Aaron Gordon is certainly a rising star

Aaron Gordon will make a name for himself in the NBA. Maybe not now, but it’s getting closer. His post-All-Star Break play shows a player blossoming.

Ever since the high-flying, jaw-dropping dunks he performed at this year’s Verizon Slam Dunk Contest, Aaron Gordon has been getting some attention to say the least. Gordon is also now the starting power forward on the Magic, and has improved every aspect of his game.

Still, is it right to say Aaron Gordon will be an All-Star? Can he grow to that level?

This season overall, he has averaged 8.8 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 0.7 blocks a game. Those numbers have changed since the All-Star Break. His post All-Star Break stats include 12.5 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 1.3 steals a game in 15 games played. Gordon has been a starter for Orlando’s squad for 26 games so far, so it s very likely that is how it will stay for the rest of the season.

Coming into the league, he was praised for his athleticism and defense. He still has it, but has also added a decent shooting touch and rebounds better.

He has also slowed his game down to make more mature, efficient plays on the court.  He is picking his spots to attack and having the confidence to attack more.

“He’s much more consistent now,” coach Scott Skiles said. “He’s able to not have a great game at Dallas and he was able to respond last night [March 2 win over the Chicago Bulls]. He’s not having, like a lot of young players, poor game after poor game. He’s not letting things slide. If he has had a game that is not up to his standard, he has been able to respond the next night and have a good one.”

Take his first quarter against the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday. He scored 12 of his 16 points in the first quarter and did so with aggressive dribble moves to set up his shot. It was aggressive, but not disruptive to the offense.

And he was making those shots too. The confidence in his jumper and to do more aside from crash the glass and slash to the rim has grown.

Is he a finished product though? Obviously, not yet.

“The dunk contest was a little jumpstart, a little catapult,” Victor Oladipo said. “Aaron has been getting better for a long time now. He’s just got to continue to develop. I’ve been telling people a long time ago, his athleticism is scary. But the fact he is getting better in every other aspect just shows how good he can be. I’m looking forward to seeing that throughout the years.”

His free throw shooting could use some work, as he shoots only 66.7 percent from the line. Gordon also is inconsistent, but at only 20 years old, that is not anything to get too worried over.

The lingering thing with Gordon was his potential. It was more a “could be,” than a “will be.” Now, it seems more and more likely he will reach his ceiling.

What exactly is that ceiling looking like?

Blake Griffin comparisons should be out the window. Gordon is going to be something to behold, but not on the Griffin level. But he will not fizzle out and lose his potential like Kenneth Faried.

Regardless of what he can become, Gordon has already proven himself a valuable rotation player.

“We think he’s a skilled guy,” Scott Skiles said. “We don’t look at him as an unskilled guy for sure. A lot of it right now is more on the potential side rather than what’s happening. He’s got to keep developing. The way he is playing right now, he will get better. But if he never got any better, he’s a very valuable player.”

In the long term, Gordon can be something in the middle, like Shawn Marion.

Shawn Marion was a four time All Star, so this is a strong, reasonable comparison for Gordon. Marion could shoot the ball sharp though, so maybe Gordon will not be the shooter he was. But both players are alike with their defense, athletic abilities and versatility.

As long as Gordon keeps his work ethic up (he still has not had a fully healthy summer while in the NBA), and Scott Skiles gives him well-deserved minutes, he can reach his maximum potential.

Who knows? He could become the best player in Orlando, and run as the franchise face. Time will tell. Lucky for Gordon, he has plenty of time to prove himself.

His growth and development though is not much of a surprise to those who have watched him throughout the year.

“He is a very athletic person,” Elfrid Payton said. “He’s been dunking like that all season. We weren’t surprised.

“He was playing well going into the break. Ever since he has been starting. Whenever he has come in he has contributed to us. It has nothing to do with the slam dunk contest.”

Next: Aaron Gordon putting NBA on notice

Philip Rossman-Reich contributed to this report.