2019 Orlando Magic Player Outlook: Aaron Gordon

3 of 5

TORONTO, ON – APRIL 8: Aaron Gordon #00 of the Orlando Magic dribbles the ball during the first half of an NBA game against the Toronto Raptors at Air Canada Centre on April 8, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. 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. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /

What Could Go Wrong

There were two Aaron Gordon’s last year. And looking at the raw numbers might lead someone to believe that there was not much of a difference between the two. That is why raw per game numbers are not the best measure for how well or poorly a player is performing. That is the increasing understanding of using and breaking these numbers down.

Gordon averaged around 16-18 points per game at each phase of last year. But at the beginning of the year, he was forcing a lot less of his play and playing much more naturally. At the end of the year, he was forcing things and playing like a player searching for his stats.

That is an unfair characterization, of course. Gordon was trying to assert himself more on a team full of injuries. And young players have to be willing to experiment with their game. Especially when the games do no matter.

So many great players have gone through the kind of experimentation Gordon went through last year. Gordon was forcing shots. He saw big games — like his 4-for-18 performance against Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks in early January — as a chance to shine himself, rather than letting the offense naturally flow to him.

Coach Frank Vogel was right in his analysis of Aaron Gordon’s best individual games last year, he was always best when he played within the flow of the offense. It was when Gordon disrupted that flow to hunt for his shot or take tough, contested mid-range jumpers that he got himself into trouble.

Some of that is Gordon needing to learn how to be the guy at the top of every scouting report. Some of that is Gordon needing to learn what a good shot is and when to attack. It was all a learning process.

But if he has not learned these things, Gordon quickly could become an albatross. Someone who thinks he is a better player than he is and takes the ball and development opportunities away from others.

Orlando is a team that can afford Gordon the chance to explore and expand his game and to make these mistakes for now. But it is important for Gordon to show progression as a scorer and as a playmaker for others. Especially if the team plans to rely on him heavily.