Orlando Magic have reason to worry on offense
By Ryan Doyle
Elfrid Payton still in progress
A player who will be sharing the court with Gordon a lot this season is Elfrid Payton. Like Gordon, the Magic will look to Payton to improve his offensive game by expanding his range.
When Gordon and Payton are on the floor, the team is already at a disadvantage in the shooting department. Both of them are known to be ineffective from the outside. Thus, teams will simply cutting off driving lanes and test their range, which has worked. Without the shooting from the point guard and small forward position, teams clog the paint and force mid-range jumpers.
With a pick-and-roll machine like Nikola Vucevic, Payton could become a great weapon on offense if he can develop some sort of jump shot. If the defense is forced to switch on Payton, Vucevic can dominate down low.
Vogel even admitted Payton desperately needs to hit a mid-range jumper consistently. It is no big secret for the Magic.
Plain and simple, the Magic are relying on two players that are not a threat from behind the arc to take major steps in that department this offseason. It is a major concern.
Next: Offensive option on shaky ground