Denver Gazette beat writer Vinny Benedetto takes you around the NBA and inside the Nuggets locker room:
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BOULDER — If Aaron Gordon ever was a boy in the NBA, he’s definitely not these days.
The 31-year-old made the claim at Monday’s media day that he was the first youth allowed into the NBA, which stood for “No Boys Allowed,” in player circles.
“I got into the league at 18 years old. I could roll out of bed, play 48 minutes, then go back to bed, wake up the next day like I didn’t play ready for a back-to-back,” Gordon said. “I used to make fun of all the old guys for having to get to the gym an hour early, two hours early and do all these warm-up and cool-down exercises and all these funky tricks of the trade that they picked up throughout their time.”
Heading into Year 13, Gordon’s an old head by NBA standards. His body has acted as such. A series of hamstring and calf strains are the primary reason Gordon played in 87 of 164 regular-season games over the last two seasons and half Denver’s six playoff games against Minnesota, so he adopted some habits of the players who used to be the butt of his youthful jokes.
“Now, I’m a grown man, and now I have a whole bunch of tricks of the trade,” Gordon said. “I need to be here much earlier and stay much later. I need to invest a lot more time warming up and a lot more time cooling down so I can be available for these guys.”
The problem is Gordon’s skill set is irreplaceable for the Nuggets when he’s not available.
“AG is a one-on-one,” executive vice president of player personnel Jon Wallace said Monday. “We know what he means to this team, this organization and he does as well. I think he had a good summer.”
Wallace and executive vice president of basketball operations Ben Tenzer made a trip to visit Gordon in Florida this summer to make sure all parties were on the same page heading into a pivotal season. After last season ended in disappointing fashion, team president Josh Kroenke said everything was on the table outside of trading Nikola Jokic. That’s going to remain true if the Nuggets fail to reestablish themselves as championship contenders.
“When we have all our guys, and we’re available, we’re still the best in the league,” Gordon said.
Gordon was more than available for the first day of training camp Tuesday at CU Events Center, where the Nuggets will play their first preseason game Sunday. His name was the first out of David Adelman’s mouth when the coach was asked who stood out after the team’s first formal practice.
“He just got up and down so well. He was fluid. He caught a lob, which was good to see. I really mean that,” Adelman said Tuesday. “He brought the ball up, orchestrated the offense, just high-level communication defensively which obviously is a big thing for us. When the guy is on the floor, he sees things very early, which is a gift. It was good to see him out there.”
Gordon described Day 1 of training camp as “sloppy,” but he wasn’t alarmed. He’s been through enough to know what to expect, and while he needs a little more time to maintain his body these days, he knows what it brings to a team with defensive limitations that’s still trying to win a second title.
“I don’t boast too much, but I’m a 6-foot-9 forward that guards one through five,” Gordon said Tuesday.
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic greets his head coach David Adelman as Jokic takes his turn at speaking to the press on Nuggets Media Day at Ball Arena on Monday, Sept. 28, 2023. (Jerilee Bennett, The Gazette)
What I’m Thinking
When Dave Joerger was added to the Nuggets’ coaching staff, the assumption was he would help orchestrate the defense.
After all, Joerger is best remembered for his team coaching the Grit and Grind Grizzlies, but Denver’s coach has other plans.
“He’ll help me with the offense,” Adelman said Tuesday. “Dave’s a head coach. I know our offense has been good for a long time, (but) it’s nice to have somebody with fresh ideas. I thought the stuff he ran in Memphis was really impressive.”
It’s an interesting move, considering Denver’s offense continued to be elite last season and its defense, especially in transition, has been closer to the opposite. Jared Dudley was Denver’s de facto defensive coordinator last season as a first-year assistant, and the Nuggets finished the regular season ranked 21st in defensive rating. Adelman and Gordon both said the defensive schemes don’t need drastic changes.
“We could consolidate a couple of things, make it more simplistic and more black and white,” Gordon said.
“A lot of it just comes down to energy, effort and IQ — keeping it simple.”
Dudley’s back for a second season alongside Adelman, while this will be Joerger’s first in Denver. If Adelman doesn’t get this and other moves right, pressure will mount, but the Nuggets’ coach said he’s more than comfortable with his newest assistant after previously interviewing with Joerger when he was the coach of the Kings.
“That interview was one of the most fun I’ve ever had. We just talked basketball for a night and a day, so I knew at some point it would be really fun to work with him,” Adelman said. ”
“You have to know who these people are before you let them in, and I trust Dave. He’s a great basketball mind to help our staff.”
Washington Wizards forward Cam Whitmore (1) playing against the Milwaukee Bucks during the second half an NBA basketball game, Monday, Dec. 1, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/John McDonnell)
What They’re Saying
When Gordon was asked which newcomer stood out on the first day of training camp, Cam Whitmore was the first name out of his mouth.
“Cam’s a very good player,” Gordon said. “He’s big, strong. He’s talented. He’s going to be a good addition. I hope that he sticks.”
Whitmore’s name was second out of Adelman’s mouth when asked a similar question as Gordon. The 22-year-old is the youngest player at training camp after being drafted 20th in the 2023 draft.
“He could play for the Broncos,” the Nuggets’ coach said. “I swear to God. The thing about Cam is he has to simplify himself. He’s got to drive the ball to the basket. He’s got to pick up defensively. His athletic profile is incredible. It’s the reason why this guy was picked high. There’s a long way to go. It’s tough to break a rotation. It’s tough to make a team in the NBA. Athletic talent is not enough to make it, but today was a good day for Cam. If he stays with it and he’s consistent, I think good things could happen for him.”
So, where would Denver’s coach put the 6-foot-6 forward on the football field?
“Safety,” Adelman said.
What I’m Following
Former Nuggets guard Ty Lawson is expected to enter a plea at a court appearance on Thursday in Douglas County. Lawson allegedly stole a bottle of vodka from a Castle Rock liquor store and directed profane comments to an officer in July.
Lawson’s not the only former Nugget in trouble these days. JR Smith was jailed Monday in Texas on a family violence charge.
The NBA has reportedly narrowed down ownership of the expected expansion franchise in Las Vegas to three groups — Nancy Walton Laurie and Bill Laurie, Steve Apostolopoulos and Marc Lasry, Billy Foley and Jerry Colangelo – with a cost of $12 to $13 billion, according to an ESPN report. Walton Laurie is sister to Stan Kroenke’s wife, Ann.