting a leap from last season.

Well, that's on you then. I wanted to see him build off of the playmaking better IQ version of himself that we saw last season and that's exactly what he's doing. He's playing at a very high level. The days of him turning into the next Kawai or Paul George are out the window so if that's what you are holding out for then you will continue to be disappointed. That doesn't mean he can't be a very valuable player for us though.

VFX · Post #20 » by **VFX** » Sat Feb 29, 2020 6:33 pm

PrimeThyme wrote:There is just no reason why we should feel forced to move on from Isaac or AG this offseason. I posted the stats in last game thread, but the duo has produced a positive net rating in both seasons they've started together so far and are an elite defensive pairing. The bigger goal should be getting elite shooting at the 1 spot next season and off the bench.

This is why I've been suggesting for months now that next trade deadline is the one when a major move involving AG should be considered. If he doesn't take that next step and if Isaac can prove that he can stay healthy or even if Okeke can show potential then maybe a move should be considered but I never understood this notion that we should feel compelled to move on from AG now when he was in a shooting slump and his value was at its lowest. We need to see where we are with Fultz/Isaac/Bamba/Chuma's development and next season is when we should get a very clear idea of that. If Fultz/Isaac don't take a noticeable jump in year 4 (or if they get injured again) and Bamba doesn't in year 3 then it may be time to reevaluate where we stand.

AG's 3pt percentage isn't going to stay this high, but everything else we are seeing from him right now is what we saw from him last season except now he's more comfortable and is finishing around the rim at a higher level.

That’s the problem with keeping the AG,JI, Vuc front court though...which should be pretty apparent at this point.

It’s simply not effective to have 3/5 starters incapable of consistent 3pt% and low 3pa in the modern nba. Also, we know none of them will be coming off the bench.

AG has hit a stride, against bad teams with Isaac out, and playing his actual position. We should be praying the FO will sell high on him because we know for damn sure Isaac and Vuc won’t and can’t be moved.