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Orlando Magic: Grading Aaron Gordon’s 2019-20 NBA season

By Luke Duffy

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - MARCH 6: Aaron Gordon #00 of the Orlando Magic looks on in the fourth quarter during the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center on March 6, 2020 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Magic defeated the Timberwolves 132-118. 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 David Berding/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - MARCH 6: Aaron Gordon #00 of the Orlando Magic looks on in the fourth quarter during the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center on March 6, 2020 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Magic defeated the Timberwolves 132-118. 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 David Berding/Getty Images) /
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Orlando Magic
Orlando Magic (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /

Aaron Gordon’s weaknesses

Unfortunately for Gordon, while his strengths are easy to point out and benefit the team, the same can also be said for his weaknesses and how they hold the Magic back. Consistency has been the main issue for a long time now, with Gordon going through weeks of the regular season appearing to coast by.

We know this is not the case, and his work-rate and desire to help the franchise is not in question. But the inescapable fact is that too often he goes missing. Small injuries have something to do with this too, as Gordon appeared in 62 regular season games this year. It feels like every time he begins to build up a head of steam, something happens to derail Gordon.

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His offensive woes are nothing new, and although the points averaged mentioned already is helpful to the Magic, it is clear from Gordon’s ability that he is capable of much more. Two seasons ago he averaged a career high 17.6 points per game, so we know he is able to put up numbers like this. He did so on a roster that is similar to the one he is a part of now too.

It seems like every player who can’t know down 3-pointers consistently these days gets knocked for it, and Gordon didn’t come into the league known for his long-range shooting abilities. But last season he shot 34.9 percent on 4.4 attempts a game, a number that just about kept defenders honest.

Gordon seemed to really figure out how to step into this shot comfortably, and was knocking down big shots when the Magic needed him to before. For some reason that regressed in a big way this year, as Gordon took less shots from deep each night (3.8), and made far less of them too (30.8 percent).

Which brings us full circle to Gordon’s main weakness, that of consistency. How somebody can go from being the Magic’s best player in a playoff series against the Raptors last season, which he was, to a non-factor for parts of this year is puzzling and worrying. It will continue to hold Gordon back as long as it is the case.

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