The Orlando Magic’s moves have raised a lot of questions about Aaron Gordon and his role. He is excited for what is to come with the team this season.
There is a lot of hand-wringing and wondering about the Orlando Magic when it comes to the 2017 season. The team took on a new identity and reshuffled nearly half the roster in making some major signings.
There is no omelette without a few cracked eggs.
But the change also means a shift in role for several key players still on the roster. And no player probably will see more changes to his role than Aaron Gordon.
The roster changes seem to have put Aaron Gordon firmly in the crosshairs of opportunity and perhaps sacrifice. After playing most of his time last year as a power forward, the Magic seemingly will start him at small forward this year. A major change in role seems very likely.
There are some questions as to whether he can take on the role.
Gordon though does not seem worried about these questions. Hanging around Gordon, it is easy to see he is a positive guy. He is extremely confident in his ability and his potential. Talking to him there seems to be nothing he cannot accomplish.
And, as one of the key players on the Magic, he seems completely bought in with the changes the Magic have made and their fast-paced, defensive-focused team. He joined His and Hers on ESPN to discuss the changes the Magic have made.
"“I’m super excited, incredibly excited,” Gordon said. “We’re going to be a tenacious defensive team. With Bismack and Serge, those are just two dogs who play with their part. It is going to allow me to pressure up on the perimeter, guarding the perimeter players. If they happen to go by me, I’m going to have two guys behind me who can block the shot. Having Jeff Green and those guys is going to make our practices more competitive, it’s going to translate over to the court and we’re going to be a better team.”"
This is a very strong point. The Magic had a summer that confused a lot of observers and outsiders. There is a lot of talent on the roster, but not necessarily a clear way to use them all effectively. Gordon himself is still a very uncertain player.
But undoubtedly the ability to have a better backstop on defense allows the Magic to put more pressure on the perimeter. That is a way to unleash Gordon a bit more on that end of the floor.
Unleashing Gordon is going to be an interesting development and part of what his new role will be. The defensive potential is something the Magic look to continue to grow. How Vogel plans to use him is very much as that versatile player who can play defense anywhere and do a lot of different things offensively.
Gordon joined a special edition of Magic Drive Time earlier this week and discussed his future role:
"“Yeah, I’ve talked to coach Vogel a couple of times. He sent me a clip of me rebounding the ball and pushing it to start the transitory break. So, he’s looking for me to be some type of point forward. And it’s really good. It’s really good. He believes in us. He gives us the confidence. He’s a confident individual himself. He’s a very nice guy. He’s very funny. He’s really exuberant. Me and him, we gel pretty well thus far. With Rob Hennigan and Scott Perry making the moves that they’re making alongside of it, we’re going to be a very, very dangerous team this year.”"
That is quite a vision of Gordon going full court and running some point guard, even with Elfrid Payton around.
Gordon added on His and Hers the team is going to run and create turnovers off their defense. At the very least, Orlando is going to make opponents work.
Questions still remain and Gordon is a big part of those questions. Despite all the attention and accolades, he averaged only 9.2 points per game and posted a 50.9 percent effective field goal percentage. He grabbed 6.5 rebounds per game and dished out 1.6 assists per game. It was clear he was still figuring his way around.
But Gordon, more than anyone on the roster, has the most upside and potential to be great. Injuries have hampered him early on in his career — a foot injury early in his rookie season and a jaw injury last summer — and a healthy summer was paramount for him. He will join the USA Select Team to help the Olympic team train in Las Vegas beginning this weekend.
All that would point to Gordon taking a major step up. And Gordon recognizes this is the next step for him, his career and his team.
Next: OMD Mailbag: Let's talk free agency
One thing though rings true, Gordon is very excited about the team and its direction. With him, there is no doubt about how the team has improved and what they will be able to do to lift each other up this season.