Note: The contents of this page have not been reviewed or endorsed by the Orlando Magic. All opinions expressed by John Denton are solely his own and do not reflect the opinions of the Orlando Magic or their Basketball Operations staff, partners or sponsors.
By John Denton
Feb. 3, 2016
OKLAHOMA CITY – The Orlando Magic drafted forward Aaron Gordon fourth overall in the 2014 NBA Draft for nights like this, and for performances like the ones that he’s posted of late.
When he arrives at Oklahoma City’s Chesapeake Energy Arena tonight, Gordon will be tasked with trying to do the unthinkable – slow down Thunder superstar forward Kevin Durant. All Durant has done is score at least 20 points in his last 35 games and in 42 of the 43 games that he’s played this season.
Few defenders can even bother Durant because of his 6-foot-9 length, his quick-trigger release and his lateral quickness. The Magic (21-26) are hopeful that Gordon and fellow forward Tobias Harris can use similar length and explosive quickness to at lest be a deterrent for the league’s third-leading scorer (27.2 points per game).
“You try to make it not his night; make it our night and make it about us and make it about Orlando Magic basketball,” Gordon said. “I love (these kind of challenge), love them. I think you need to crowd his space, make it uncomfortable for him and make him shoot over the top of hands and don’t let him get to the free throw line. He’s really good at getting to the free throw line and that’s where he gets a lot of his points.”
Durant had 43 points and fellow superstar point guard Russell Westbrook had 48 points when the Thunder (37-13) and Magic squared off in an all-time classic game on Oct. 30 at the Amway Center. In that game, Orlando dominated the first three quarters and led by as much as 18 points before OKC used a 42-24 fourth quarter to re-take the lead. Magic guard Victor Oladipo appeared to have given Orlando the victory with a step-back 3-pointer with 4.1 seconds to play, but Westbrook shockingly tied it with a 40-foot, banked-in 3-point shot from half-court as time expired.
Oladipo knotted the score again at the end of the first overtime, but the Thunder won it in the second OT, 139-136.
Tonight, the Magic will be trying to figure out a way to do a better defensive job on Westbrook and Durant, who combined for 91 points, 23 rebounds and 10 assists in the first meeting of the season. Magic coach Scott Skiles thinks that slowing down the Thunder starts with getting a grasp on Westbrook, who has seven triple-doubles this season.
“You’ve just got to make a total commitment to guarding him and everybody else has to do their best to keeping him out of the painted area,” Skiles said. “And then you have to live with what happens after that if he pitches out to a shooter like (Serge) Ibaka and you have to try and scramble to get back to him. Your whole focus has to be keeping (Westbrook) out of the paint. If he’s in the paint 35 times, you’re going to lose. If you can somehow limit that to 15 times then you might have a chance.”
Gordon will undoubtedly play a big role in the Magic’s defense because of his versatility. Throughout this season, he’s guarded bigger power forwards such as Zach Randolph and Jared Sullinger, while also checking shooting forwards such as Jeff Green, Patrick Patterson, Marvin Williams and Kris Humphries.
“It’s a little bit more difficult guarding bigger guys for me than it is smaller guys,” said Gordon, who is averaging 7.8 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 21 minutes a game. “I’m quick and if they are quicker than me I can use my length to recover. With big guys, it’s more difficult because they overpower me.”
Gordon has been a tremendous bright spot of late for the Magic. He tied a career high in scoring (19 points) and set a new career high in rebounds (14 boards) in Sunday’s defeat of the Boston Celtics. In Monday’s loss in San Antonio, Gordon established a new high for rebounds (16 boards) and offensive rebounds (six), while also chipping in 12 points and a blocked shot.
Rebounding, like accepting the challenge of checking a scorer like Durant, ultimately comes down to heart and desire, Gordon said.
“Rebounding is one area that you can be selfish in and the more rebounds the merrier,” Gordon said. “It’s just about me giving my utmost effort and playing the game that I know how to play, offensively and defensively.”
