Aaron Gordon Walks On Air For A Mind-Blowing Up-And-Under Reverse Layup

Health left us without excitement provided by Aaron Gordon’s athleticism. The Arizona product played just 47 games last season after breaking his left foot in mid-November, getting robbed of the crucial acclimation period to which all players are accustomed in late fall – and is especially beneficial to rookies.

Gordon was predictably ineffective upon returning to the floor two months later. He averaged 5.2 points and 3.6 rebounds in 17.0 minutes per game in 2014-15, toggling between both forward positions as an unskilled wing and overmatched big. But the Orlando Magic never selected the 20-year-old for what he’d do immediately; Rob Hennigan and company made him the No. 4 pick of the 2014 draft for what he could be going forward.

Explosiveness, body control and overall dexterity have never been a problem for Gordon. He’s a freak in every sense of the word, and exhibited that reality on several occasions throughout his rookie campaign. Gordon was more poised and comfortable than ever before during Las Vegas Summer League play in July too, suggesting his impact in 2015-16 can begin extending beyond the limits of raw athletic ability.

And it still may very well come. Until the competitive stakes rise during the regular season, though, we’re totally content focusing on Gordon’s innate physical gifts, which were on full display during this mind-bending reverse layup against the Miami Heat. Can you imagine once nurture catches up to the nature? Frightening.

Needless to say, we can’t wait to see if Gordon has begun that process when the regular season tips off later this month.

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