There has been a lot of focus on the battle of MVP frontrunners, Nikola Jokic and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, during the Nuggets, Thunder's second-round playoff series, and rightfully so. They are obviously the two best players in this series, and arguably the two best players in the entire league.
But because of that, the teams are intent on slowing down the other side’s superstar. Jokic and SGA are both being hounded wherever they go on the court with extra bodies and increased physicality. As a result, they’ve struggled compared to the lofty standards they’ve set.
The Nuggets are determined to contain Gilgeous-Alexander, and they’re content with forcing anyone else to beat them, while the Thunder are largely employing the same strategy with Jokic. Both teams can say their strategy is working pretty well, but it’s opening up real opportunities for other players to take advantage.
Aaron Gordon has been the star the Nuggets need
And nobody has been taking advantage of this opportunity more than Aaron Gordon. AG saved his best for the playoffs, where he has been incredible on both ends, extremely consistent, and at times, Denver’s most important player.
His stats are up across the board from the regular season, and he has been getting more and more involved in the offense. In 10 playoff games, he’s averaging 18.8 points and 6.7 rebounds a game while shooting almost 50% from the field, 41% on threes, and 91% from the free throw line.
He still has his bludgeoning blend of strength and athleticism around the hoop, but he has also become a knockdown shooter this season, and it has carried into the playoffs. Teams have long lived with leaving Gordon open from the outside, but that has become a perilous option, and it’s creating very difficult decisions for defenses, while unlocking a new ceiling for Denver’s offense.
Gordon a machine in the clutch
Beyond the steady, consistent offensive production that has been much needed, Gordon has also been the best clutch player in the playoffs. Jokic and Jamal Murray have been one of the most clutch duos in the league in recent years, but it’s shocking to see the ball keep ending up in AG’s hands.
For him to be confidently pulling the trigger and burying big shots is an incredible development for the Nuggets, who suddenly have a bevvy of options at the end of games. Gordon has always been a perfect role player for the Nuggets, but with what he’s doing on offense, he has become something much more than that: he’s a weapon that is swinging playoff games.