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NBA: 5 Most Exciting Non-Superstars To Watch

By Colby Giacubeno

Mar 4, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) reacts during the first half of a game against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 4, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) reacts during the first half of a game against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 29, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic forward Aaron Gordon (00) dunks against the Brooklyn Nets during the first quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 29, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic forward Aaron Gordon (00) dunks against the Brooklyn Nets during the first quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Aaron Gordon, Orlando Magic

When Aaron Gordon was picked with the fourth overall pick, there was hope that he would eventually grow into his potential. At the time, the the 19-year-old was coming off an impressive freshman season at the University of Arizona, averaging 12.4 points and eight rebounds per game while being named in the top 30 for the Naismith College Player of the Year.

Because of injury, his rookie season was limited to 47 games, but even in that sample size there were glimpses that he could eventually develop into a dangerous player.

Gordon entered his second season in the NBA dominating the Orlando Summer league by averaging 21.7 points, 11.7 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.7 blocks, and 1.3 steals per game. The most impressive thing about his summer league showing was his improvement in his jump shot and face-up game in the post.

Even in his freshman year of college, it was obvious that Gordon had the ability to become a nightly creator of dunk posters, but the rest of his game was in question.

Orlando doesn’t get much national TV time, so fans don’t get to see how much Gordon had developed on the other parts of his game. But what most fans DO care to watch are highlight dunks or alley-oops that Gordon made look effortless. To fulfill everyone’s fantasy, he entered his name into the Slam Dunk Contest during All-Star Weekend to battle with Zach LaVine.

From then on, history was witnessed.

LaVine and Gordon put on arguably the best dunk competition ever with jaw-dropping dunks that included Gordon clearing a mascot in a sitting position and putting the ball underneath both legs while LaVine answered with an Eastbay dunk from the free-throw line.

LaVine was able to reign victorious when it was all said and done, but the story remains unwritten for these two and future dunk competitions. To be honest, they made the event relevant once again after being dead for pretty much the last decade.

Since Gordon’s unbelievable showing, more people started to pay attention to Magic games to await another high-rising finish. He has not disappointed. The majority of people weren’t put on notice about Gordon since the dunk contest, but now fans won’t only tune in to see his dunks, but watch this young player develop into a successful NBA player.

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