Ryan Blackburn here, the host of the daily Locked On Nuggets podcast, with your daily Locked On Nuggets newsletter. Each day we bring you the biggest stories about the Nuggets and the NBA, including the hottest links to other stories you need to read. Plus, Josh Lloyd delivers daily fantasy notes to crush your league.
Aaron Gordon’s injury is an obstacle, not a barrier
Oct 28, 2024; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon (32) during warm-ups before a game against the Toronto Raptors at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images|John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
Aaron Gordon is going to be out for “multiple weeks” following a right calf strain he suffered against the Toronto Raptors on Monday.
On the latest episode of Locked On Nuggets, Matt and I discussed the implications for the Nuggets and how they can survive without one of their most reliable players.
Here are five points we made:
Defensive Pressure and Rim Protection: Gordon is a versatile defender who often takes on challenging matchups, guarding opposing frontcourt players very well. His absence leaves a gap in the Nuggets’ defense, especially in rim protection and defending athletic scorers. The team’s younger players will be forced to step up, and while Peyton Watson and Zeke Nnaji may be ready for the challenge, it’s unlikely they will be as consistent as Gordon across different matchups.
Increased Offensive Workload: Gordon’s absence also impacts the offensive end, where he has become the Nuggets “Jack-of-All-Trades” option in every scenario. Need a basket inside? Gordon can create it for himself or mind meld with Nikola Jokic on a backdoor cut. Need an assist? Gordon often pays back Jokic while also showcasing strong court vision. Need a three? Suddenly, Gordon has become reliable on that front. Asking any of Denver’s players to fill in those gaps could be challenging.
Consistency from the Bench: Denver’s bench rotation will need to adjust significantly, which could create inconsistency as roles shift. Peyton Watson is likely to start, and that means more minutes for Hunter Tyson, Zeke Nnaji, and others behind him. These are uncharted waters for Michael Malone and the Nuggets. For a team aiming for postseason success, these upcoming games are critical for building bench depth, yet they also pose the risk of potential growing pains and losses.
Maintaining Team Chemistry: Gordon’s absence is a reminder of the physical toll of an NBA season, something that can put the entire team on edge. For the Nuggets, keeping morale high will be essential early, especially as young players take on larger roles. Veterans like Jokic and Jamal Murray must support and motivate, helping develop confidence in those around them.
Long-Term Development Opportunity: Despite the challenges, Gordon’s absence provides Denver’s young players with invaluable experience. They can use this period to improve, gain trust from coaches, and prepare for potential playoff minutes. If Watson, Nnaji, Tyson, and Julian Strawther can step up effectively, they may bolster Denver’s depth for the long term, adding resilience to the roster when Gordon returns.
While Gordon’s injury is a setback, it also represents an opportunity for growth. The coming weeks will demand both resilience and adaptability from the entire team. We will see if they’re ready for the moment.
Sports fandom has long been a vehicle of escape, basketball fandom perhaps even more so. If you’re someone who toggles between NBA and WNBA, then you’ll never have a break in games you can escape into. If you’re purely an NBA watcher, then the league has done its willful best to make its product one that runs all year round, even if the games themselves take a break. If you’re even a little online then you can find something NBA-related to get excited/upset/anxious/overworked about any day the year, even in the deepest dregs of August.
Escapism is fine as a temporary measure. There’s no person alive that doesn’t seek it out in some shape or form, sometime. In basketball fandom the dangers of treating the game, and the people who play it, as a pure means of escape run fairly parallel to the dangers of this political moment.
To lose sight of the humanity of athletes, to range on the spectrum of othering to nullification of their personhood; to assume a franchise has only your interests as its sole, driving concern. To put so much stake into the outcome of a game, a season, that anything outside of pure dominance and control is considered failure. To take on defeat as a personality trait and grow miserable, hostile, blame serving both as vitriolic release and an easy balm.
This is perhaps a clumsy attempt to address the U.S. election results last night in a newsletter about NBA basketball, but it seemed a perfect encapsulation of my point of blind escapism to write about OKC’s pestering defence, or Joel Embiid’s three game suspension after shoving a reporter, and make no mention of Donald Trump’s second ascension.
Basketball isn’t apolitical. No sport is, but the NBA hasn’t been for a long time. Shut up and dribble, stop-work protests in the Orlando Bubble led by athletes personally the target of police brutality, taking a knee. Even when it isn’t trying to be, it is, because it’s a game played by people and beyond that, predominantly Black men. In October 1979, when the Knicks paired their roster from 13 players down to 11 — a move required by league regulation — media and fans jumped on the move because the remaining team became the first all Black roster in the league. “White people have to have white heroes,” Cavs owner, Ted Stepien said at the time, “I myself can’t equate to Black heroes, I’ll be truthful. I respect them, but I need white people.”
Being the target of someone’s desire for escapism can be enough to turn something from the political to the personal, and vice versa. We’re seeing a new iteration of it now with the rise of sports betting and the blurring of boundaries between athletes and fans, but Kareem Abdul-Jabbar saw and put it succinctly in the early 1970s. “Out there, you’re a vector for all the hostility in the stands,” he said.
As a conduit for escape, there are no political prerequisites. Fandom isn’t barred from you based on your voting patterns. There may be an urge now, regardless of how you hoped (even as an observer, as I am) this election ended up, to burrow into basketball as escape, almost as a reflexive action. The distinct humanitarian fracturing at play not only in this election but on a global scale, this onus of “us vs.them”, or blame over solution (blame as solution), the narrowing of scope to only have your own interests at heart, is all a symptom of escapism. Just as it’s crucial as an engaged fan to not lose sight of an athlete’s personhood, the same goes, albeit on a decidedly more critical scale, in the wider world.
Katie Heindl is a credentialed NBA and WNBA writer, her bylines have appeared with The New York Times Magazine, SLAM, The Athletic, Yahoo Sports, Dime, Rolling Stone, among others. She writes the bestselling Substack, Basketball Feelings and is working on a book of the same name.
Home and Away
Must Read Over the years, the NBA has learned to embrace activism and social justice. Read more. (TIME)
Legacy Reflecting on Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s impact — here’s how he changed the rules for Black athletes. (National Endowment for the Humanities)
Analysis How did Sterling Brown get the NBA to listen to its players? (The Daily Beast)
Feel Good Russell Westbrook’s viral statement after the Nuggets vs. Raptors game highlights his passion and determination. (Sports Illustrated)
Feel Good Westbrook’s game-winning stop on RJ Barrett sparks excitement and praise among Nuggets fans. (Sports Illustrated)
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Fantasy Basketball Replacements For Jeremy Sochan & Aaron Gordon
Denver Nuggets forward Peyton Watson (8) reacts after a play in the fourth quarter against the Toronto Raptors at Ball Arena.|Photo by Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images
As we gear up for another action-packed Wednesday with 12 NBA games, it’s crucial to stay updated on player statuses and potential fantasy basketball moves. Injuries are shaking up lineups, and knowing who to add or drop can make all the difference in your fantasy league.
Key Injuries and Player Additions
Aaron Gordon’s calf strain is a significant blow, sidelining him for an estimated four weeks. This opens up opportunities for Peyton Watson, who is expected to see increased minutes, making him a valuable addition to your roster. Julian Strawther might also benefit, but Watson is the priority pick.
Jeremy Sochan’s thumb fracture is another long-term injury, likely keeping him out for six to eight weeks. In his absence, Julian Champagnie emerges as a strong candidate for increased playing time. While Keldon Johnson might be a points league preference, Champagnie is a solid choice across formats.
Nick Richards is dealing with fractured rib cartilage, sidelining him for at least two weeks. With Mark Williams also out, the Hornets will likely start Taj Gibson, but he’s not a recommended fantasy add. Instead, keep an eye on Grant Williams, who could be a viable option in deeper leagues.
Game Previews and Strategic Considerations
The Detroit Pistons face the Charlotte Hornets, with the Hornets slightly favoured. Jalen Duren’s recent performances have been promising, but his minutes might be capped, allowing Isaiah Stewart to continue his role as a backup centre. Stewart’s current role suits him well, and he’s performing admirably in it.
For the Charlotte Hornets, LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller’s dynamics are worth monitoring. Ball’s interactions with Charles Lee and Miller’s reduced minutes and shooting are areas of concern. Miles Bridges’ performance has been underwhelming, but improvement is expected.
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Nuggets podcasts.
Can Nuggets stand together without AG? Matt and Ryan go over the big picture of Aaron Gordon’s injury, discuss the next few weeks of Nuggets basketball, and preview tonight’s game against OKC.
Aaron Gordon is OUT for multiple weeks Who will step up for the Denver Nuggets in light of Aaron Gordon’s injury? Will the Nuggets be able to sustain over the course of his absence?
Youth In Revolt: Denver’s Youngsters Help Nuggets Survive Raptors (Again) Christian Braun is a STUD. Peyton Watson is a DAWG. Julian Strawther is ELECTRIC. And Denver’s young guys stepped up and helped Nikola Jokic get a win over the Raptors.
