The Denver Nuggets seem to be the team to beat in the Western Conference now that it has heated up. The conference took a while to heat up this season. Aaron Gordon has been the Nuggets’ unsung hero this season, even though everyone is concentrating on Nikola Jokic’s MVP performance and the return of Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr.

Jokic talks on Gordon’s historic effort.

Gordon was under additional pressure to contribute early in the season since Murray and Porter were taking their time getting used to NBA play again. Even though Gordon has performed well, this season has seen no slowdown from him. Gordon is leading Denver to the top seed in the West and is enjoying the best season of his career thus far (16.8 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 2.6 APG, 59.3 FG%).

Although Gordon’s per-game statistics are essentially unchanged from his career average, his effectiveness this season has transformed him into an entirely different player. Gordon’s frontcourt partner-in-crime, Jokic, took some time to explain why he believes Gordon is enjoying a career year in Denver at the moment, as Gordon continues to have an incredible season with the Nuggets.

Harrison Wind on X: “I have heard Aaron Gordon and Nikola Jokic dine together at Gradska Kafana, a downtown Sombor restaurant. / X https://t.co/L1XYL8yZ6j

“I believe he is playing much more simply this year.” The Denver Post’s Nikola Jokic

Gordon’s little change in playing style makes the Nuggets exceedingly dangerous.

Nikola Jokic’s game-winning block propels Nuggets past Raptors – Mile High Sports.

Gordon has been a frustrating player throughout his career. He had a lot of potential, but he was always making things more difficult for himself than necessary. That is a major reason why the Orlando Magic chose to part ways with Gordon and gain something in exchange by dealing him to the Nuggets.

Gordon’s playstyle, on the other hand, has improved since he joined Denver. He’s reduced the number of unnecessary shots he took earlier in his career, which has benefited not only himself but also the Nuggets’ offense as a whole. It clearly helps that he plays with Jokic, but Gordon has done everything he can to improve his game with Denver this season, and the results have been very good.

NBA First Basket Prop Pick: Bet on Nikola Jokic and Aaron Gordon in Nuggets vs Hornets

With Murray and Porter returning to form, the Nuggets are poised to dominate the Western Conference for the rest of the season. However, Gordon may be Denver’s X-Factor, and if he continues to play at this level, the Nuggets will be difficult to beat for the remainder of the season.