Post by footy on Jun 20, 2020 14:33:40 GMT -8
Aaron Gordon: A Sim in the life of a Super Sub
One member of this core displaced by Durant’s arrival is Aaron Gordon. A high flying, creative passing aerialist, Gordon has been tasked with carrying the Sun’s second unit. His unique talents have afforded GM Footy the luxury of deploying Gordon at all 5 positions. This idea is not unique in the world of sim leagues but it is often unsuccessful.
This was Gordon’s experience in his first sim as a super-sub:
Gordon: 42 minutes, 32points, 10 rebounds, 7 assists 12-19 FG, 2-6 3pt (Player of the Game)
Opponent (Monk): 33 mins, 5 points 9 rebounds, 1 assst, 1-8 FG, 1-4 3pt
Gordon was phenomenal in his first game off the bench. Recording a near triple double, Gordon played most of his minutes at SF and exploited his matchup against Malik Monk. Monk was held to a 5 point outing on a 1-8 shooting night. In contrast, Gordon’s shooting ability highlighted his versatility and strength in a balanced offense. Gordon’s performance resulted in him being awarded the player of the game and received the game ball.
Verdict: This is a win for Gordon.
Gordon: 37 mins, 12 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, 5-16 FG
Opponent (Covington): 29 mins, 12 points, 7 rebounds, 1 assist
Gordon’s second game as a super sub was a significantly tougher experience. The Suns came to face to face with the league’s best player, LeBron James. Like many of his teammates, could not unlock the Thunder’s suffocating defense led by James. However, despite the disappointing showing, Gordon was not disgraced and was the Sun’s second best player on the night as he dismantled his direct opponent Robert Covington. The Thunder are a highly fancied team with the TF League and I’m sure Gordon and the Phoenix organisation as a whole are looking forward to the next matchup against the Thunder from Oklahoma City
Verdict: This is a loss for Gordon
Gordon: 34 mins, 20 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists, 7-14 FG, 1-1 3pt
Opponent (Bowman): 27 mins, 7 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 2-9FG
Gordon’s flexibility across the lineup was on show as he tortured both Ky Bowman and Dylan Windler throughout the contest
Verdict: This is a win for Gordon
Gordon: 38 mins, 18 points, 10 rebounds, 8 assists, 8-19 FG
Opponent (Fournier): 22 mins, 6 points, 1 assist, 3-7 FG
A Suns win powered by another strong Gordon performance. Yet again Gordon played most of his minutes at PF and Gordon’s opponent, the highly touted youngster Chris Boucher, was exposed for his lack of defending ability against a much more skilled Gordon. This was a Phoenix win that dismantled a Boston team and Gordon was at the coal face doing a lot of the dirty work.
Again, Gordon did not have just one opponent in this contest as many of the Celtic’s reserves did their best to contain him. After Boucher’s foul trouble, Evan Fournier found himself tasked with limited Gordon’s damage but it wasn’t to be. Gordon’s aerial ability and strength was on show as he consummated an impressive Phoenix victory
Verdict: This is a win for Gordon
Gordon: 41 mins, 36 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 15-21 FG (Player of the game)
Opponent (Maker): 31mins, 14 points 4 rebounds, 4 assists 6-11 FG
Gordon’s notable performance was rewarded with his second player of the game award for the week and reinforced the Phoenix leadership as to the value of Gordon as a 6th man super sub.
Verdict: This is a win for Gordon
Gordon: 32 minutes, 15 points, 12 rebounds, 7 assists, 6-15 FG
Opponent (Nance Jnr): 28 mins, 4 points, 8 rebounds 2-4 FG
Gordon’s direct opponent, Larry Nance Jnr, was almost non-existent as the Suns took advantage of a blistering 3rd quarter to overcome the talented Timberwolves.
Verdict: This is a win for Gordon
37mpg, 22ppg, 8.8rpg & 5.8 apg.
Gordon’s Opponents averages for the sim:
28mpg, 8ppg, 5.1 rpg, 1.3 apg
Gordon’s aerial capability, efficient shooting and dogged defensive ability make him an ideal candidate to be the league’s best 6th man. This week’s games have evidenced the advantages of having a talented player be utilised across all 5 positions of the court. The flexibility it endears to the team, in the evident of injury or foul trouble, has only reinforced GM Footy’s opinion that Gordon is the perfect super sub.
When questioned prior to unleashing Gordon as a do-it-all 6th man, GM Footy was asked what he wanted to see from Gordon. GM’s Footy’s response was ‘Confidence and effort!’ That effort cannot be questioned now as the Sun’s may have found a line-up to contend with the league’s very best.