Much-improved Gordon makes Bay Area return
SAN FRANCISCO » Standing in a downtown San Francisco gym, Orlando Magic forward Aaron Gordon has just finished coming up just short in a 3-point shooting contest with teammates Elfrid Payton and Shelvin Mack in anticipation of Monday night’s contest against the Warriors.
The rest of the league, however, hasn’t been so lucky in the quest to stop Gordon’s marksmanship.
Entering Monday night’s homecoming game, Gordon, a native of San Jose, has been on a tear. He is averaging 19.0 points per game on 55.9 percent shooting and 55.3 percent from the 3-point arc, helping the Magic to an 8-5 record and third place in the Eastern Conference. The
statistics are a dramatic boost from Gordon’s career numbers of 9.7 points and 46.0 percent marksmanship from the field and 28.9 percent on 3-pointers coming into this season. Against the Warriors, though, Gordon scored 10 points, shooting 4 of 13 from the floor. He had 10 rebounds in Orlando’s 110-100 loss to Golden State.
Gordon credits overall increased production to health. Gordon’s rookie campaign was limited to 47 games after he fractured a bone in his foot. In addition, Gordon has made a concerted effort in his shot selection. Magic coach Frank Vogel, who took this job in 2016 partly because of Gordon, says he could see the
improved shooting coming.
“He didn’t shoot the ball but I’ve always felt he had good mechanics,” Vogel said after the team’s shootaround Monday. “I remember watching him play in Summer League in Indiana and he shot the ball well. He’s really worked on his shot selection and he’s not taking bad shots.”
In anticipation of the season, Gordon worked tirelessly on his jumper in gyms across California, including Burlingame, Los Angeles and Santa Barbara. In most cases, he wouldn’t leave the court until he made 10 straight 3-pointers in an effort to change the perception that the former Slam Dunk Contest runner-up only relies on athleticism.
“A lot of reps,” Gordon said. “A lot of reps, a lot of courage to break out of the stigma people put on you.”
Gordon starred at Archbishop
Mitty High School in San Jose, leading the Monarchs to state titles in 2011 and 2012. He averaged 21 points, a school record 15.7 rebounds and 3.3 blocks his senior year, becoming an All-American in the process before starring for one season at the University of Arizona.
Gordon also played on the highly touted Oakland Soldiers AAU squad alongside Detroit Pistons forward Stanley Johnson, as well as Boston Celtics forward Jabari Bird. They won the prestigious Peach Jam tournament in Augusta, Ga.
Orlando drafted Gordon with the No. 4 pick in 2014. Even though this is his fourth NBA season, Gordon still quite young, just turning 22 in September.
Since the Magic’s schedule allowed for a day off in the Bay Area on Sunday, Gordon was afforded the opportunity to spend some time with his family in the South Bay. Because the Magic makes only one trip to the Bay Area during the regular season, Gordon’s family used the opportunity to celebrate an early Thanksgiving.
Gordon’s increased production couldn’t come at a better time. On the eve of the season, the Magic decided not to offer Gordon a long-term extension, making him a restricted free agent this coming summer. The Magic will have the right to match any offer presented by another team. However, Gordon seems to be motivated by a different goal.
“I want to be the greatest,” Gordon said. “My team, we want to win the most and I want to be the greatest. I don’t care what anyone else thinks other than my teammates and my coaches.”