May 19th 2024.
Aaron Gordon is a fascinating enigma. He exudes a certain relaxed vibe off the court, but once he steps onto the hardwood, he transforms into a fierce competitor. He may seem chill, but his opponents often find themselves feeling the heat as they struggle to keep up with him. Despite all the attention he receives when he enters a room, Gordon remains humble and down to earth.
As the Nuggets prepare to face off against the Timberwolves in Game 7, all eyes are on their star players Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray. It's no secret that Denver's success hinges on these two playing at the top of their game, so it's no surprise that Murray was the last one on the court during Saturday's practice, perfecting his floater shots. But as important as Jokic and Murray are, they can't do it all on their own. They need support from their teammates, and that's where Gordon comes in.
Gordon's role on the team is crucial. Offensively, he's relied upon to knock down 3-pointers and force the Timberwolves to rethink their defensive strategy against Jokic. And Gordon has been delivering, draining 10 of 17 3-pointers in this series. It's clear that the Nuggets can't advance without him sinking a few more on Sunday. In Game 4, Gordon had a standout performance, going 11 of 12 from the field and sinking two 3-pointers. Even Rudy Gobert, one of the league's top defenders, compared Gordon's hot streak to that of Kobe Bryant, admitting that there's not much Minnesota can do when he's on fire.
But Gordon's contributions go beyond just scoring. He's also been tasked with bringing the ball up the court, a remarkable skill for a 6-foot-8 wing player. This allows Murray to take a break from the relentless defense of Jaden McDaniels, preserving his energy and his injured calf. When Murray is well-rested, he's at his best, and Gordon's ball-handling abilities make that possible.
Defensively, Gordon's versatility is like having a cheat code. Watch him on the court and you'll see him doing it all - battling in the paint with Gobert, guarding explosive players like Anthony Edwards, and even challenging Karl-Anthony Towns on the perimeter. It's a tough job, and Gordon has to do it with finesse to avoid getting into early foul trouble, which would give the Timberwolves a huge advantage.
Although coach Michael Malone preaches the importance of defense, he knows that in this series, the Nuggets' scoring is what matters most. It limits Minnesota's fast breaks, boosts the confidence of role players, and creates better matchups. But the Nuggets also have to play offense like it's their defense - physical, tough, and always looking for opportunities. This is exactly how Gordon has been playing since he joined the team, and his teammates feed off his energy, much like they do with Jokic, who Gordon greatly admires and models his selflessness after.
After the disappointing Game 6 loss, Gordon remained calm and confident as he spoke to reporters. His answers were like a smooth Lenny Kravitz song, giving off the vibe of "It Ain't Over 'til It's Over." He expressed complete faith in his teammates and their talent, and reminded them that this is what they've been fighting for all year - home court advantage. And now, it's time for them to take advantage of it.
But being at home doesn't guarantee a win for the Nuggets. They may have a one-game winning streak at Ball Arena, but they also have a 1-2 record in this series. This team is different from last year's championship team, and the Timberwolves are a tough opponent. But this is exactly what Gordon and his teammates want - a challenge. And now, they face the biggest challenge yet, with all the pressure on Murray and Jokic to deliver.
But when the Nuggets emerge victorious, when they look like their true selves again, it will be thanks to Gordon's contributions. He has the bandwidth, both mentally and physically, to meet the moment and help his team come out on top. And that's something worth celebrating. So let's go Nuggets! And don't forget to sign up for the Sports Omelette and Nuggets Insider for all the latest news and analysis on Denver's teams.
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