[Wind] Nikola Jokic on Aaron Gordon: “The best thing that he did was accept his role.”
Nikola Jokic on Aaron Gordon: “The best thing that he did was accept his role.”
— Harrison Wind (@HarrisonWind) June 2, 2023
by Kimber80
@National Basketball Association
29 Comments
@jeramigrant
True. Almost nothing better than a former potential star accepting their role as a role player. Makes everything so much easier and (depending on their age) could prolong their career.
Run and dunk man v2
This is how championship teams are built.
Players who could be option 1 or 2 on certain teams accept to put themselves at the service of the collective to win an NBA title.
Aaron Gordon understands this. Rather than trying to make stats for the Magic and leave no trace of his NBA career, he wants a title.
Porter Jr. has finally understood this, and that’s why I see the Nuggets winning the title this year.
Gordon, kneeling: I accept my role, my lord.
Jokić: good decision, minion.
Gordon was never gonna be the star Orlando needed him to be but I’m glad he found his role in Denver.
Second best was shutting his mouth.
IF YA SMELLLLLLLLELELELE
One of my fave things about this team is seeing the guys buy in, AG and MPJ in particular. I think they realize they are part of something special next to Jokic
The Celtics need some of this energy.
Denver had a similar dynamic when Faried was there. A 6’8 small forward, super athletic able to take advantage of Jokic passing with constant cut to the paint. Faried tho couldn’t shoot and I think had also personal issues and so he slowly faded.
Then it was Jerami Grant, another 6’8/6’9 athletic small forward but also able to shoot. In this case it feels Grant, who looked perfect for denver, didn’t accepted a marginal role. He would rather be a 20ppg guy in detroit than a role player in a contender, because he left after the bubble, when Denver looked really good and ready to turn into a real contender.
The moment Denver landed Gordon it worked fine since day 1. He’s efficient, can shot open 3’s, can play defense and he plays his role perfectly. No forced shot, no ego, nothing.
He’s not being disrespectful. He’s talking about Aaron’s strength is cutting to the basket.
High end role players miscast as stars are exactly the type of complementary pieces you need to win a championship.
Wiggins and AG two most recent examples.
Glad for Magic fans that he went West too. Now they can openly root for him, especially since I assume most don’t like the other Florida team
Jokic never asks anyone else to do anything that he wouldn’t fucking do.
Jokic is capable of scoring 30-40 points per night but he doesn’t care if he only scores 8 points as long as his team wins.
AG has always been incredibly talented, but never put in as position to succeed with talent around him and a role made for him. Sucks it came later in his career – but he’s in a good spot
Butler on Martin: “The best thing that he did was accept that he’s my teammate.”
Fuck bones
It helps that Jokic is looking to get his teammates involved and AG knows that. AG knows he will get fed when the opportunity is there so all he needs to do is create that chance for Jokic who will get the ball to him. He gets rewarded with touches when he battles for position, sets screens, and plays defense.
Just read that article on The Athletic about him. Great stuff
Love AG, he’s a brother.
Dude got better each year with Denver averaging basically the same numbers just more efficiently.
i would elect Jokic as president if we could
He’s so big and strong, him and MPJ are nightmare match ups for the heat
I wish Aaron Gordon accepted his role in Orlando. He wanted to be the primary ball handler and took way too many shots outside his range.
I get that it’s easier when you get traded to a team where there are 2-3 people undoubtedly above you, tho.
… also, I’m very happy about Paolo / Franz going into next year.
Lol must be nice having all this help
Virgin “i don’t call them roleplayers, I call them teammates” vs Chad “The best thing he did was accept his role”
“Know your role and shut your mouth!”
His not needing to be the #1 or 2 option has made him a fan favorite. Outside Jokic and Murray, he’s the most valuable player on the Nuggets.
His role looked like being Shaq last night