Orlando Magic: 2018-19 player grade for Aaron Gordon
By Luke Duffy
Final Grade
A year largely of positives for Aaron Gordon, who we can say clearly grew in several areas for the Orlando Magic. His role as best two-way player on the team, without getting close to an All-Star nod himself, appeared to sit well with him.
He didn’t mind not getting a lot of the praise as long as the organization was doing well, and it cannot be understated how important that is.
As the Magic continue to improve, they need guys who can fill all of the key areas on their roster.
In Gordon they already have the guy who can be the second- or third-best player on a contending roster, and that is important. He could yet grow to be more, but being that alone already is something.
That he has moved away from the flashy dunks to become a fundamentally sound player will be exactly what coach Steve Clifford wants, and there’s no reason why his upward trajectory cannot continue.
His improved 3-point shooting, and jump shot in general, was a big plus. So too was his performances in the playoffs.
Gordon’s PER, while not ideal, is not the end of the world. If he can improve in next year, that should equate to more wins for the Magic as well.
What has also been forgotten about, and which is hugely important, is how Gordon has continued to mesh well with the other forwards, something which did not always look like it could happen.
Former head coach Frank Vogel had a tough time playing him as a small forward next to Isaac, and it looked like it might not work for a while.
Now though Gordon and Isaac on the court together look a formidable frontcourt, and he should be able to play alongside Bamba going forward as well.
Really then it was a year of pluses for Aaron Gordon, and the Orlando Magic in general. He was one of the three best guys on a playoff outfit that took large strides defensively, and he didn’t have to give up on his offensive skill set to get there.
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Gordon’s potential is beginning to give way to actual talent, and even if he doesn’t hit the heights that it is hoped he will, he showed in 2018-19 that his floor isn’t looking so bad either.