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Orlando Magic 2017 Season Review: Top 10 Games of 2017

By Philip Rossman-Reich

Jan 14, 2017; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Orlando Magic guard Jodie Meeks (20) reacts during a timeout in the second quarter against the Utah Jazz at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 14, 2017; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Orlando Magic guard Jodie Meeks (20) reacts during a timeout in the second quarter against the Utah Jazz at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports /
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Aaron Gordon, Orlando Magic, James Harden, Houston Rockets
Jan 6, 2017; Orlando, FL, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) drives to the basket as Orlando Magic forward Aaron Gordon (00) defends during the first quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

January 6, 2017

38. 100. 169. Final. 93

Aaron Gordon is the great hope for the Orlando Magic moving forward. He is the draft pick that seems about ready to burst out and become a star. At least, he is the Magic’s best chance at a star.

His move to small forward this year had numerous hiccups. It was an experiment the Magic should have run when they did not have the winning pressure they faced this year. The season proved Gordon is best at power forward in the long run. That is where he fits the most offensively.

There was one saving grace for Gordon, and it was shown in the 100-93 loss to the Houston Rockets in January. Gordon can be one of the best perimeter defenders in the league. The job he did on MVP candidate James Harden in this game was simply astounding.

Harden ended up scoring just 14 points on 5-for-15 shooting. He had 10 assists still, but that was against six turnovers. Gordon locked Harden down, staying disciplined without reaching or drawing too many fouls. Harden shot only six free throws and missed all eight of his 3-pointers.

The Magic kept themselves in the game largely because of this defensive effort, cutting off the head of the snake for the Rockets.

This was a game that showed all of Gordon’s potential on the defensive end. And just why the Magic remained hopeful he could make a shift to the perimeter. Gordon matched his defense with 18 points, six rebounds and seven assists.

"With the Houston Rockets in town and the challenge of guarding that monstrous offense, the Magic were going to turn to Gordon to cut the head off the snake. Coach Frank Vogel said before the game Gordon was the player he trusted with these primary defensive assignments. It is not something Gordon takes lightly. And that might be the most impressive thing from the 21-year-old Gordon. He does not care for the spotlight that comes from having these marquee assignments — the Magic literally matched him minute for minute on James Harden — he views it as a responsibility."

The Rockets pulled ahead at the end, though. Ryan Anderson got away from Orlando a few times in the third quarter, burying five 3-pointers to help Houston seize control and eventually pull away.

The silver lining was Aaron Gordon, as it seemed to be so often this season. And this was one of Gordon’s finest all-around games. The kind of game that really made you believe Gordon could do so much no matter where the Magic put him on the floor.