Nuggets PF Aaron Gordon Proving Why Magic Drafted Him No. 4
ORLANDO - The Denver Nuggets are one win away from their first championship in franchise history after beating the Miami Heat in Game 4 Friday night.
Nikola Jokic has led the way for the Nuggets all season long, but it was Aaron Gordon who led all scorers with 27 points in the Game 4 victory.
If the Nuggets go on to win the championship, Game 4 will mark a legacy game for Gordon, who is playing the best basketball of his eight-year career.
That career started in 2014 when the Orlando Magic selected him with the No. 4 pick in the draft. Many felt that the Magic was reaching when taking Gordon with its pick. On draft night nine years ago, USA Today projected Gordon to be selected No. 8, but Orlando appeared to make the right decision.
It took Gordon a few years to get his feet wet in the NBA, but once he did, he became one of the Magic's best players and formed a dynamic duo in the frontcourt with Nikola Vucevic. While Orlando's ceiling never exceeded past a first-round exit, the Magic was able to trade Gordon for Gary Harris, R.J. Hampton and a first-round pick.
Given the fact that Hampton was a rookie, the deal was essentially Gordon for two first-round picks ... and now it's clear that the Magic lost that trade.
Gordon is thriving with the Nuggets and coming through when it matters most, a sign that the Magic made the right call on draft night.
You can follow Jeremy Brener on Twitter @JeremyBrener.
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