Orlando Magic Daily
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Top 5 NBA Jam duos for the 2018 Orlando Magic

By Philip Rossman-Reich

ORLANDO, FL - DECEMBER 16: Aaron Gordon #00 of the Orlando Magic goes to the basket against the Charlotte Hornets on December 16, 2015 at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2015 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL - DECEMBER 16: Aaron Gordon #00 of the Orlando Magic goes to the basket against the Charlotte Hornets on December 16, 2015 at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2015 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Aaron Gordon, Orlando Magic
ORLANDO, FL – DECEMBER 14: Aaron Gordon #00 of the Orlando Magic goes for the lay up during the game against the Los Angeles Clippers on December 14, 2016 at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida Or. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) /

1. Aaron Gordon & Evan Fournier

Ultimately, when it comes to NBA JAM duos, I still think the best way to go with a team is to have one guard who can shoot and one big who can defend the rim and dunk the ball. I think that provides the best balance of players to take advantage of the game’s emphases and strategy.

That Scott Skiles/Shaquille O’Neal pairing in the original game is just about perfect (Skiles could be a better 3-point shooter, I suppose).

With the NBA going to more versatility, the modern NBA seems like it would fit the NBA JAM style a whole lot more. Having a player like Giannis Antetokounmpo fill that big role make me want to faint. It would just be fun.

So the Magic’s best NBA JAM lineup to me fits that mold. Go with a shooter (Evan Fournier) along with the team’s most versatile do-it-all big (Aaron Gordon). It provides the balance of the team’s best 3-point shooter and its best dunker.

That is all anyone could ask for when it comes to a NBA JAM team.

Is this team perfect? No.

Just like the Magic’s roster, there are clear flaws. It would be nicer if Fournier were a better passer just as it would be better for Gordon to be a better shooter. It seems like every single one of these lineups has that kind of flaw. But that is reflective of the larger flaws on the Magic roster.

That is probably why the Magic would not make for a good NBA JAM team — or probably a great NBA2K team.

Next: Orlando Magic seeking a face to the franchise

This is their best crew — or certainly among their best crew — for this two on two game. It provides the balance of shooting and dunking needed to succeed in NBA JAM.