Orlando Magic: One question for each player for 2018-19

By Luke Duffy | Oct 16, 2018

MIAMI, FL - OCTOBER 8: The Orlando Magic stands for the National Anthem during a pre-season game against the Miami Heat on October 8, 2018 at American Airlines Arena, in Miami, Florida. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Oscar Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images) /

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Aaron Gordon: Can he become the guy?

Forward Aaron Gordon was rewarded with a four-year, $80 million extension during the offseason, a good deal for both player and organization. Now that the ink is dry though, Gordon needs to become the man in Orlando.

This won’t be easy, and it will need to happen in a variety of ways. Offensively he still needs to show off his tremendous athleticism to get fans in the arena to watch the Magic play. Gordon also needs to return to the scorching hot 3-point shooter he was to begin last season.

On the defensive end, while head coach Steve Clifford may want him to become an All-Defensive candidate, even just being more engaged on this end would be a plus. Having Isaac and lottery pick Mohamed Bamba around should help him in this area too.

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Gordon averaged 17.6 points and 7.9 rebounds per game last season. That’s approaching All-Star numbers, and another bump in the weaker Eastern Conference could see him get there. Should that happen, we’ll know for sure that Gordon is the face of the Magic.

One word of caution needs to be mentioned about the way he tries to take over games though. Gordon is still forcing it sometimes when trying to will Orlando to a win. Doing this naturally will come in time, but he also needs to move away from that this coming year.

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