Aaron Gordon has been a bundle of energy in his short rookie campaign He now gets his first start at a time when the Magic need his defense and energy.
The Orlando Magic need some defensive punch in their lineup right now. They may very well get it from the tip.
Jacque Vaughn said prior to Sunday’s game against the Indiana Pacers that Aaron Gordon will earn his first career start. The fourth overall pick has played the last three games after missing nearly three months with a left foot fracture.
But even in his limited minutes — no more than 12 minutes in his first two game sand 13 against the Knicks on Friday — Gordon’s impact has been evident. The 19-year-old rookie is a bundle of energy and he pushes his team to a higher height.
All that weighed in on Vaughn’s decision to start him Sunday.
“I just think overall, not that Devyn hasn’t done great things for us and Devyn will be active and continue to do great things for us, to start at the three and give us some defensive prowess from Aaron,” Jacque Vaughn said. “His attention to detail will help that group out for sure.”
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Vaughn said Gordon’s minutes will still be monitored some, but he should receive more minutes than he had in the previous three games. Vaughn has taken the slow approach with the young forward, hoping not to overwhelm the youngest player in the league.
The defensive implications though do stand out.
The Magic have posted a 101.6 defensive rating with Gordon on the floor the last three games. The team has posted a 115.8 defensive rating in that same time span. That is not to suggest Gordon is the only reason for a defensive improvement — after all, he was likely playing against bench players — but it does suggest Gordon could have a positive defensive influence.
The Magic drafted him more for his defensive potential and athleticism than anything else. And so the Magic are hoping to have him set the tone for the team from the beginning.
“ has to be a priority,” Vaughn said. “That you care just about as much on the defensive end as you do the offensive end. And you take each possession that way. You don’t take psosessions for granted. That’s what we’re searching for.
There is some wariness coming from the Pacers locker room too. Pacers coach Frank Vogel took notice of Vaughn challenging his team. He expects a heightened level of intensity from Orlando.
Even in 14 short games, it has become clear exactly what Gordon can bring — energy, tenacity, defensive mindedness and athleticism.
Vogel expects him to fit perfectly into what the Magic are trying to do in this fast-break offense and to be a handful for his Pacers.
“Just incredible energy on both ends of the court,” Vogel said of the rookie forward. “And the way he changes ends. They are trying to play faster and he is one of those guys that changes ends as well as anybody on the team. Making recovery plays on the defensive end, bringing that athleticism, shot-blocking and containment. But also once they get the ball, he’s out of the gates and helping their running game. That’s probably the biggest reason they are moving him to the starting lineup.”
The switch to Gordon is a sign of the desire to increase the intensity on the defensive end from the Magic and bring more energy from the start. Gordon has done all those things Vogel mentioned in his three games back. He has gotten down the floor quickly for fast-break finishes. He has contested and blocked shots on the perimeter and he has done good things defensively.
That is what the Magic want from Gordon as he continues to acclimate to the NBA.
Even from a player as young as Gordon, Vaughn is sending a clear message by inserting a player who sacrifices his stats and offense for the better of the team.
“I think when he steps on the floor, I think his priority is to play well for the team,” Vaughn said. “Whatever needs to be done for the team, that’s what he is willing to do.”