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2018-19 Orlando Magic Player Evaluations: Aaron Gordon

By Philip Rossman-Reich

BROOKLYN, NY - JANUARY 23: Aaron Gordon #00 of the Orlando Magic goes to the basket against the Brooklyn Nets on January 23, 2019 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images)
BROOKLYN, NY - JANUARY 23: Aaron Gordon #00 of the Orlando Magic goes to the basket against the Brooklyn Nets on January 23, 2019 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Aaron Gordon, Orlando Magic, Andre Drummond, Detroit Pistons
DETROIT, MICHIGAN – MARCH 28: Aaron Gordon #00 of the Orlando Magic gets his shot blocked by Andre Drummond #0 of the Detroit Pistons during the first half at Little Caesars Arena on March 28, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. 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 Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

Final Grade

F. Orlando Magic. AARON GORDON. B+.

Aaron Gordon did not have the season many imagined he would. He did not become the team’s All-Star and the clear leader and best player on the team. Judging by some of the trade offers fans of other teams come up to try to acquire Gordon, they do not quite seem to grasp just the kind of steps Gordon took or how integral to the Magic’s current project he is.

Gordon was clearly the most-trusted player on the Magic by the end of the season. He played more minutes than any player on the team and was the teams’ best and most consistent defender.

Coach Steve Clifford gave him the assignment on the best player on the opposing team every night. In the playoffs, Aaron Gordon did about as good as anyone could against Kawhi Leonard. He acquitted himself well but was still outplayed by one of the best players in the league.

Gordon seemingly found his offensive confidence and will in that series late. But that should give him plenty to build on for the offseason.

Gordon saw his scoring decrease and he was not the central focus of the offense, but he improved in almost every other facet.

He rediscovered his defensive will and became the team’s best defender, taking up Clifford’s challenge to get to the all-defensive team. He still has work to do to accomplish that goal.

Gordon still had a penchant for falling into bad habits in searching for his own shot. He did not have the big scoring binges either. If anything, Gordon was solidly consistent. And that is a good thing. He was in a good spot all year and gave the Magic what they needed when they needed it.

He did not stand out as much as he did the previous season. But he did not hurt the team as he might have that year too. This is as much a part of the process for Gordon in turning himself into a star.

Gordon will add plenty to his game in the offseason and come back a better player. That is something everyone is sure of.

Next. 2019 Orlando Magic Player Evaluations: Khem Birch. dark

This may not have been the season everyone imagined for Gordon, but it was still a very good one for him. Probably the best of his career.