There is one constant as Aaron Gordon navigates a tricky recovery from his second calf strain of the season.
That’s an openness to do whatever is asked of him to help continue the Nuggets’ winning ways as he works his way back to 100%.
“Whatever I can do in that sense, I’m here to do, and I’m willing to do,” Gordon said after Tuesday’s win over the 76ers at Ball Arena.
It was the fifth game Gordon has played since the second injury occurred on Christmas Day with all of his appearances coming in a reserve role. He played 18 minutes in his first two games back, both against Dallas. He missed the loss to Houston, as it came on the second night of a back-to-back, but he’s played 22 minutes in all three games since.
He said his current minutes restriction is in the 22- to 24-minute range after making 6 of 7 shots, including all three of his 3-pointers, for 19 points in 22 minutes against Philadelphia.
“He can do so many things for you. Then, when he’s shooting the 3-point shot like he has been, now it’s like ‘Well, how are you going to guard this guy?’” Nuggets coach Michael Malone said.
“If you run him off, he can get down the floor, finish, dunk on you, but also make plays for his teammates, because he’s such a good passer and a willing passer. Aaron has been outstanding for us, and it’s good to see him kind of building back, getting confidence, getting a rhythm with that unit.”
Neither Gordon nor Malone had a target date in mind for Denver’s regular starting forward to be back to 100%. Malone said he’s leaving the ramp-up process to the team’s medical staff.
“They study the soft-tissue injuries. They study the reoccurrence of those injuries. The best way to come back, and I know it’s probably frustrating for Aaron … I think it’s more of a cautious, slowly-but-surely increase,” Malone said prior to Tuesday’s game. “Then, we’ll get to where we get to at whatever time. I’m going to continue to counsel our training staff and take their advice on the best way to do that and make sure that we’re communicating with Aaron every step of the way.”
The Nuggets have won all five games with Gordon coming off the bench in the last couple of weeks and are 11-4 since Dec. 25. That’s raised the question whether the Nuggets should stick with the current starting lineup of Russell Westbrook, Jamal Murray, Christian Braun, Michael Porter Jr. and Nikola Jokic. Malone wasn’t ready to commit either way, but he feels confident in how Gordon would respond to both outcomes.
“Before Aaron’s first game in Dallas, I talked to him about what his minutes restriction was going to be that night as well as what it would be moving forward just to give him an idea, so he could wrap his head around that,” Malone shared after Denver’s latest victory. “The first thing he said to me was ‘Coach, we’re playing really well.’ He goes ‘If you want to bring me off the bench, even when I’m healthy, bring me off the bench.’
“I’m not saying I’m going to do that, but I want everybody to know who Aaron Gordon is. That is selfless to a tee. We’ve seen that from him time and time again.”
When talking about that decision, Gordon shared that he came off the bench in the gold-medal game of the 2013 FIBA Under-19 World Championship and helped a United States squad defeat Serbia and a little-known prospect at the time named Nikola Jokic.
“We actually beat Joker for the gold medal,” Gordon said.
“I’m here to do whatever the team needs of me.”
Jokic either did hear or didn’t want to acknowledge Gordon’s recollection in the postgame locker room, but the three-time Most Valuable Player, who Malone said sets the tone when it comes to the team’s selfless approach, had already acknowledged Gordon’s team-first mentality.
“Since he came here, he’s probably the guy who is sacrificing himself the most,” Jokic said. “He changed his game. That’s’ who he is. He just wants to win.”
By doing some unglamorous work around the rim and on defense, Gordon was a big part of bringing the franchise’s first championship to Denver after starting his career as one of the top offensive options in Orlando. The Magic weren’t playoff regulars and cycled through coaches on an almost annual basis during his time there.
The 29-year-old played in 68 or more regular-season games in his first three full seasons with the Nuggets. Now, two calf strains have limited him to 22 appearances across Denver’s first 43 games. Being patient with the recovery process hasn’t been easy, but it’s better than not being able to help at all.
“It’s very challenging. Basketball is my sanctuary. I use it as an outlet, a little escape or to cope with some of the stresses in regular-day life. To not have that coping mechanism has been, I don’t know, just a bit frustrating,” Gordon briefly conceded.
“I’m just happy to be back.”
Aaron Gordon’s selfless approach has been a game-changer for the Denver Nuggets. Since joining the team in a trade deadline deal, Gordon has seamlessly fit in with the squad and embraced his role as a versatile and impactful player.
Gordon’s willingness to do whatever it takes for the team’s success has been evident in his play on both ends of the court. Whether it’s shutting down the opponent’s best player on defense or making the extra pass to create scoring opportunities for his teammates, Gordon’s selfless attitude has been a key factor in the Nuggets’ recent success.
In a league where individual stats and accolades often take precedence, Gordon’s team-first mentality is a refreshing change of pace. His unselfish play has not only helped elevate the play of his teammates, but it has also earned him the respect and admiration of fans and analysts alike.
As the Nuggets make a push for the playoffs, Gordon’s selfless approach will continue to be a valuable asset. His willingness to sacrifice personal glory for the greater good of the team is a rare quality in today’s NBA, and it’s one that has undoubtedly played a significant role in the Nuggets’ rise to prominence.
So here’s to Aaron Gordon and his selfless approach – may it continue to pay dividends for the Denver Nuggets as they chase their championship aspirations.
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