Aaron Gordon isn’t just talking like a man with confidence-he’s talking like someone who’s been there before and knows what it takes to get back. On a recent episode of The Old Man and the Three podcast, the Denver Nuggets forward didn’t mince words when asked about the team’s outlook for this season.
“At the end of the day, I believe we’re going to be the ones that walk off with a win,” Gordon told teammate Cam Johnson. “Everyone else is going to hold an L at the end of the season. Except for us.”
That’s not just your typical midseason bravado. That’s a statement from a player who helped hoist the Larry O’Brien Trophy in 2023 and knows what a championship-caliber locker room feels like.
Now, to be fair, players declaring title intentions isn’t exactly a rarity. Every team with playoff aspirations has someone willing to say, “Why not us?” But Gordon’s words carry a little more weight-not just because of Denver’s resume, but because of who they are right now.
This Nuggets squad isn’t some fringe contender hoping for a Cinderella run. They’re a battle-tested group anchored by arguably the best player in the league in Nikola Jokić, surrounded by a core that knows how to win when it matters.
Even with the Oklahoma City Thunder setting the league on fire at 20-1, Denver’s sitting at a respectable 14-6, good for fourth in the Western Conference. Not dominant, but definitely within striking distance.
And let’s not forget: the Nuggets have been here before. They’ve already proven they can navigate the playoff gauntlet and come out on top. That kind of experience doesn’t just vanish-it sharpens a team’s focus, especially when the postseason looms.
Still, Gordon’s bold proclamation is bound to raise some eyebrows around the league. The defending champion Thunder look like the team to beat right now, and they’ve earned that title with a blistering start and a deep, balanced roster.
You can bet OKC will remember Gordon’s words when they finally meet Denver on the court in February. That matchup just got a little more interesting.
And it’s not just the Thunder who might take issue with Gordon’s confidence. The Lakers, Rockets, Pistons, and Knicks have all shown flashes of being serious contenders this year. There’s no shortage of teams who believe they have what it takes to make a deep run-and they’ll be more than happy to use Gordon’s comments as bulletin-board material.
But let’s be real: Gordon isn’t throwing shade. He’s speaking from a place of belief, not delusion.
This is a Nuggets team that knows what it takes to win it all. They’ve got the pieces, the pedigree, and the motivation.
And in a league where confidence is currency, Gordon’s just making a bold deposit.
The road to the Finals is long, and there’s no guarantee Denver will be the last team standing. But if you ask Aaron Gordon, he’s already seen the ending-and it ends with the Nuggets holding the trophy once again.