Success is hard to come by in basketball without sacrifice. At its core, building a winning team means putting individual interests aside for the greater good. Without sacrifice, a winning culture can't be established and a team can kiss any chance at success goodbye.
However, it's easier said than done, especially at a pro level.
Aaron Gordon , for instance, never played in such an environment in his first six seasons in Orlando. According to the high-flying forward, the bad competition among his young teammates is so cutthroat that it's impossible to build a winning team from it.
The Orlando Magic drafted Gordon fourth overall in 2014. It wasn't a good situation with the Magic rebuilding after dealing Dwight Howard to the Los Angeles Lakers a couple of seasons before.
Therefore, with only four veterans on the roster, the Magic was basically a squad full of youngsters looking to establish themselves. While there wasn't innately bad about that, the tendency was that the young guys only looked out for themselves and that next big fat contract.
And that's exactly what happened.
"When we were in Orlando, we were all young cats, 18, 19, 20. Everybody's competing with each other for a contract. You're competing with your own team, you know what I mean? Everybody got families to feed, man. It can get nasty, boy," AG said on "NBA Take Two Media."
For context, Gordon was with Drew Gooden and Yaxel Lendeborg conversing podcast-style in one of Berkeley's most beloved barbecue spots. Lendeborg noted that the Michigan Wolverines squad that won the 2026 national title was something special. It wasn't about talent; it was the sacrifice of each player that made it possible.
As the conversation went on, Gooden highlighted that it's hard to replicate that even in the NBA. That's when Gordon chimed in with his own experience with the Magic. However, AG managed to navigate the tricky waters, compartmentalizing the noise and his play on the court.
"I just kept playing to win," Gordon added. "I try not to pick up the bad habits. Sometimes, when you say, 'F—k the numbers,' you put up crazy stats. When I'm not thinking about scoring, shooting percentages or nothing like that, now I got a 50-ball."
Interestingly, that 50-point game Gordon was talking about happened in Denver, not Orlando. He did have pretty high-scoring nights while in a Magic uniform, though. Gordon had two 40-point outings in 2017 within one month of each other.
After playing out his rookie scale contract, Gordon ultimately signed a second deal with the Magic. AG came off the 2017-18 season averaging 17.6 points, 7.9 rebounds and 2.3 assists. Management rewarded him with a four-year, $80 million contract, which had him emotional.
"Man, it brought tears to my eyes," Gordon admitted . "I celebrated by going to UCF and getting up shots. The Magic (practice) floor wasn't ready and I celebrated by getting shots up, having the ball in my hands and looking at the basket. It is surreal, man, (the contract) brought tears to my eyes."
The Magic actually made its first playoff appearances in the AG era in 2018-19 and 2019-20. However, they eventually traded Gordon to Denver for RJ Hampton, Gary Harris and an unprotected 2025 first-round pick. That selection became Jase Richardson.
Apparently, Gordon survived the little infighting within the Magic organization by adjusting his mindset. That approach worked wonders when he came to the Mile High City running alongside Nikola Jokic.
He became the perfect do-it-all athletic forward who could be Joker's release valve and another ball-handler behind the Serbian center and Jamal Murray.
As a result, AG can now feed as many families as he wants. He recently signed a three-year, $103 million deal with the Nuggets that runs through 2028-29. Gordon eventually found a place where winning and getting paid go hand in hand.
This story was originally published by Basketball Network on Oct 30, 2026, where it first appeared in the Latest News section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
