May 26, 2013; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Miami Heat center Chris Bosh (1) celebrates with power forward Udonis Haslem (40) during the second quarter against the Indiana Pacers in game three of the Eastern Conference finals of the 2013 NBA Playoffs at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Miami defeated Indiana 114-96. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Rhodes-Imagn Images Jamie Rhodes-Imagn Images

Udonis Haslem Likens Denver Nuggets Star To Big 3 Era Chris Bosh

Originally posted on Miami Heat on SI
By Shandel Richardson | Last updated May 10, 2025 2:40 PM ET

The Miami Heat were successful during the early 2010s because of LeBron James and Dwyane Wade.

They won two titles in four straight NBA Finals appearances from 2010-14 behind the Hall of Famers but Chris Bosh was often considered the most important piece. Heat legend Udonis Haslem, who played on those teams, sees a similar situation on the Denver Nuggets.

Aaron Gordon is the perfect third-wheel to Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray.

"To me, obviously Joker is their best player, Jamal Murray is their second-best player, but Aaron Gordon is to me their most important player," Haslem said on NBA TV.

Udonis Haslem: "Obviously Joker is their best player, Jamal Murray is their second best player, but Aaron Gordon is their most important player."

Thanks to the Redditor u/Classic-Carpet7609 for the video:https://t.co/zkytr0jkWm pic.twitter.com/cp3kC8JJMv
— MrBuckBuck (@MrBuckBuckNBA) May 10, 2025

The Nuggets lead 2-1 against the No. 1 seeded Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference semifinals mostly because of Gordon. He is averaging 18 points, nine rebounds and 2.3 assists.

Haslem knows first-hand about Gordon's play after he was vital in the Nuggets defeating the Heat in 2023 Finals.

"He is the player in the Finals that we just didn't have an answer for," Haslem said. "They put him down on that baseline when he works that dunker spot. If you step up on Joker, he lobs that ball to him. He is shooting the ball at a 55=percent clip from the three-point range ... and on the defensive end, he's going to take the challenge against your best offensive player."

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This article first appeared on Miami Heat on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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