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Orlando Magic: 5 reasons to be excited for 2018-19 NBA season

By Luke Duffy

PHILADELPHIA, PA - OCTOBER 01: Head coach Steve Clifford of the Orlando Magic talks to Mohamed Bamba #5 during a timeout during the second quarter of the preseason game against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center on October 1, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - OCTOBER 01: Head coach Steve Clifford of the Orlando Magic talks to Mohamed Bamba #5 during a timeout during the second quarter of the preseason game against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center on October 1, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Rocky W. Widner/NHL/Getty Images)
(Photo by Rocky W. Widner/NHL/Getty Images) /

2. All-Star potential

Over the last six years, the only thing some casual fans would know about the Magic is that they had that one player who appeared in the Slam Dunk Contest at All-Star weekend a couple of times and was really good.

That someone was of course Gordon, but we could be about to embark on a season where we watch him blossom into a legitimate All-Star. Last year was his breakout campaign, with career highs in points (17.6 per game), 3-point percentage (33.6 percent) and Player Efficiency Rating (16.5).

It became clear he had the potential to be the face of the franchise, and the four-year, $80 million deal he signed during the offseason was proof of this. In order to take it to the next level, however, he needs to help Orlando win more games.

They have won over 30 game only once in the last six seasons, and if he wants to get serious about being an All-Star, Gordon will have to will the Magic to more than that this coming season.

Luckily for him though, he’s got more help than in years gone by, which should boost his cause. Combine that with a 3-point shot that was red-hot to start last season before cooling off dramatically, and the tools are there.

A recommitment to being a defensive force might not interest fans, but it would be the kind of improvement that would sway some of the voters when selecting the reserves for the exhibition game.

Even if Gordon doesn’t end up going to Charlotte for the All-Star Game in 2019, we know he is going to be Orlando’s best player more often than not. Watching him attempt to carry this team as far as he can is going to be a whole lot of fun because he has legitimate star power that is growing.

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