The Western Conference took a while to heat up this season, but now that it has, the Denver Nuggets appear to be the West’s team to beat. While everyone is talking about Nikola Jokic’s MVP performance and the returns of Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr., Aaron Gordon has been the Nuggets’ unsung hero this season.

Jokic examines Gordon’s breakout campaign.

Nikola Jokić and Aaron Gordon’s Summer in Serbia: Knuckleheads Podcast – The Players’ Tribune on YouTube.

With Murray and Porter taking their time adjusting to NBA play, Gordon was under extra pressure to contribute early in the season. Gordon has delivered, and he has not slowed down this season. So far, Gordon is having the finest season of his career (16.8 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 2.6 APG, 59.3 FG%), leading Denver to the West’s top seed.

Gordon’s per-game numbers are not significantly different from those we’ve seen throughout his career, but his efficiency has transformed him into a whole different player this season. And as Gordon continues to have a breakout season with the Nuggets, his frontcourt partner-in-crime, Jokic, has taken the time to explain why he believes Gordon is having a career year in Denver right now.

Harrison Wind on X: “I’ve heard Nikola Jokic and Aaron Gordon dine together at Gradska Kafana, a restaurant in downtown Sombor.” https://t.co/l1xyl8yz6j” / X

“I think this year he’s playing really simpler.” — Nikola Jokic of The Denver Post

Gordon’s little shift in playing style makes the Nuggets extremely dangerous.

Nikola Jokic’s game-winning block lifts Nuggets past Raptors | Mile High Sports.

Gordon has been a frustrating player his entire career. He had a lot of talent, but he was always making things harder for himself than necessary. That is a significant reason why the Orlando Magic elected to part ways with Gordon while gaining something in return by trading him to the Nuggets

Gordon’s playing style, on the other side, has improved since joining Denver. He’s cut down on the number of needless shots he took early in his career, which has benefited not only himself but the entire Nuggets offense. It certainly helps that he plays with Jokic, but Gordon has done everything he can to enhance his game in Denver this season, and the results have been excellent.NBA First Basket Prop Pick: Bet on Nikola Jokic and Aaron Gordon in Nuggets vs Hornets. With Murray and Porter back in form, the Nuggets are ready to dominate the Western Conference for the remainder of the season. However, Gordon could be Denver’s X-Factor, and if he continues to play at this level, the Nuggets will be tough to beat for the rest of the season.