Nuggets PF Aaron Gordon Throwing Shade at Magic?

Former Orlando Magic power forward Aaron Gordon has started every game this postseason for the Denver Nuggets on their road to the NBA Finals.

Jeremy Brener | May 23, 2023

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Orlando Magic

ORLANDO - For the first time in franchise history, the Denver Nuggets are going to the NBA Finals.

It's been a long road for the Nuggets, who have won a playoff series in four of the last five postseasons, but they are four wins away from their first NBA championship.

Many moves have propelled the Nuggets to get where they are, including a 2021 trade with the Orlando Magic, which sent starting power forward Aaron Gordon to Denver. Gordon has shined in this playoff run for the Nuggets, averaging 13 points and 5.5 rebounds per game, including a 22-point performance in Monday's Game 4 win against the Los Angeles Lakers.

Gordon spoke to reporters postgame about his journey to Denver, which may have included a shot against Orlando.

“It’s been a lot of work," Gordon said. "I’m just ecstatic to come to an organization that plays the right way.”

Gordon has only played for two teams in his career, so is he insinuating that the Magic doesn't "play the right way?"

Gordon was rather unhappy in the latter part of his Orlando tenure about his situation ... and he was honest about it.

“I mean, there’s been times where I just expressed my frustration to management,” Gordon said back in 2021. “Frustration with the losses, injuries, the way we’ve been playing, how we’ve been playing and how many losses have accumulated over the years. You know, it’s just my frustration kind of boiling over, I would say. And I think a lot of people share that sentiment with me, of frustration.”

The Magic has changed drastically since Gordon was on the team. Orlando has a new coach in Jamahl Mosley who has constantly preached to his young team the need to "play the right way," which resulted in a double-digit win improvement this season.

It's safe to say now that Gordon is far from frustrated as he plays a key role for the Nuggets in their first-ever Finals run, which begins Thursday, June 1 on ABC.

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Published May 23, 2023

JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.