Aaron Gordon had hoped to be invited to represent Team USA at the Olympic Games in Paris this summer. Despite not receiving a call, Gordon enjoyed watching his Nuggets colleague Nikola Jokic dominate the tournament.

“I was asked about playing for Team USA, but the call never came,” Gordon stated at a team press conference. “So there was a little salt there. Watching Jokic take them to the wire and almost wash those kittens was great. But with that said, Merica.”

Apparently, Gordon was approached about joining Team USA, but they were able to fill the roster before considering him. Instead, as LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, and Joel Embiid teamed up in Paris, Gordon had to sit back and watch from behind the screen.

Gordon believes Nikola Jokic is already one of the best players of all time, and he was ecstatic to see the Serbian superstar dominate the United States. In fact, with a potential contract extension approaching, Aaron Gordon made it clear to the media where his allegiance lie.

“I really love this organization,” Gordon added. “I love the layers on this team, and I adore the coaches. I hope we finish it. It appears to be headed in the correct way.

Aaron Gordon didn’t compete for a title until he was in his late 20s, despite spending his first seven seasons with the Orlando Magic. Since joining the Nuggets in 2021, Gordon has relished playing with the NBA’s finest center, three-time MVP Nikola Jokic.

“Winning inspires me,” Gordon stated. “I believe Nikola Jokic will be remembered as one of the greatest players of all time. I’m working hard to make the most of his time in the NBA.”

Jokic has helped the Denver Nuggets become one of the West’s top teams this season. The superstar big man is a ball master, and after averaging 20.9 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 6.9 assists per game on 55.7% shooting, he’s on track to have one of his greatest seasons yet.

Jokic was even better at the Olympics, as he led Serbia to the Semi-Finals, averaging 18.8 points, 10.7 rebounds, 8.7 assists, and two steals per game on 53.8% shooting. In 31 minutes against Team USA, he scored 20 points, had 8 assists, 5 rebounds, and four steals.

Unfortunately for Jokic, his effort was insufficient to give Serbia an advantage in the game, but his dominance undoubtedly gave them a fighting chance, and there was a point down the stretch when the outcome might have gone any way.

Aaron Gordon, like the rest of us at home, was watching everything develop, and he couldn’t contain his joy at the prospect of being able to call this guy his colleague for the next several years.

This upcoming season will be another opportunity for the Nuggets to seize control of the Western Conference and establish themselves as a league dynasty for years to come. But, with only one championship under their belt, the Nuggets are aggressively looking for more, and Aaron Gordon is determined to do everything it takes to make it happen.