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Aaron Gordon Earns First NBA Start

Josh Cohen
Digital News Manager

By John Denton

Jan. 25, 2015

ORLANDO – Even in reduced minutes as he continues to work his way back from foot surgery, rookie forward Aaron Gordon has found a way to make a difference for the Orlando Magic with his relentless hustle and aggressive play around the rim.

On Sunday, Gordon was rewarded for that solid play with the first start of his professional career.

Gordon, the fourth pick in last June’s NBA Draft, was out from Nov. 15 to Jan. 18 following surgery to repair a fracture in the outside of his left foot. His minutes have been limited as he works himself back into game shape, but Gordon still had a noticeable impact by playing with tremendous energy. He had eight points and three rebounds in 12 minutes against Oklahoma City last Sunday. He chipped in four points, three rebounds, a steal and a blocked shot in Detroit on Wednesday – going a plus-nine in his 12 minutes on the floor. And thanks to an early burst that helped the Magic grab a first-quarter lead, Gordon hustled his way to five points and two boards on Friday in New York.

Gordon said he put no added significance in getting the first start of his professional career. Instead, he’s just trying to continue to be a difference-maker for the Magic in the limited time that he has on the floor.

``That’s pretty much the only way that I know how to play – as hard as I can,’’ Gordon said prior to Sunday’s game. ``It makes the game fun for me and it’s contagious. If I see somebody doing it or they see me doing it, it sort of picks the energy up for our team.’’

Magic coach Jacque Vaughn said that he’s been impressed with how Gordon has fallen back into the flow of the game despite missing nine weeks of action. Even while wearing a walking boot, Gordon stayed as close to the team as possible, attending practices and shoot-around sessions to stay in tune with the team’s offensive and defensive sets.

And when he’s gotten on the floor, Gordon has been a difference-maker with his hustle, especially on the defensive end. He impressively blocked a 3-pointer in Detroit and had two plays that led to fastbreak baskets on the other end in New York on Friday.

``To give (foes some defensive problems), Aaron’s attention to detail will help that (starting) group out, for sure,’’ Vaughn said. ``I always talk about intent and motives. And when (Gordon) steps onto the floor his priority is to play well for the team and whatever is needed for the team is what he is willing to do.’’

Gordon started in place of fellow rookie Devyn Marble, who had started the past seven games. Tobias Harris, the starter at small forward for much of the season, was used in a reserve role for a third straight game.

PULLING FOR PAUL: Paul George believed in Victor Oladipo before anyone else ever did, so the Magic guard is keeping the faith now that Indiana forward can get back to his former all-star level despite a horrific leg injury suffered this past summer.

George befriended Oladipo years ago when the former was a young NBA player for the Pacers and the latter was a rising guard at Indiana University. Oladipo wasn’t heavily recruited out of high school and many doubted that he would ever make an impact at IU, much less play in the NBA. But it was George who gave tips to Oladipo and repeatedly told him he could make it to the NBA if he just continued to improve his game.

Oladipo was in Las Vegas this past summer when George landed awkwardly following a blocked shot and broke both the tibia and fibula in his right leg. George was playing an exhibition game for USA Basketball at the time of his injury. Oladipo, a member of USA Basketball’s Select Team, practiced against George in the days before the freakish injury.

The two have stayed in contact through the years, and they met up earlier this season when the Magic were in Indianapolis for a preseason game. Oladipo was delighted to see a video recently on Instagram that showed George not only back on the basketball floor, but dunking with force. From the start, Oladipo vowed that George would put in the work to get his game back to an all-star level.

``I know that he’s doing really well and I really think he’ll be back better than ever,’’ Oladipo said. ``I’m looking forward to his return. He kind of believed I had a chance to be here and be special even before I got the NBA. I credit him for that belief. He’s always been a good person for me to know and have believe in me.’’

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