Orlando Magic Daily Mailbag Volume 11: New beginnings

Who is the most important player?

From Partindiocious, Orlando:

"Pretend nobody gets seriously hurt (say, missing more than 20 games or so). Who’s our best player by the end of this season? My pick is Aaron Gordon, who I also think is by far our most important player. I think he makes a big leap this year, but if he doesn’t turn into a legit league-wide #1 guy? Even assuming notable improvement from the other core guys, that leaves us at fringe-playoffs at best. Fingers crossed!"

Assuming everyone is healthy, I think Victor Oladipo is the best player on the team. Oladipo has that energy about him and is a playmaker for his teammates who can score. When his jumper is on and he can get out in transition and a little bit of steam coming behind him, there may not be a player in the league who can stop him.

Now, Oladipo still has a long way to go. He has to prove he is consistent as an offensive player and that he can fit into the new defensive scheme. Oladipo has only shown flashes in the pan, but so has everyone else on this team. His ability to grow is a big key to the Magic’s continued growth.

But I see a lot of potential in Oladipo. I think he has that ability both to score for himself and create for others. His time as a point guard made him a better distributor. Unlike Tobias Harris, he drives and sucks the defense in to pass. Harris is still learning that skill. Oladipo had his turnovers drop from 3.2 per game to 2.8 per game. Not a huge drop, but it trended in the right direction — his turnover rate dropped from 19.2 percent to 14.3 percent.

Oladipo is the player I would be hitching my wagon so to speak as the team’s potential superstar.

Having said that, for this year, I believe Aaron Gordon is the team’s most important player. He is the one who could make this team really fit together so much better.

The Magic lack a power forward and he has the versatility to play that position while working on the perimeter of the offense. Especially if his 3-point shot has come along like we anticipate from Summer League.

There is a lot of consternation over who grabs that last starting spot. Gordon is the guy that seems to make the puzzle fit. Especially if he improves and becomes the versatile defender and servcieable offensive player.

To say he is the best player on the team right now is taking too much of a leap for me. Especially as he works his way back from the injury. But he certainly will play a very big role.

Next: Aaron Gordon's role