Nuggets’ Aaron Gordon: “I do a little bit of a lot”

Ask Aaron Gordon what he means to the Nuggets and he delivers a slam dunk of an answer.

“I’m looking to be the glue guy,” the high-flying power forward said. “I do a little bit of a lot.”

But if you ask two-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic, Gordon is being modest.

“You can see how he’s developed,” Jokic said Tuesday as the Nuggets prepared for Wednesday night’s home game against the Wizards.  “He can screen and roll, he can play one-on-one, facing the basket. He can run and rebound. He’s a complete player. He doesn’t have a weak spot. He’s probably one of the top-five, two-way players in the league now.”

That’s saying a whole bunch. Still, Gordon’s numbers illustrate why he’s playing the best stretch of basketball of his seven-year career. He’s averaging 16.7 points per game and has career highs in overall shooting (61.6%) and on 3-pointers (38.5%).

Although Gordon bricked an epic dunk attempt in Denver’s 115-110 win over Utah Saturday night — the ball bounced off the back of the rim and into the stratosphere — he’s an epic finisher. His 57 slams rank sixth in the NBA and he’s on pace for 171 dunks, a number that would blow away his personal best of 130 dunks set last season.

But the one thing Gordon said he’s doing better than ever is bodying up opponents inside.

“I think I’m using my physicality down on the block,” he said. “And I like running and scoring in transition. But I have another level to get to — and so does this team.”

Following Saturday night’s game, coach Michael Malone was asked about Gordon’s contributions to the team. Malone pounced on the chance to talk about his power forward.

“Aaron’s been great, I’m glad you’re bringing him up,” Malone said. “I think we talk so much about Nikola, rightfully so, and Jamal (Murray) — his return to play. But Aaron has just been rock steady. Playing great basketball, efficient basketball.”

Malone is also thrilled with Gordon’s professional attitude.

“If I’m not calling his number he’s not pouting. He’s not moaning,  ‘I’m not getting enough play calls,’ ” Malone said. “He’s finding ways to impact the game, rebounding, running, getting big at the rim, posting up — that’s why all those numbers are so high.

“We’ve talked about being selfless, I think Aaron is also the definition of that.”

As for Gordon’s self-description, Malone said: “It’s been great glue. He’s playing phenomenal basketball because he’s doing it every night. It’s about how consistent Aaron Gordon has been and how he’s checked his ego at the door. He’s saying, “I’m going to do whatever I can to help this team win.’ “