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Orlando Magic Playbook: Aaron Gordon’s defense on Kawhi Leonard wasn’t enough

By Seth Arora

The Toronto Raptors started their road to the title with a five-game series win over the Orlando Magic. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images)
The Toronto Raptors started their road to the title with a five-game series win over the Orlando Magic. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images) /
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Aaron Gordon, Orlando Magic, Kawhi Leonard, Toronto Raptors
TORONTO, ON – APRIL 23: Aaron Gordon #00 of the Orlando Magic dribbles the ball as Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Toronto Raptors defends during Game Five of the first round of the 2019 NBA Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena on April 23, 2019 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) /

Leonard vs. Gordon

While those numbers track how Kawhi Leonard did against the Orlando Magic as a team, he faced off against Aaron Gordon, according to NBA.com, an average of 42.8 possessions per game.

This is by far the most of any Magic player (the next closest was Jonathan Isaac with 9.2 per game). In those bouts, Leonard went 31 for 58 (53.4 percent), including 10/15 (66.7 percent) from 3.

The NBA’s “Hustle” stats show Gordon contested 5.8 shots per game during the Toronto series, fifth-most on the team, despite playing the second-most minutes per game on the team.

Overall, Gordon’s performance earned his team a defensive rating of 119.1 points allowed per 100 possessions with Gordon on the floor, well above the season average of 105.9 points allowed per 100 possessions.

Thus, the numbers show not only did Leonard rip the Magic’s team defense apart as a whole, he consistently succeeded against Gordon in particular.

Even though Gordon cannot take all of the blame for Leonard’s offensive success in Round 1, he should at least shoulder some. His defense was not nearly effective enough.

This is where Gordon will have to learn and grow the most moving forward into next season.