The 2017 Orlando Magic would have a great squad for NBA Jam. Great defense, some 3-point shooting and Aaron Gordon. Lots and lots of Aaron Gordon.
NBA Jam has withstood the test of time. It still is considered one of the best basketball video games of all time. The arcade-style of play is one that every fan can enjoy. No worrying about salary cap or where you land in the draft. Just turn the game on and prepare to have a ton of fun.
I remember my brother, (who could not name more than 10 basketball players) came home from school one day to tell me he won an NBA Jam tournament at school. He was explaining to me how he decided to go with my team, the Orlando Magic. He described how he was throwing down massive dunks with Shaquille O’Neal and nobody could stop him.
To this day, this was the only conversation about basketball I have ever had with him. It just shows how special NBA Jam could be. Anyone can enjoy its greatness.
Now, what would NBA Jam look like today?
Well, I can tell you that picking a duo from the Golden State Warriors would be near impossible — and nearly impossible to stop. LeBron James would be absolutely unstoppable and the Minnesota Timberwolves would be my go-to squad.
What about the Orlando Magic? Well, with all of the roster moves they made in the offseason, let’s first breakdown some candidates.
Before I move on, I will be following Philip Rossman-Reich’s formula that he used last season.
Three players will be selected for my 2017 Orlando Magic team just like the original NBA Jam Tournament Edition.
There is a long list of players that make my initial cut. Serge Ibaka, Aaron Gordon, Mario Hezonja, Elfrid Payton, Evan Fournier and Nikola Vucevic.
The initial cuts are going to be Vucevic and Payton.
I do not need two front-court players, and Ibaka can shoot threes and block shots. Plus, Vucevic’s defensive ratings are probably going to be bad for a center. Payton is a guard that lacks an outside shot which really limits his game. Payton simply does not fit the gameplan.
The final cut is Evan Fournier. It is really not Fournier’s fault. Hezonja just has the court vision and flashy play that is perfect for NBA Jam. Fournier is solid on both sides of the court but his passing skills are not great and if he is going to be the guard, problems can arise.
Leaving Gordon, Hezonja and Ibaka as my final NBA Jam Orlando team.
First of all, Aaron Gordon’s dunking ability would be absolutely insane. There is nothing more you can say about what Gordon would be like in that game. He would be hands down one of the best players in the game.
The next player on my final squad is Serge Ibaka.
Ibaka is probably the best player on the Orlando Magic right now and would definitely have a spot on the NBA Jam roster. Ibaka would be a premier shot blocker and provides a good punch on the offensive end. Ibaka can hit 3-pointers, and he did appear in the Slam Dunk contest back in 2011.
The last member of the squad is Mario Hezonja. Some would have considered him a dark horse to make the team, but his skills as a passer and shooter set him apart. Hezonja plays with swagger on the court and that is exactly what an NBA Jam player needs!
Now, is the hard part. The two players would start and be the go-to duo. I think Aaron Gordon is a lock.
UpsideMotor.com‘s Chris Reichert created some fantasy NBA jam duos with players under the age of 22. He created the combo of Gordon and Zach Lavine.
Here is what Reichert had to say about Gordon and the combo:
"Honestly, do I need to explain these selections? Zach “I float through the air like Mary Poppins” LaVine and Aaron “I literally took a seat in the air” Gordon were obvious choices for an NBA Jam themed duo.Gordon easily becomes the modern day Shawn Kemp just embarrassing anyone and everyone including KAT, Porzingis and yes even Antetokounmpo. He clearly followed Kevin Durant’s footsteps as part of the “if you can’t beat em, join em” club and the result will be world domination."
With Gordon being a sure bet to be a starter. The battle is now between Hezonja and Ibaka.
Although it is tough decision, especially being a huge Hezonja fan, Ibaka is going to get the nod. Ibaka is a better defender and can shoot from the outside. Plus he is really, really good at blocking shots. A Hezonja-Gordon combo is enticing but defensively those two leave a lot to be desired.
The team will revolve around the team’s ability to throw down jams and play some stout defense. That is exactly what a team needs in the video game. They may not have the star power of other teams, but their athleticism makes them a serious threat.
Next: What is next for Mario Hezonja and Aaron Gordon
Orlando has a roster that is pretty well-suited for NBA Jam.