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5 things the Orlando Magic can accomplish in final five games

By Philip Rossman-Reich

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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Aaron Gordon, Andrew Nicholson, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Orlando Magic, Milwaukee Bucks
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 /

2. Get Aaron Gordon some playing time

Aaron Gordon has had a rough season.

He was just getting into a rhythm when his season was derailed by a foot injury. He said resting it was the right idea, but there is no doubt that it has taken him a long, long time to get back into rhythm. It was only a few weeks ago that he said he felt completely healthy.

So the youngest rookie in the NBA is behind the 8-ball, just getting into the rhythm of the season in early April and the season is about to run out on him.

There seems no sense in holding Gordon back now. And Gordon is earning his minutes and earning his opportunity for crunch time minutes.

Right now, it is very hard to quantify exactly how Gordon is playing. His impact is largely on the defensive end. There are still hiccups going on there — he was good against Andrew Wiggins, but tended to foul him a lot too — but his performance against Giannis Antetokounmpo was absolutely solid, showing the potential he has.

It is time for Gordon to get his chance. And get him hungry for a summer of hard work on his offensive game so he can be a bigger contributor next season.

Next: Who is Moe Harkless and Andrew Nicholson?