Why Aaron Gordon Misses Nuggets’ Team Dinners Before Game 3
The Denver Nuggets lost the first two games of their second-round series to the Minnesota Timberwolves, resulting in a 0-2 deficit, with both losses occurring on their home court. Before Game 3, experienced center DeAndre Jordan arranged a team meal at a nearby steakhouse in Minneapolis the night before. All team members were present except Aaron Gordon, a detail explained by Sam Amick in The Athletic.
The team dinner was successful – the players left the event feeling calm and without the burden of feeling like they had to win. They proceeded to dominate Game 3 with the help of Nikola Jokic, ultimately winning by a margin of 27 points. Next, Game 4 was won by the Nuggets. Denver was performing at a champion level once more.
Aaron Gordon o13.5 pts
The Nuggets have found a weak spot in the Twolves defense through their usage of Gordon. He has averaged 17.4 ppg so far in this series. He’s gone over this line in 3/5 and gone for 13+ in four straight. He’s gone for 27 and 18 in his last two games… pic.twitter.com/pqEEQuiUkX
— Broke Brothers (@broke_bets) May 16, 2024
Teams must also honor a string of consecutive wins or successes. Players must honor the streak, therefore, Aaron Gordon was excluded when the team had dinner at the steakhouse following Game 4, with the series at a 2-2 tie.
The Nuggets emerged victorious in Game 5 on their home court. Now, in Minneapolis for Game 6, they are back, and Aaron Gordon had to fly alone and missed the team dinner last night.
Gordon is comfortable with all of this – he understands not to interfere with a streak.
“A player who is on a streak must acknowledge and honor the streak… Do you know the reason? Due to their infrequent occurrences… If you think you’re performing well because of your sexual activity, lack of sexual activity, or choice of underwear, then that’s what’s happening!”
— Crash Davis from the movie Bull Durham