Mr. Nugget, Aaron Gordon is expected to miss at least 4-6 weeks due to a grade 2 right hamstring strain, after which he will be re-evaluated. It’s a brutal blow in the short term, but if we’re being honest, it’s hard not to be concerned about the long-term implications of AG suffering yet another hamstring injury.
It feels like Gordon hasn’t been healthy in years, as he has dealt with calf and hamstring issues in both legs for several years. He had a great start to this season, and looked to be as athletic and energetic as he has in years, but those good vibes have quickly disappeared with this latest setback.
At what point do the Nuggets have to accept the reality that Gordon is 30 years old, and he is likely to be plagued by nagging hamstring issues for the rest of his career? It’s a sad reality for a guy who was at one point the best and most explosive dunker on earth, but that’s where things stand.
Nuggets need Aaron Gordon to win title
The Nuggets can likely survive this 4-6 week stretch of regular season games without Gordon, but to actually reach their goals and win a title, they need the best version of AG. He’s so important to what this team does on both ends.
His shooting has unlocked new possibilities for the offense and given them another weapon as Gordon has blossomed into a sharpshooter to go along with his gravity in the dunker spot and his chops in the pick and roll as a screener and ballhandler.
And he’s still an elite defensive player, as we’ve seen him do great work inside and out, while leading this team to a very unlikely spot in the NBA’s top 5 defenses before getting hurt. He’s such a perfect fit as a player, a sort of Swiss Army Knife who can play on the perimeter and in the paint effectively.
He’s also a perfect fit between Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray, a player who has great chemistry with both, and perfectly complements what they do on the floor. AG is also a veteran leader and a guy who brings the necessary energy to the game every single night.
His value goes far beyond the stat sheet, and what he brings to the Nuggets is irreplaceable. Hopefully, he’ll be back as good as ever in a few weeks, but it may be time to panic and face the fact that Gordon’s hamstring issues appear to be recurring.