Orlando Magic Daily
Fansided

The Orlando Magic failed to answer their questions for the second quarter

By Philip Rossman-Reich

CHICAGO, USA - DECEMBER 20: Nikola Vucevic (9) of Orlando Magic in action during an NBA basketball match between Chicago Bulls and Orlando Magic at United Center in Chicago, Illinois, United States on December 20, 2017. (Photo by Bilgin S. Sasmaz/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, USA - DECEMBER 20: Nikola Vucevic (9) of Orlando Magic in action during an NBA basketball match between Chicago Bulls and Orlando Magic at United Center in Chicago, Illinois, United States on December 20, 2017. (Photo by Bilgin S. Sasmaz/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images) /
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Aaron Gordon, Orlando Magic, Kevin Love, Cleveland Cavaliers
ORLANDO, FL – JANUARY 6: Aaron Gordon #00 of the Orlando Magic dunks against the Cleveland Cavaliers on January 6, 2018 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) /

How much more responsibility will Aaron Gordon receive?

If there was one thing that got definitively shown in the second quarter of the season, it was Aaron Gordon’s emergence. And now that the season has become more about the future, the rest of the season is very much about Gordon and his development.

I dug in more to Gordon’s second quarter of the season when I named him the team’s Second Quarter MVP. That mark was very deserved.

He averaged 21.7 points per game in the second quarter of the season, shooting 45.6 percent from the floor and 33.3 percent from beyond the arc. He definitely started to come back down to earth with his shooting. But it was clear he was more comfortable and assertive trying to score.

His usage rate followed. Gordon posted a 20.6 percent usage rate in the first quarter of the season, averaging 12.2 field goal attempts per game. In the second quarter, he had a 26.3 percent usage rate and 17.5 field goal attempts per game.

The next step for Gordon is learning how to deal with the extra attention he now receives as one of the team’s best players. And then becoming more efficient with his shot selection and when he attacks.

It is a fair criticism of Gordon that he tries too hard to attack and “play the star” as it were. He forces his drives at times. He does not always play with the pass.

But those are natural errors a budding star makes.the rest of this season for him and the Magic will be spent learning those lessons and helping Gordon grow more as a player.

The answer to this question was Gordon can take on a lot more responsibility. He can become this team’s budding star.