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Aaron Gordon 2015-16 Statistical Projections

By Brett David Roberts

Apr 4, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Orlando Magic forward Andrew Nicholson (44) and Orlando Magic forward Aaron Gordon (00) reach for a rebound above Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) during the second quarter at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 4, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Orlando Magic forward Andrew Nicholson (44) and Orlando Magic forward Aaron Gordon (00) reach for a rebound above Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) during the second quarter at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 10, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic forward Aaron Gordon (00) shoots the ball against the Toronto Raptors during the fist quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 10, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic forward Aaron Gordon (00) shoots the ball against the Toronto Raptors during the fist quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Aaron Gordon battled injuries and inconsistency as a rookie, but what exactly changes in his sophomore NBA season?

Last season was something of an unwritten story for Aaron Gordon.

Nagging injuries derailed his rookie season, and, when he was playing, his discomfort with his teammates and the NBA game showed. Gordon at times showed flashes of that All-Star talent that made him a No. 4 overall pick, but other times he was simply disappointing.

When asked why he had not fought to return sooner with his injuries, he commented NBA players need every split-second of reaction time to cover world class athletes.  Gordon knew he was hobbled, and that doubt plagued his play, noticeably so. We really just never even saw a sustained stretch of Gordon at his best.

Feb 11, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic forward Aaron Gordon (00) during an NBA basketball game at Amway Center. The Orlando Magic defeated the New York Knicks 89-83. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 11, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic forward Aaron Gordon (00) during an NBA basketball game at Amway Center. The Orlando Magic defeated the New York Knicks 89-83. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /

But the hope is that in year two he gains the comfort necessary to play his best basketball, because indications are the best Gordon is, indeed, very good.

He showed in summer league a heightened intensity on offense and on the glass. The 6-foot-8 forward led the Orlando summer league in rebounds per game while displaying a jump shot many were unaware he had.

Was it improved or simply undisplayed?

It is tough even to say, but Gordon hit 6 of 12 from behind the arc, while showing the confidence to release the shot off the dribble or curling off screens. The Gordon we saw during summer league was a focused, intense one.

Gordon generated buzz around the league and now has people genuinely wondering just how good he can be.

Certainly the tools are present, and if there is a coach capable of helping him carve himself into an NBA forward, Scott Skiles certainly fits the bill given his past resume. Even with all the praise and seeming improvement, Gordon’s youth and inexperience make him the most difficult to project in Orlando’s rotation.

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