Value of Magic’s Aaron Gordon Seen as Kawhi Leonard Slow Cooks Magic

Jan 26, 2015; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies forward Jeff Green (32) dribbles the ball as Orlando Magic forward Aaron Gordon (00) defends during the first quarter at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 26, 2015; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies forward Jeff Green (32) dribbles the ball as Orlando Magic forward Aaron Gordon (00) defends during the first quarter at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports /
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Aaron Gordon, Orlando Magic, Jeff Green, Memphis Grizzlies
Jan 26, 2015; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies forward Jeff Green (32) dribbles the ball as Orlando Magic forward Aaron Gordon (00) defends during the first quarter at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports /

Silver Linings aren’t that fun when we hunt for them seemingly every game.

It is (really, really) hard to keep finding these pale silver linings in losses, but there is this: The Magic easily covered the 12.5-point spread, and, while losing by seven is still a loss, Orlando outperformed expectations tonight and nearly won a big one on the road.

Yeah, that is not much consolation is it?  My bad.

Orlando’s unselfish ball movement and pure effort accounted for staying in this one, and eventually we have to figure this is going to start resulting in some wins.

There is really no other stance the Magic’s faithful can maintain, with the team so overmatched against the likes of the Spurs whose second unit gracefully extended the Spurs’ lead through the second quarter especially, helping the Spurs claim a 35-30 lead by the mid-quarter timeout. That edge was more or less maintained the remainder of the game.

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The Spurs combated each Magic run with one of their own. But Orlando’s great start and persistent efforts kept this game close and San Antonio never really opened up a huge lead, despite a huge second quarter. The Spurs led 91-84 at the 7:19 mark of the fourth quarter due to Ginobili and Belinelli hitting back-to-back threes, but the lead would grow no bigger since Willie Green answered it back with two threes of his own.

Green seems to offer the extra ball handling and composure to take pressure off of Payton when they play together, but Oladipo has to be on the court. It is obvious this small ball was a one night thing, since Aaron Gordon gives the Magic the size and defense it needs at the small forward position. Orlando sure could have used his services to contain Leonard.

Elfrid Payton kept his composure well and did a great job of looking to score more.  He had six of Orlando’s first nine points and did not really force anything the entire game. Payton finished with 14 points, nine assists and six boards. He never looked under-matched against Tony Parker, and other than having to leave Parker on ball rotations (resulting in threes), Payton essentially outplayed Parker. It should be interesting to see if anyone round the league even  noticed.

It is not often that an 18-point-game performance looks dominant, but combined with vintage Duncan, it was too much again for the Magic. That is 10 straight losses.

Next: Magic competing, now how do they win?