Aaron Gordon and the Orlando Magic are finally having fun

Aaron Gordon as a mesh of athleticism had the potential to be so much fun. In the Orlando Magic’s new style, Gordon finally gets unleashed.

It was a tense moment for the Orlando Magic late against the Brooklyn Nets. They had seemingly ruined their sometimes frantic comeback from 12 points down thanks to some boneheaded plays — a foul on a 3-point shooter and a steal after securing a rebound. That quick 5-0 run put the Nets up one.

Maybe some of those same frustrations that had held the Magic back for so long were springing up once again. Maybe this is the same Magic team as before and so many times.

Especially when the initial play with less than a minute to go in the game broke down, panic might seem to get induced. Evan Fournier and Nikola Vucevic initially tried to run a pick and roll. As Evan Fournier drove to the lane, he slipped, taking his defender down with him. He somehow got the ball back out to Nikola Vucevic.

Vucevic drove the lane, sensing the slow-footed Trevor Booker on him. The Magic needed to create something.

That is when Aaron Gordon sprung to action. He flashed to the elbow, perhaps crowding Vucevic’s drive but making himself available to the big man to dish the ball. Vucevic still came toward him. Suddenly Gordon’s man was drawn into Vucevic.

That was the mistake. And the confidence Gordon had built in the game to that point — and all the confidence he had built from a summer of work (a healthy summer, finally!) — finally got to come through in the biggest moment.

Seeing Vucevic drive toward the space Gordon was at, Gordon overlapped out to the 3-point line. There the career 29.0 percent 3-point shooter did what he had done four times previous that game — he took the 3-pointer without hesitation. And it went in without a doubt.

Gordon’s 3-pointer gave the Magic a two-point lead late and sent an antsy Amway Center crowd into hysterics. Orlando was not just looking like a flash in the pan. And even if the wins may not come at this rate — three in four games! — at least there was something to watch and enjoy.

All of it was encapsulated in Aaron Gordon’s career game — 41 points, 14 rebounds, 14-for-18 shooting and 5-for-5 shooting from beyond the arc. Aaron Gordon and the Magic are having fun again.

"“It’s a basketball game at the end of the day,” Gordon said. “I’m living it. It’s a lot of fun. The fans, I have great teammates, a great coaching staff, it’s heaven out there.“We owed Brooklyn. We went there and got the loss. That’s where my mind is at. Just having fun and getting the win. Establishing ourselves as contenders.”"

It is hard to argue that Gordon was not having fun out there. This was not a Gordon forcing his offense or trying to be something he was not. Sure, he had a couple of awkward post ups where Gordon tried to be “the man.” And maybe he could have asserted himself a little better — especially after dropping 36 points through three quarters.

Gordon is still 22 and has a lot of maturing in his game to go.

Orlando seemed to really kick their comeback into high gear when Gordon started asserting himself more. Gordon is still figuring out how to pick his spots. And the Magic are certainly still trying to figure out how best to use him overall or keep him involved.

Especially since he seems to have figure out his 3-point shot.

Most of Gordon’s offense seemingly came within the flow of the offense or in transition. He took the ball on reversals and drained the 3-pointer as the defense left him open. He flew to the basket in transition, displaying that trademark athleticism.

And when he did get the ball in the post, he smartly got the ball on the rim and anticipated where it would come off to get the putback. Two of his misses, at least, he grabbed the offensive rebound and slammed it back in.

This kind of energetic play was emblematic of the kind of play the Magic want. When Gordon is flying through the lane with his athleticism and playing at this high level, the Magic are playing well.

It is. . . well, fun.

No one on the roster wants to get too far ahead of themselves. Fournier was quick to point out the team got off to a fast start two years ago and had the worst January in the league, quickly falling out of the Playoff race.

The team still has 74 games to go. No matter how positive the signs for the Magic — or for Gordon, playing in just his second game this year — everyone know the team has a long way to go.

But the way the team has played has engendered plenty of confidence. There are examples all over the roster. But a lot of it starts with Gordon or results in Gordon shining.

He is an “improved” shooter and someone the Magic have confidence in. But his career night showed just how much he can elevate his teammates and just the kind of weapon he is.

"“I don’t think he played all that much different than who he is,” Vogel said. “He gives 110 percent, he guards, he works hard on the defensive end, he rebounds and he plays hard offensively by running the floor and making things happen opportunistically. The difference is in his shot making, from deep and from all over the floor. All that stuff is improved. And he is playing with a lot of confidence. That was a big reason for the win, obviously.”"

Vogel said it was evident from the first day of training camp Gordon had improved his overall game. His hard work was paying off.

Gordon plays with a freedom when the team is having fun like this. And he finally has the skill to create some of it beyond his high-flying dunks.

But that is part of what makes Gordon great. He is the bouncy athlete who needs a style and an aura to display that athleticism. The loose atmosphere of the All-Star Break seemed to bring out the best in Gordon and his personality. It made him a star in the making at the Dunk Contest.

Orlando Magic

Rarely has that shown itself on the court of a regular game. The Magic’s organizational instability always hampered him. And Gordon was one to go with the flow. He always seemed to do whatever his coaches asked him with a smile.

Yet, Gordon was still the one who could get a rise out of everyone. He was the one who could seemingly take the team to another stratosphere and lift them up. Orlando was just waiting for that elevation to come.

"“His shot looks real good, he had a huge one down the stretch. He saved us on that last play. That’s for sure. But you know I’m really happy for Aaron, big-time 41 points. After working on his shot so much, to see the ball go in must feel good for him.”"

Finally, it seems like Gordon’s work is paying off. And it seems like he is in a style that best suits his play. A style that creates space for him and gets him out in transition. It seems like he is playing to his strengths.

And when Gordon is allowed to fly . . . everyone knows the results. The familiarity with the roster and with the system and the coaches finally seems to be coming together for this team.

Another instructive lesson from Gordon — he always seems grounded. Gordon is not one to beat his chest after a win or extoll himself after a big performance.

Gordon simply believes he is doing what the coaches ask him and believes he is playing within himself. Now that he has added so many new elements to his game, it is hard not to see that growth and feel confident in him.

"“Regardless of the numbers that I shot, I’m going to shoot my shot,” Gordon said. “I feel that I’m open and I’m in rhythm. Whatever happens after that is out of my control. I’m going to take what I know I can do.”"

With Gordon feeling this confident and attacking with this much speed and aggression, he is finally becoming what the Magic always imagined of him.

Next: Grades: Orlando Magic 125, Brooklyn Nets 121

And that is really fun to watch.