It's a bummer I can't make it out to the BAY this week. would've been nice to be there for my team, but what I need to do now is get back
— AG (@IamAaronGordon) December 1, 2014
This West Coast road trip is bittersweet for Magic rookie Aaron Gordon.
Orlando is knocking out its two Northern California stops in one fell swoop and Gordon is in Orlando rehabbing from a leg fracture. The Magic opted to leave Gordon at home rather than have him trek with them on a long road trip. It was probably the right decision.
But it is always tough for a rookie to miss his first trip back to his hometown as a NBA player. And Gordon will miss Tuesday’s game in Golden State and Saturday’s game in Sacramento. Both are close to his hometown outside the San Jose area in Northern California.
It has really been an unfortunate rookie season for Gordon. He found out about his leg fracture on November 15 and really seemed to be finding his stride, particularly on the defensive end. He was fitting in well and the Magic have certainly noticed his absence as Jacque Vaughn told Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel:
“I thought Aaron was really starting to understand his role on our team. [With] his versatility, he was able to guard multiple positions for us, handle the basketball, rebound for us, give us energy, effort on a nightly basis. [Those are] all the things that when I go to sleep at night I’m wishing for.”
No timetable was given for Gordon’s return. The estimate of 6-8 weeks to recover would have Gordon back in the lineup around January. Maybe he will be back in time for that second West Coast trip which includes games against the Nuggets, Lakers and Trail Blazers.
The NBA is a long season and Gordon will have a lot of playing years ahead of him to be in front of family and friends.
