THOUGHTS | AARON GORDON'S CAREER

NBA.COM

With less than ten seconds left in the game and overtime looming, Nikola Jokic was determined to make the winning play. But The Joker had his work cut out for him — Ivica Zubac was right in his face, and Kawhi Leonard swooped in for the double team. Jokic fired off a shot, but it never even grazed the rim. Then, out of nowhere, Aaron Gordon soared in for the follow-up slam.

Or was it an alley-oop?

Either way, Gordon’s insane hops are no joke.

Part of the star-studded 2014 NBA Draft class — which also produced Jokic, Joel Embiid, Andrew Wiggins, Zach LaVine, Marcus Smart, Bogdan Bogdanovic, and Julius Randle — Gordon sometimes gets unfairly labeled as just an above-average, serviceable player. But as always, the devil is in the details. Sure, he’s never been an All-Star, but he’s an NBA champion and has averaged double figures for the past ten seasons.

And when it comes to dunk contests, Gordon belongs in the "greatest to never win" club alongside Shawn Kemp, Clyde Drexler, Andre Iguodala, and Steve Francis.

Personally, while Vince Carter’s dunk contest run is legendary, I still spam-watch the Aaron Gordon vs. Zach LaVine showdown. The dude jumped over a rotating mascot and pulled off a 360. Even his so-called "meh" dunk over Tacko Fall is iconic — because in terms of controversial losses, Gordon’s defeat overshadows many of today’s winning dunks.

Which is probably why I’m so indifferent to Mac McClung’s three-peat. These contests should elevate a player's career, not turn them into sideshow attractions. One reason the Gordon-LaVine duel still feels epic? Both players continue to be relevant in actual NBA games. Meanwhile, Derrick Jones Jr. — despite finally averaging double figures this season — never quite parlayed his slam dunk title the way Gordon did with his back-to-back heartbreakers.

Maybe it’s time I start collecting Aaron Gordon cards.