Don’t forget about Aaron Gordon in Orlando Magic’s success

Nikola Vucevic is rightly getting many of the accolades for the Orlando Magic’s fast start. Do not forget about Aaron Gordon and the boost he has provided.

Aaron Gordon has sunk to the background a bit this season as the Orlando Magic have gotten out to a solid start. Nikola Vucevic has stolen most of the headlines and attention as he leads the team in scoring and puts up surreal scoring and passing numbers for a big man. Nikola Vucevic has been the fulcrum for the team.

All those expectations for Aaron Gordon to take the mantle have somewhat gone to the wayside.

His game has been more gritty. He has gotten down to defend more often and helped move the ball. Even coach Steve Clifford admitted after the Orlando Magic’s 105-90 win over the Miami Heat that Aaron Gordon has focused on other parts of his game as his scoring has dropped some this year.

Do not let that distract you. Gordon is still here to serve notice and still can reach that All-Star takeover level the Magic are seeking.

In the third quarter Tuesday night, Gordon did just that.

A steal and then a runaway dunk on the opposite end of the court by none other than the Gordon highlighted a stellar third quarter on both ends. He single-handedly turned the game around for Orlando against Miami, reminding everyone just how vital his energy and versatility on both ends can be.

The Magic trailed the Heat 50-46 at halftime. Orlando needed someone else besides Nikola Vucevic to pick up the scoring load as they shot just 40.0 percent. Gordon would rise to the occasion.

After shooting just 1 for 8 in the first half, Gordon would score 16 points in the third quarter alone. More than the entire  Heat’s 12 points. He helped the Magic build a 14-point lead and paced them on defense with solid plays and smart decisions.

Gordon finished with a game-high 20 points on 7-for-16 shooting from the field. He hit all three of his 3-pointers. It was a strong offensive game that boosted the team and got them going in higher gear. The energy was contagious.

Gordon contributed elsewhere too. He also notched 13 rebounds and five assists, adding a steal and a block. He helped the Orlando in every facet of the game.

Vucevic has been getting most of the attention during this team’s fast start. He is putting up All-Star numbers and deserves all the recognition after being overlooked for so many years.

But Gordon has also played a vital role in Orlando’s 12-12 start. He has perhaps been the most valuable two-way player for the Magic this season.

He is able to play the opposing teams best player on the wing and hold his own in the post. When he left the game against the Golden State Warriors last week with a strained back, the Magic struggled to slow down Kevin Durant. His absence was also felt in the loss to the Portland Trail Blazers.

Gordon is the Magic’s best all-around defensive player because of his ability to guard the perimeter and the post.

That is seen most clearly on the glass. Gordon 13 rebounds were all big energy boosts that helped finish the team’s defensive possessions and often start the Magic’s transition or secondary break plays. He had seven rebounds in the third quarter alone, including three offensive rebounds.

Gordon is averaging 7.2 rebounds per game but has shown a much bigger attention to detail on the glass. It signals his increased defensive impact and intensity.

Add onto that his defensive impact. Orlando has an 104.2 defensive rating with Gordon on the floor, the best mark of the team’s rotation players. It certainly suggests Gordon has upped his defensive efforts.

But his offensive game has also taken a leap, even though his raw numbers are down from last year. His outside shooting and ability to create offense has been vital.

After struggling in the previous years to play within the team’s offense, he is playing the most efficient basketball of his NBA career. Gordon is shooting 48.3 percent from the field and 37.6 percent from three, both on track for career highs. His 54.3 percent effective field goal percentage is also on track to be a career best.

Offense seems to be coming more naturally for him this season as in years past. The confidence in his jump shot is evident and his hot-shooting steak from three does not seem to be a fluke.

Yes, his scoring is down this year — 16.3 points per game this year from 17.6 points per game. And the Magic have not seen that explosive 40-point scoring performance he had last year. But the added efficiency is proving he has taken a major step in the right direction.

He is also passing it more effectively, dishing out 2.7 assists per game. That passing ability would unlock a new part to his game.

The Magic seem to win when Gordon is playing his best offensively.

In wins this season, he is averaging 20.3 points per game. In losses, he is averaging 12.4 points per game.

Tuesday’s win served as a reminder of what Gordon could do as he took over the game and flipped it on its head. He did on both ends exactly what the Magic needed to win.

Vucevic might be the anchor to Orlando’s success but Gordon is the engine that keeps the ship running.