Orlando Magic: 3 bold predictions for the 2020-21 season

1. Aaron Gordon is an All-Star

It has to happen at some point, right? That is the boldest claim that the Magic can make this year. That Gordon will be an All-Star, not just one who shows up and gets robbed on the Saturday night. Many thought it might have happened before now, but there has been a lack of consistency to Gordon’s game which has frustrated for years.

He can go through patches, often against better opponents, where he is the Magic’s best defender, while also dropping 20+ points and 8 or so rebounds. What usually follows is a run where he looks disengaged and disinterested, and it is tough to watch. That is not a personal knock on Gordon, he is surely not going out there to play in that manner on purpose.

But that is the real frustration of watching him play. We know how good he can be, he has shown everybody who cares to watch enough times. He’s as ridiculously athletic as ever, and the shooting touch mentioned already is a part of his game more often than not. It is just about creating some consistency, that’s all that’s missing.

So why not this year? Gordon knows he’s a starter, and will likely be at the four spot, his preferred position. He’s settled with a head coach and a point guard who will always try and find him if he is in the best position to attack. Playing with Bacon and Fournier, the paint may be less cramped so he’ll have more room to work with.

The franchise really needs a face, at least until Isaac gets back, despite the best intentions of Vucevic. That now yearly trade talk throughout the offseason has died down, and for now it looks like he has the backing of the front office. To go out there and put up All-Star level numbers and play, at a time when the Orlando Magic need it most, would be huge for both player and team.