Orlando Magic Daily
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Orlando Magic Daily Mailbag Volume 33: It’s delicate

By Philip Rossman-Reich

ORLANDO, FL - NOVEMBER 14: Aaron Gordon #00 of the Orlando Magic rebounds the ball against the Philadelphia 76ers on November 14, 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)
ORLANDO, FL - NOVEMBER 14: Aaron Gordon #00 of the Orlando Magic rebounds the ball against the Philadelphia 76ers on November 14, 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) /
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Aaron Gordon, Orlando Magic, Boston Celtics
BOSTON, MA – March 31: Aaron Gordon #00 of the Orlando Magic goes to the basket against the Boston Celtics on March 31, 2017 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 2017 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) /

From Jamiek Foster (via Facebook)

"I was thinking. Should magic use AG like how philly use ben simmions? I believe ag having a carrer high in assist. And he a decent play maker. But maybe we should try and let ag be a ben simmions on the team just with a shot. Lol what would u think of that? And it could get dj more rest"

The Orlando Magic’s point guard hunt certainly is creating some interesting ideas to resolve the problem. This is one of the more intriguing ones for sure.

I think treating Aaron Gordon as a Ben Simmons-like point guard is probably going a bit too far though. But the fact this idea is even something someone can suggest is a really promising sign for Gordon as a developing player.

A lot of people have expressed disappointment to me over Gordon’s season. Yes, his scoring is down to 15.6 points per game. But he has picked up his game in so many other areas. Especially his passing.

Gordon is averaging a career-best 3.3 assists per game. He has done a much better job driving with the intent to pass and staying within himself offensively. He is doing random dribble forays a whole lot less.

Orlando Magic
Orlando Magic /

Orlando Magic

Expect to see a future playbook post on Gordon’s passing in the near future. Gordon said this was a skill he worked on in the summer as much as his shooting (which is also at a career-best 35.2 percent from beyond the arc). Gordon is still getting a lot better.

So how much more should they leave the ball in his hands?

His usage rate is down to 21.7 percent after hovering around 24 percent last year. So he is on the ball a whole lot less. The Magic want to work him off cuts and use him as a bit of a floor spacer. And Gordon certainly has not had the same level of offensive aggression this year — for both good and bad.

So there is some room it seems to give Gordon more time on the ball or run more plays specifically for him. Especially if this passing part of his game expands.

Gordon has been solid on drives this year, averaging 3.5 points and 0.7 assists per game on 6.3 drives per game, shooting 46.8 percent on those plays. Last year he averaged 2.8 points and 0.3 assists per game on 5.8 drives per game, shooting 37.9 percent. Gordon has become a better and more efficient driver.

But the Magic do not use him a ton in pick and roll plays as the ball handler. It may be something worth experimenting with. Especially as they gain more trust in Gordon’s abilities.

For now, I would say simply that Gordon is not a Simmons-like player. I do not think the Magic should use him that way. Simmons is essentially the Philadelphia 76ers’ true point guard. Gordon is not that guy.

But could the Magic use Gordon more as a playmaker? Things are trending that way. I am really intrigued and excited to see how Gordon grows his skills next as he completes his game.