The Denver Nuggets have been all business this season. Even in the middle of the campaign, the team made tweaks to improve the roster, acquiring Aaron Gordon from the Orlando Magic at the trade deadline before plucking Austin Rivers from free agency after getting waived by the New York Knicks. The Nuggets viewed them as valuable pieces to help star center Nikola Jokic.
Now, the Nuggets' wise decision-making and brave clairvoyance have paid off. The Mile High Club eliminated the Portland Trail Blazers in Game 6 on Wednesday and quite poetically, it was Rivers and Gordon who delivered the killer blows.
First, it was Rivers who sank a three-pointer with only around three minutes left in the game to stymie the late surge being made by the Trail Blazers.
AUSTIN RIVERS COLD-BLOODED ❄
(via @NBA)pic.twitter.com/usHLBNq2H9
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) June 4, 2021
A few possessions later, with the Nuggets only up by six points, Gordon drained a three-pointer with only 52 ticks remaining, putting the final nail in the coffin of the Trail Blazers.
AARON GORDON.
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) June 4, 2021
Gordon and Rivers, both criticized for much of their careers for their inconsistent play, have gushed about playing with Jokic and the Nuggets. Not surprisingly, both said they've found a real home, crediting the warm reception of fans. They feel wanted.
Rivers, in particular, has been a journeyman in the NBA, playing for five teams before landing with the Nuggets late in the season. While he was initially viewed as a stop-gap measure due to the ACL injury of star guard Jamal Murray, Rivers has been nothing but valuable on both ends for the Nuggets.
Roses are red, violets are blue, Aaron Gordon and Austin Rivers playing for the Nuggets is a big yahoo! Something like that.
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