Aaron Gordon is entering his seventh season with the Orlando Magic. Will he finally accept his limitations and embrace his best skills as a player?
Orlando Magic forward Aaron Gordon is in the Hall of Fame for polarizing NBA Twitter players. His plaque lists a hypothetical 3-point percentage while a video montage plays nothing but clips of his passing interwoven with prime Draymond Green highlights. The tour guide tells you horror stories about Gordon’s season at small forward and reminds you how young the now 25-year-old Gordon is.
Gordon has played six seasons since being drafted by the Orlando Magic in 2014, but he still hasn’t found his ideal role in the league. The organization hasn’t done him any favors — the veteran swingman had three coaches in his first two seasons and five overall.
You can’t call Gordon a bust, but you wouldn’t say he’s lived up to the expectations of a top-five pick either. Compared to the rest of his draft class, Gordon ranks sixth in points, fourth in rebounds, seventh in blocks, ninth in assists, and 10th in steals. Only three players from that draft ranked in the top 10 in all five of those categories: Andrew Wiggins, Nikola Jokic, and Gordon.
Gordon has the potential to be a “Swiss Army Knife” type player who can pass, rebound, and defend multiple positions. The main concern with Gordon has always been his tendency to play outside himself. But if he accepts his offensive limitations, he can finally take his game to the next level.
I’m not writing this because I don’t believe in Gordon. I will likely die on Aaron Gordon Island. It’s for you to decide whether or not you agree with me.