Orlando Magic Daily
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Five concerning statistics for the Orlando Magic in 2018

By Philip Rossman-Reich

ORLANDO, FL - MARCH 20: Aaron Gordon #00 of the Orlando Magic shoots the ball against the Philadelphia 76ers during the game on March 20, 2017 at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL - MARCH 20: Aaron Gordon #00 of the Orlando Magic shoots the ball against the Philadelphia 76ers during the game on March 20, 2017 at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Terrence Ross, Orlando Magic, Sacramento Kings
SACRAMENTO, CA – MARCH 13: Terrence Ross #31 of the Orlando Magic shoots a three pointer against the Sacramento Kings on March 13, 2017 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Terrence Ross‘ shooting: 34.1%

Acquiring Terrence Ross changed the Orlando Magic’s style and approach completely. Shifting Aaron Gordon up to power forward helped unlock him and the Magic offense in a way that it had not earlier in the season. Orlando was suddenly alive.

Still, the Magic’s offense overall after the All-Star Break was not fantastic. The team had a 102.9 offensive rating, which was still 26th in the league. The bench, as noted above, had a little bit to do with that. Orlando’s starting lineup of Elfrid Payton, Evan Fournier, Terrence Ross, Aaron Gordon and Nikola Vucevic posted a 112 offensive rating and the lineup with Bismack Biyombo instead also had a similar offensive surge.

The concerns for the Magic’s offense this year still remain. There is plenty of doubt about how the team will generate points. The Magic still lack a go-to offensive scorer (or at least a readily identifiable and consistent one preseason). And they still lack that one skill that seems ever more important in the NBA — shooting.

The Magic’s current starting lineup has at least two players who are perceived as quality shooters in Terrence Ross and Evan Fournier. But teams will still largely ignore Elfrid Payton when he is outside the paint and Aaron Gordon did not raise his 3-point percentage much last year either (even after the break).

That puts more pressure on Ross and Fournier to carry that floor spacing role. And they are occasionally going to be on the ball leaving just one shooter to spread the floor for drivers.

Fournier saw an expected decrease in his shooting percentage, but he largely rebounded after the All-Star Break. Ross, though? Ross struggled.

After shooting 37.5 percent from beyond the arc with the Toronto Raptors, Ross shot 34.1 percent from beyond the arc for the Magic. He is a career 37.4 percent shooter. To be sure, Orlando did not reap the benefits of Ross’ shooting after the break.

And it stands to reason that Ross could progress to his mean this year. Especially with a full summer to properly gameplan and free him up for shots.

Hurting his efficiency was also the volume he shot at — 5.6 3-point attempts per game. Orlando will rely heavily on Ross’ 3-point shooting again this year. They will need him to get going from beyond the arc to give the Magic the spacing they need to succeed overall.