Orlando Magic need Aaron Gordon to shake off preseason shooting woes

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Aaron Gordon struggled in the final three preseason games as the Orlando Magic were both encouraged and discouraged in their finale. (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Aaron Gordon struggled to shoot in the preseason and it bled into the regular-season opener. His struggles are a part of a problem for the Orlando Magic.

The Orlando Magic ran their normal opening play to start Wednesday’s game against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

The beats should and will become familiar. D.J. Augustin enters the ball to Nikola Vucevic near the elbow. Jonathan Isaac comes across to set a screen for Aaron Gordon and he slides across the lane, hoping for a defensive switch. With the smaller forward defending him, Aaron Gordon can seal his man and work for a shot near the basket.

The Magic would run this play even before Gordon’s much-publicized work in the post. It was a simple way to create some movement and set the tone with an easy shot near the basket.

Against the Miami Heat in the Magic’s final preseason game, they ran this play. Aaron Gordon sealed his man, but Nikola Vucevic did not like the angle. He swung the ball to D.J. Augustin who quickly entered the ball into the post. That angle change gave Gordon a free path to the basket for a dunk.

Gordon is smart and understood how to keep fighting for post position and how to reposition himself for that swing pass to get the easy basket. Gordon understands how to use open space off the ball to cut to the basket and finish.

But the rest of that game would be a struggle for Gordon. He made only 3 of his 12 shots in the preseason finale against the Heat. It continued a frustrating shooting performance for him in the preseason. He made 6 of 36 shots (16.7 percent) in the final three preseason games.

There are plenty of expectations for Gordon. There is some preseason buzz for him to have a breakout season. And these percentages are not boding well for that possibility.

Orlando knows how vital he is. He may not be the isolation player fans think of when it comes to star players but he fills in gaps for the team offensively. But the shooting struggles in the preseason and even some of his shooting issues Wednesday reveal a bigger problem.

Orlando needs players who can draw the defense in. Gordon is an important piece of this puzzle. But his struggles to finish mean he is drawing hte defense in but not converting. And the offense bogs down when he gets his turn to attack.