Mateo’s Hoop Diary: Aaron Gordon is perfect for Team USA basketball and Russell Westbrook’s impact on the Nuggets

Aaron Gordon revealed that he didn’t get a call to join Team USA basketball at Nuggets media day.

“There was a little bit of salt there,” Gordon said. 

Team USA doesn’t always need a star to take up a spot. Most of the elite haven’t been role players for a lot of years or never were. It’s hard for some ballers to flip the switch to getting fewer touches and being expected to screen and play the best defense they ever have. 

Gordon will be just shy of turning 33 when the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics start. If he maintains his level of play, he’ll be a great option for the team. 

Versatility is vital in international competition. AG is a top-tier athlete at 6-foot-9 and jacked to the gills. His switch ability on defense, off-ball movement and IQ are winning assets to any squad. On top of that, he can play small-ball center because he overpowers mismatches at close range and runs the floor quickly- Team USA can use this in lineups built for speed. 

The Nuggets forward was the top defender in the 2023 Playoffs. He guarded Kevin Durant for 2.5 hours in the semis, holding him to 37.7% shooting. In round one, he held Karl-Anthony Towns to 35.7% of field goals in 80 minutes. Jimmy Butler was checked for 127 minutes in the Finals, logging 44% of shots, per NBA Stats.

Offseason work

Polishing his 3-point shooting was a priority. He shot 29.8% on 1.3 catch-and-shoot trays during the last regular season and 44% on 2.2 tries in the Playoffs.

If Gordon can maintain his Playoff split during the regular campaign, opponents can’t sag off to disrupt his drive as often. If they do, he must make them pay for jamming the Nuggets’ offense with a jumper or set up a quick handoff to the closest teammate to attack the space. 

Guarding him closer will also make beating a defender off the dribble easier after the catch. 

Russell Westbrook’s impact  

Bringing in a former MVP and one of two players in NBA history to average a triple-double as a sixth man or spot starter is a big deal. Keep in mind that such a statistical achievement has been logged five times; he has four of them and always demonstrates an excellent work ethic despite his role. Westbrook will turn 36 years old on Nov. 12.

The team’s culture and the hunt to win a championship attracted him to the organization over the summer. “I’m always, at this stage of my career, always looking to play the right way, regardless of the wins and losses,” he said. 

Opponents will try to scheme out Westbrook by making him take jumpers. Maximizing fast break opportunities by turning into the Showtime Nuggets with him playing is a solution to avoiding the sag. Off-ball screening will also have to be sharper than ever in the half-court so he can capitalize on cuts and openings through the middle via flares and staggers.

In 2023-24, most of Westbrook’s scores were assisted by James Harden (33) and Paul George (29). He’ll have an easier time getting open playing next to Nikola Jokić because the reigning MVP commands more attention from the elbow down than Harden and George. So, Westbrook will have more wing and baseline avenues available. 

Also, the Nuggets could successfully run inverted pick-and-roll sets with him and Joker. It will be difficult to stop his speed after the screen as he operates as a wideout, trying to explode after the catch.  

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