This offseason, when the Nuggets gave Aaron Gordon a four-year, 92 million bonus, the reaction was shocking, even beyond Gordon's own expectations. This also leads to the question, why is Michael Beasley, who is similar in size and also faces positioning problems, not able to stand in the NBA like Gordon?
Gordon and Beasley are of the same weight, similar in height, and both are high-ranking rookies, and are also considered talented. Even when the industry discusses why the two did not play in the NBA, they will also mention the "not three and four", that is, the height of the number four position is limited, and the pace of playing the number three position is too slow.
But now, one has won a big contract in the NBA, and one has gradually faded out of the NBA. Why do the two have such a big contrast? There are two reasons for this.
One is that the opportunities for the two are different. Bisley entered the NBA 6 years earlier than Gordon, don't underestimate these 6 years, when Beasley's career has begun to slide, Gordon just entered the NBA. The era of Beasley playing is not yet the era of "flanking is king" like today.
Gordon's career turn was sent to the Nuggets by the Magic. In Gordon's own words, it was the Nuggets who saved him. Now, despite Gordon's confession of being "disgusted" by his 2021 playoff performance, the Nuggets are still offering a fat contract, firstly because small city teams are difficult to recruit stars, and secondly, because the Nuggets have suffered from the loss of flanking personnel in recent years, and they are unwilling to repeat the same mistakes.
In other words, despite Gordon's many chasers this season, if he changes to another team, he may not be able to be treated as a sweet potato like in the Nuggets, which is Gordon's opportunity. And Beasley, whether from the general environment of the league or from the team he plays, has not caught up with such a good time.
The second is Beasley's personality and off-court behavior, which Gordon did not have. Previously, when Durant talked about why his friend Beasley failed to play in the NBA, he pointed out to the point that Beasley seriously lacked self-discipline after entering the NBA, and there was no one around who could strictly supervise him, so Beasley "took a lot of detours" after joining the NBA. In this regard, Gordon performed much better, and was almost a "good baby" compared to Beasley. This is also one of the reasons why the top brass of the NBA teams avoided Bisley and chased Gordon.
Comparing Beasley and Gordon, he can only sigh: "Time also, fate also." "Put Gordon in Beasley's time, he may not be able to earn a big contract; put Beasley in Gordon's era, maybe he will have a different career." (Supine Braces/Hairy)