What Off-Ball Strategies Help Aaron Gordon Lock Down Shooters?
One of the most effective defenders in the NBA today is Aaron Gordon, especially when it comes to defending against shooters. What are his off-ball strategies that help him shadow shooters and lock them down? This question matters for NBA teams trying to upgrade their defensive games. Disrupting the offensive flow of a team is not just about playing good on-ball defense. It requires good off-ball defensive strategy as well. In this post, we analyze what makes Aaron Gordon special (and effective) as a defender.
Understanding Gordon’s Defensive Mindset
Gordon’s defensive proficiency arises primarily from his vast comprehension of the sport. He makes blazingly fast choices that are contingent upon – and utterly essential to – the opponent’s actions. Synergy Sports Technology tells us that, if anything, Gordon is even more consistently effective when defending spot-up shooters, with whom he ranks in the 90th percentile as of this writing. Not only does he stay with them, but he is also remarkably adept at cutting off angles to the basket and recovering to challenge the shot. You might say that Gordon plays the game at a better-than-average level when it comes to not allowing it to be played in space.
Additionally, Gordon’s understanding goes far beyond single confrontations. He reads the offensive setup with ease, which allows him to position himself optimally in the moment. (I cover this concept in greater detail in the chapter on concept defenders.) A great example of this is when Gordon defended against the Los Angeles Lakers in January 2022. The Lakers are a big team, and when they go to work with their size, defenders have to be clever and shifty to get through the inevitably plentiful screens. Neck-and-neck with Caldwell-Pope on the way to a very timely half-court exit, I was 15 seconds away from my Starbucks rewards drink when Caldwell-Pope’s long, almost-hair-net shot wasn’t going to happen. Gordon blitzed and re-sliced his way through the screens and right back to the other side of the floor.
How Smart Movement Enhances Defensive Play
Gordon’s off-ball strategy has many facets, but one of the most important is his movement. He often employs what we call “shadowing” to remain close to shooters without compromising his own position. This technique allows him to quickly close out on shooters and make them either rush their shot or pass the ball. Last season, Gordon recorded favorable percentages on a couple of key defensive statistics, but his closeout percentage was the most eye-popping. He closed out on 87% of shooters last season.
Moreover, Gordon makes effective communication with his teammates a priority. He often verbally commands the play calls, ensuring all is in order. This tactic is a big part of his game and an almost disruptive element for opposing offenses. Not only does it throw the offense off balance, but it also sets the stage for Gordon to act in a well-structured defensive capacity that makes the most of his versatility.
What Off-Ball Strategies Help Aaron Gordon Lock Down Shooters? The Role of Anticipation
A primary strategy that helps Aaron Gordon lock down shooters is anticipation. He reads the offensive flow exceptionally well. When an opposing player is on the perimeter, Gordon positions himself to intercept potential passes or contest shots. His instincts allow him to predict the next move. This is crucial for stopping shooters from getting into a rhythm.
For instance, in a game with the Utah Jazz, Gordon anticipated a catch-and-shoot moment for Donovan Mitchell. By getting into position, he was able to change the course of Mitchell’s shot, leading to a rare miss for the talented guard. This kind of anticipation changes the dynamic of the play. If offensive players know they might be dealing with a defender who can see the future, they are less likely to make confident decisions.
Utilizing Screens Effectively
Another crucial off-ball tactic is how Gordon deals with screens. Screens are a staple of offense in today’s game, and many shooters depend on them to get free. Gordon does not allow that to happen. If he must, he will go over a screen. But more often, he seems to sneak under, using not only his athleticism but also his sharp sense of when and where to cut and angle away from the screen to stay connected with the shooter and to keep the offense from getting too comfortable.
- Battling Via Displays: Gordon frequently utilizes his might to smash through screens, rendering it hard for the athletes to discover their beat once the shot is attempted.
- Employing Angles: He effectively angles his body to move around screens, staying close to shooters while still in his defensive stance.
As a result, this devotion to screen navigation directly correlates with his ability to contain elite scorers. Take last season’s playoffs: Gordon matched up against some of the highest-scoring guards and forwards in the league (hi, Luka), and he still managed to not only minimize their scoring (they shot a combined 42% from the field), but to actually outscore them when one averages their point totals to those they generally get. Again, this is about Gordon being flat-out better than most on that end of the floor.
Building a Defensive Identity
In addition, Aaron Gordon’s off-ball strategies assist in establishing a defensive identity for his squad. The Denver Nuggets have gained a reputation for their stalwart defensive play, in no small part due to Gordon’s influence. His strategies not only help his individual numbers but also boost the entire defensive unit. The synergy between Gordon and his teammates leads to better defensive rotations and coverage.
His defensive play has a statistical effect that is easy to see. Gordon frequently shows up in team stats like defensive rebounds, steals, and low opponent field goal percentages. Last season, the Nuggets ranked in the top 10 for defensive efficiency, which is something we can attribute to some of Gordon’s contributions off the ball.
Conclusion: The Future of Defensive Strategies
In summary, comprehending the off-ball ploys that allow Aaron Gordon to check shooters is vital for any squad wanting to beef up its stop units. The play that follows is one of the many ways in which Gordon employs a cocktail of anticipation, movement, and screen navigation to ruin the offenses that are trying to run plays through the types of shooters that Gordon is good at checking. Defenders like Gordon are becoming invaluable assets as offenses continue to take more and more threes.
Defensive strategies will keep pace with the league’s evolution. What makes a player like Gordon successful can be broken down and—more importantly—passed on to the teams that are paying attention and want to improve their off-ball defense. The byproduct of these lessons, if they take hold, will be a transformation in the kind of competitive.
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