After the Denver Nuggets claimed the 2022-23 NBA championship, their coaches and players entered the locker room at the Pepsi Center to find a large leather saddle placed on Nikola Jokić’s chair. While Jokić has framed photos of his prized horses in his locker stall, none of them have ever been ridden by someone as large as Jokić.

Nuggets assistant coach David Adelman remarked that he couldn’t picture Jokić on a horse, but he jokingly noted that if there were a horse big enough for the saddle, Jokić would be the one to ride it.

The saddle, custom-made with the red, blue, and white Serbian flag and Jokić’s surname, was a gift from Aaron Gordon. The 28-year-old forward, who played a pivotal role in the Nuggets’ Finals victory and has been a crucial part of Jokić’s success for four seasons, wanted to show his appreciation for Jokić, who has become one of his closest friends. Gordon emphasized that their bond goes beyond basketball. “Even if I never play another game again, I’d hang out with that guy. I’d run through a wall for him,” Gordon shared.

Their connection is reflected in the on-court chemistry between the two players. Through gifts, European trips, screens, and assists, Jokić and Gordon have become integral to the Nuggets’ success.

Their synergy, which is essential to the team’s foundation, was particularly evident during the playoffs as Denver looked to overcome a 2-0 deficit against Minnesota. While star guard Jamal Murray struggled in the first two games, the Nuggets rely heavily on Jokić and Gordon’s playmaking to execute their offensive system.

One of their signature plays is the seamless one-two-three punch, where Jokić receives a pocket pass from Murray and immediately makes a no-look toss to Gordon running along the baseline. It’s a play that has become iconic, with each member of the Nuggets’ traveling party able to recall a memorable version from various games.

Nuggets guard Collin Gillespie likened their connection to “twin telepathy,” while assistant coach Adelman marveled at their ability to execute no-look lobs against rotating defenses.

The bond between Jokić and Gordon is not just a product of their shared success on the court but also a result of years of playing together, honing their understanding of each other’s movements and positioning.

Gordon, with his 6-foot-8 frame and 7-foot-3 wingspan, has been a consistent and reliable presence for Jokić, especially when other key players, like Murray or Michael Porter Jr., have been unavailable. Their partnership is a cornerstone of the Nuggets’ offense, making Gordon an indispensable asset to the team.

After they defeated Miami for the title last June, a layover in London from Malaga, Spain, couldn’t prevent Gordon from making a long pit stop in Serbia before fulfilling sneaker tour obligations in China — Gordon helped recruit Jokić to sign with the same Chinese sportswear company, 361 Degrees.

Gordon landed first in Belgrade, then met Jokić for a long evening replete with Rakija — Serbia’s national, strong beverage of choice — in Novi Sad, before following him back to Sombor. He watched Jokić ride a bike through the town, seeing his influence on the community as he passed through with each pedal. Jokić constructed an entire compound of homes for his family so they can all live together, something Gordon has always dreamed of building for his own tribe.

“He saw my life and my friends,” Jokić told Yahoo Sports. “It was a cool thing to see, to have him there.”