By John DentonOct. 13, 2015
ORLANDO – Even though he is just 20 years old, Orlando Magic forward Aaron Gordon is blessed with a tremendous maturity and understanding of his surroundings. Clearly, Gordon understands how fortunate he is to to play in the NBA and enjoy all the perks that go along with the profession.
With his Magic headed to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil for a four-day promotional trip as part of the NBA’s Global Games 2015, Gordon is awed by how the game of basketball has allowed him to see the world.
``I’ve said that all my life – being around peers who haven’t even been out of San Jose, Calif. – and I’ve been in almost every state in the country and other countries around the world,’’ said Gordon, who played in his first preseason game this season on Wednesday night against the Miami Heat. ``It’s really crazy what a little round ball can do for you.’’
The Magic will play Brazilian powerhouse Flamengo in Rio on Saturday night. NBA TV will televise the game.
Orlando is looking at the team’s first-ever trip to South America as a chance to grow its brand internationally to the sports crazed country that will host the Summer Olympics in 2016.
In 2014, Orlando became America’s most visited destination with 62 million tourists in Central Florida – up 5 percent from 2013, according to VisitFlorida.com. Of those visitors, some 777,000 were Brazilians – the largest number of tourists from any country.
Several thousands of Brazilian fans visited Amway Center last fall when the Magic topped Flamengo – an exhibition game that was highlighted by the boisterous energy and singing of the South American fans in attendance. Many of the Magic players are expecting a similarly electric atmosphere in Saturday night’s exhibition game in Rio.
``I think (Americans) don’t realize how crazy the fans are overseas,’’ said Magic guard Evan Fournier, a native of France. ``I’ve been to Serbia and Croatia and these places are unreal. I think it will be a fun. The fans (in Brazil) are very exciting and it will be really cool.’’
Magic coach Scott Skiles said he isn’t worried about the trip disrupting the team’s schedule in the heart of the preseason, adding, ``we have not had a bad practice yet.’’ In addition to taking part in several community events in Rio, Orlando is scheduled to practice on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday and Skiles thinks the change of scenery could actually be good for the energy of his team.
``It will be a fun trip and we’re looking forward to it. It will probably be nice for the guys to get out of this gym for a few days, go somewhere else and see somewhere else,’’ Skiles said. ``This trip is important for the league and the franchise. The league is global now and that’s important.’’
Orlando’s opponent on Tuesday night, the Miami Heat, played in Rio against the Cleveland Cavaliers last season. Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said the Magic are in for a treat on the trip.
``It was fun and we liked the trip,’’ Spoelstra said. ``We had a great time getting down there and we wish we could have played two games, but we only played one. But (Brazil) is like Miami – what’s not to like about it?’’
Gordon said he can’t wait to hit the basketball court in Rio and feed off the energy of a Brazilian fan base that is into every point and basket of the game. Again, Gordon understands how fortunate he is to get to travel the world thanks to basketball and he is eager to soak in every ounce of the culture and electric atmosphere.
``It’s always fun (playing in front of crazed fans) and it’s a soccer-style environment,’’ Gordon gushed. ``That’s how it was when I played in Cancun and in the Czech Republic, so it’s going to be fun.’’