Aaron Gordon thriving as solid playmaker for Orlando Magic

The Orlando Magic’s Aaron Gordon is coming into his own this season in ways that make coach Frank Vogel smile. Gordon, according to Vogel, is playing the “right way.” An improved outside stroke, and a more focused approach to the details has made a huge difference for Gordon and in turn the Magic, who are off to an impressive 8-5 start to this seasons heading into tonight’s matchup against the Golden State Warriors at Oracle Arena (10:30 ET, NBA League Pass).

Vogel has praised Gordon’s work as an improved playmaker (he’s averaging 2.5 assists) and his restraint, his resisting the urge to make flashy, highlight plays in favor of just solid, winning plays. His homecoming tonight with the less-is-more-approach, should be plenty interesting, according to Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel:

Gordon might face his most difficult individual test of the season, too.

He’ll be tempted to put his stamp on the game. Gordon grew up in nearby San Jose, and he attended his first NBA game at Oracle Arena when he was 7 or 8 years old. He always pictured himself running out of one of the arena’s tunnels one day, either playing for the Warriors or for a visiting team.

And yet, to help his team most against the Warriors, Gordon will have to suppress his impulses to take control, even if those impulses tantalize him. The Magic have been at their best when they’ve moved the ball, avoided contested shots and passed up OK shots for good shots or passed up good shots for great shots.

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“I love passing,” Gordon said. “Assisting is fun. Assisting is scoring. They’re on the same level to me. So seeing Shelvin open in the corner, me making that extra pass — it’s just as rewarding seeing Shelvin make the 3 as me getting the bucket.”

Gordon is discovering he doesn’t need to force shots to be effective. In fact, he has posted the best individual statistics of his career so far this season. His 19.0 points per game rank second on the Magic. He leads the team in rebounding, averaging 7.7 boards per game. And he leads the entire NBA in 3-point shooting, having made 55.3 percent of his attempts.