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Orlando Magic: 5 takeaways from the 2018-19 NBA season

By Luke Duffy

Orlando Magic head coach Steve Clifford coaches players during action against the Atlanta Hawks at the Amway Center in Orlando, Fla., on Friday, April 5, 2019. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel/TNS via Getty Images)
Orlando Magic head coach Steve Clifford coaches players during action against the Atlanta Hawks at the Amway Center in Orlando, Fla., on Friday, April 5, 2019. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel/TNS via Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
(Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /

3. Aaron Gordon can be the man

Another obvious deficiency for the Magic throughout their rebuild has been the lack of foundational piece that they could point to as the player who would be the face of the franchise.

First time All-Star Vucevic was that guy throughout the regular season, and as great as that was, his disappearing act once the playoffs began was worrisome. Given that he is also now in his prime, it felt like a younger player, one who could represent the up-and-coming nature of this team, would be needed for this role. Enter Aaron Gordon.

This was the season where it was accepted that he was going to be more than just a crazy athletic forward who would go viral on Twitter a few times a year and put up big scoring numbers from time to time. His two-way game was unlocked, and it was a great sight to behold for Magic fans, because it was clear throughout the campaign that Gordon is only going to get better on both ends.

There is now less flash and more substance to his game, and we saw this on a nightly basis with Gordon typically matching up with the opponent’s best player on the defensive end to try and slow them down. That he was able to at least make Kawhi Leonard work for his points in their first round playoff series is among the most impressive things Gordon has ever done on the court.

Gordon was without a doubt the best performer for the Magic throughout their short-lived playoff run. He didn’t look fazed by the moment at all, and those who say that making the playoffs as a lower seed only to get beaten is not good for a team need only look at what it did for Gordon and the Magic.

It confirmed that he can be the player they really build around next season, whether Vucevic is on the roster or not. He shot 40 percent from deep in five games in the postseason, and had a big Game 4 as he put up 25 points, seven rebounds and five assists. Head coach Steve Clifford challenged him to be more of an influence defensively as well, and he was. It is exciting to think about how much better he can get.

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