Aaron Gordon provided Two of the most dramatic moments so far in the NBA qualifiers.
These last second heroic did not come as a surprise has Those who know The former Archbishop Mitty High Star the best.
“Aaron was so successful At all levels, he has played, but seeing him prosper in the NBA while a teammate fills you with overwhelming pride, “said Mitty coach Tim Kennedy. Improve every year In several facets of his game.
“He’s my best friend,” added Mitty’s former teammate, Brandon Abajelo.
Gordon has already accomplished A little in his 11 -year NBA career. He is twice a finalist in the Slam Dunk competition – some would say a double Snubré winner – and won a championship with the Denver Nuggets in 2023.
But Gordon’s reputation as a player has reached a new brand in high water in playoffs. His penchant to spend in key moments won several victories for Denver.
On April 26, Son Dunk Putback beating the buzzer – the first in the history of the NBA qualifiers – won a pivot victory for match 4 for the Nuggets, in the evening their first round series with the Los Angeles clippers.
Then Monday in Oklahoma City, its 3-point corner in the decreasing seconds finished the return of Denver with a 14-point deficit, guaranteeing a 121-119 victory against the Thunder in match 1 of the semi-finals of the West Conference.
Through all this, Gordon was the same guy, say those who knew him during his days in San Jose in Mitty. Now it’s just a question of more people taking note.
“It was crazy,” said Abajelo on Thursday. “It seems that there have been so many great singular moments lately. He deserves things like that. The work he put has always been very constant, and it’s cool to see everything together in the biggest moments.
“I mean, its shooting this year was crazy. Its shape seems much more fluid. Dunks of crazy putback and winners of the game, these are the types of things that I feel that you can never plan them. But they just happen to you when you put the work. ”
Gordon, who converted a warehouse into a house that has a complete half-terrain of basketball, got into the habit of practicing 3 points late in the night or early in the morning. He was reimbursed, because a career in a career of 33.1% at 3 points converted 43.6% of his attempts this season.
“I thought that winning an NBA championship would be one of the things for which he is the best known, but his dunk to win the match with the expired time will be one of the most emblematic finishes in the history of the NBA,” said Kennedy. “In addition, winning another eliminatory match with a 3 -point shot is special because it shows how much he worked to improve this part of his game.”
Gordon was called the soul of the Nuggets by the acting coach of Denver, David Adelman. The center of Superstar Nikola Jokic added: “He probably does not have as much respect as he deserves it. But I think he does not need it.”
He definitely has it of those who hear the most for him. The Mitty basketball community was shaken by the tragic and unexpected death of Gordon’s older brother, Drew, last May.
Since then, Gordon had to pick up the pieces with his family and those closest to him. Gordon changed his number from 50 to 32, which he and Drew were carrying at Mitty and Drew sported in the professional ranks.
He played a role in helping to raise him the two young sons of Drew, Zayne and Brody, who accompanied him to his post -match press conference on Monday after the winning basket with which he did – yes – 3.2 seconds to the clock.
Nothing can completely replace the void of his life left with the death of Drew. But basketball, friends and family help transport it day by day.
“It was a difficult year with Drew who passed and everything,” said Abajelo. “So I am happy that all these good things happen again.”
Abajelo and Gordon have been friends for their 12 years and have played together in the Mitty university team. Gordon was the Pinfonneur in a prolific section for the monarchs which included two state championships in division II CIF and a close defeat against Mater Dei during the first match of the CIF open division 12 years ago.
“It was so much better than everyone at this level that it made the game so much easier for everyone,” said Abajelo. “We put more a national presence in terms of games we play. He has definitely raised it. He was the ultimate cheat code there. Just a man among boys.”
Their friendship has persisted since their diploma in 2013, and they have been together through the ups and downs since then. Abajelo was there when Gordon won his first NBA title in 2023 and has been there for him in the last 12 months since Drew’s death.
“What makes him special is that he is a very cold guy,” said Abajelo. “It has a very pure and good perspective on life, understands what is important, which is not important, where to put energy. Just a nice and understanding guy. When his coach said he was the soul of the team, it is because he is a moving person, a conscious person.
“The type of person who can have very complex and existential conversations, and he is interested in this type of thing. He is a very cooled guy and cooled throughout the mad reputation.”
These conversations continued as Gordon sails in a new reality following the loss of his brother.
“It was terrible and simply completely eviscerated,” said Abajelo. “Everyone had their hearts broken by it. For me, it was just a god. One of the worst things that I have ever gone. So it was difficult. It fears, but you are trying to do your best and be there and try to keep everything together. ”
Things will never be the same again, but those around Gordon are determined to help each other through the challenges they face.
“When there are high levels of sorrow, many people try to see if they can offer a solution for someone,” said Abajelo. “But there is no solution. It is therefore simply a question of being there and being present and trying to keep the spirits higher than them.”
The positive moments that Gordon has written recently contributed to this mission. Gordon’s family and friends have endured a lot of sadness and pain in the past year.
Each little joy helps.
And in recent weeks, there has been a lot to do.
“”Doing his coach calling him “the soul of the team” is one of the most impressive parts of whom is Aaron, “said Kennedy.” I could not be happier or proud of him. »»
California Daily Newspapers
