Orlando Magic Daily
Fansided

Orlando Magic Year in Review: Top 10 games of 2016

By Philip Rossman-Reich

Mar 7, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Orlando Magic forward Aaron Gordon (00) high fives guard Brandon Jennings (55) after a play against the Golden State Warriors during the fourth quarter at Oracle Arena. The Golden State Warriors defeated the Orlando Magic 119-113. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 7, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Orlando Magic forward Aaron Gordon (00) high fives guard Brandon Jennings (55) after a play against the Golden State Warriors during the fourth quarter at Oracle Arena. The Golden State Warriors defeated the Orlando Magic 119-113. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
11 of 11
Next
Feb 13, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Orlando Magic forward Aaron Gordon competes during the dunk contest during the NBA All Star Saturday Night at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 13, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Orlando Magic forward Aaron Gordon competes during the dunk contest during the NBA All Star Saturday Night at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /

February 13, 2016

This is not technically a game, but the 2016 Slam Dunk Contest was clearly the highlight and best moment of the calendar year for the Orlando Magic.

Aaron Gordon always had the promise of some extremely athletic feats. Every game it seemed he was showing them off more and more. It was just a matter of getting him into the contest to see what he could do.

After Zach LaVine defeated Victor Oladipo in the 2015 version of the contest, it seemed like there was no one who could top LaVine.

Then Gordon strolled onto the court in a tearaway suit swinging a cane. He quickly stole the show with one hair-raising, awe-inducing feat after another.

LaVine had the grace and flight, going from the free throw line with different variations. Gordon was power and athleticism and creativity.

The timing to grab the ball with one hand from STUFF while the mascot rotated on a hoverboard and then spin 180 for a dunk was astounding. To do the horizontal “sit-down” dunk while jumping over STUFF also incredible. Even his final dunk, where he put the ball behind his head, between his legs and then in all while floating through the air, was astounding.

Gordon established himself as the premiere athlete in the league. He became known as a dunker — not that he was not already — and gained some new confidence.

The consensus around the league was Gordon won the contest, if not deserved to split the trophy with LaVine. Everyone in Toronto and around the world just wanted the two to keep dunking.

And everyone is curious if Gordon will be up for an encore in New Orleans.

Next: Orlando Magic 2016 Year in Review: A year of transition

What are your favorite games and memories of the 2016 calendar year? Share them with us in the comments below or on Twitter @omagicdaily or by using #Magic2016!