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Orlando Magic Daily Roundtable: Rounding out the offseason

By Philip Rossman-Reich

TARRYTOWN, NY - AUGUST 12: Devonte Graham #4 of the Charlotte Hornets, Mo Bamba #5 of the Orlando Magic and Trae Young #11 of the Atlanta Hawks pose for a photo during the 2018 NBA Rookie Shoot on August 12, 2018 at the Madison Square Garden Training Center in Tarrytown, New York. 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 Michelle Farsi/NBAE via Getty Images)
TARRYTOWN, NY - AUGUST 12: Devonte Graham #4 of the Charlotte Hornets, Mo Bamba #5 of the Orlando Magic and Trae Young #11 of the Atlanta Hawks pose for a photo during the 2018 NBA Rookie Shoot on August 12, 2018 at the Madison Square Garden Training Center in Tarrytown, New York. 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 Michelle Farsi/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Aaron Gordon, Orlando Magic
Aaron Gordon, Orlando Magic /

Aaron Gordon was spotted playing pick up with Kevin Durant last week. Did anything impress you in that video? What do you want to see Aaron Gordon improve the most this week?

Henderson: While most of the pull-up jumpers that were contested by Kevin Durant impressed me in the pick-up game, I was more impressed with the confidence he had to take those types of shots. I mean it almost looked as if he was looking to score any time Durant was on him. And my goodness, I think we can stop the debate on who is the best player in the NBA, I like LeBron James but Kevin Durant has taken the torch. I would like to see Gordon improve on his ball handling skills and his ability to draw fouls at the basket. If he can perfect his ability to draw fouls he will get more opportunities at the line to open up his game after he sees the ball go through the hoop.

Rossman-Reich: I am always going to be skeptical of highly edited summer videos of pick-up games. It kind of looked like the defense was being played a little loose — maybe you make that first stop but give in that second move. But there were a few things that were interesting. Gordon’s handles looked a lot tighter and that bodes well for him possibly looking to attack off the dribble more. That was a point of struggle for him throughout last season. It seems he has worked on that part of his game some. But a pick-up game is probably not the time to over-analyze things.

Racine: I was impressed with his handle and his ability to create. I was not impressed with his defense against Kevin Durant. I do not want to see him drop off defensively next year as he continues to work on his offensive game. I would like to see him handle the ball more and create offense for his teammates next season.