Orlando Magic: Predicting their opening night starting 5
By Luke Duffy
Power Forward: Aaron Gordon
Like Payton, we won’t know until opening night whether Gordon has received an early extension or will be a restricted free agent next summer. Everybody expects the team to make an offer, and so it makes sense that the newly extended player will kick off the season as a starter.
Gordon is still only 21 years old, and in his first three season he went from playing 17 to 23.9 to 28.7 minutes per night. There’s only so much playing time to go around, but don’t be surprised if Gordon continues to trend upwards in this category.
As of now he’s the closest thing to a star this team has in the sense that he excites fans and is capable of having big nights on the court too.
Aaron Gordon is a reminder to quit while you're ahead.
— Matt Smith (@SmanSports) February 19, 2017
Gordon still struggles for consistency, but by late last season had a couple of offensive moves he was rolling out and was having success with.
There’s no reason to think that will change now, and despite not being a great defender he is willing and throws his athletic frame about in hopes of shutting down his man.
Gordon has been underwhelming for large parts of his career to date, but when you consider his age and who he’s played with, it is to be expected. If anybody on this team is going to have a breakout year it’s this guy. He just may need to get more comfortable playing some more small forward to accommodate Isaac as well.