Orlando Magic Daily
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The 3-pointer is saving Nikola Vucevic’s career

By Ian Holmes

ORLANDO, FL - NOVEMBER 25: Nikola Vucevic #9 of the Orlando Magic is introduced before a game against the Washington Wizards on November 25, 2016 at the 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 2016 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL - NOVEMBER 25: Nikola Vucevic #9 of the Orlando Magic is introduced before a game against the Washington Wizards on November 25, 2016 at the 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 2016 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Nikola Vucevic, Orlando Magic
CLEVELAND, OH – OCTOBER 21: Nikola Vucevic #9 of the Orlando Magic shoots the ball against the Cleveland Cavaliers on October 21, 2017 at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. 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 David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images) /

A spark from the arc

As the 2018 season began, most penciled Nikola Vucevic in as the starting center even if he did not quite fit with the team’s mid-to-long-term vision of how they plan to play.

But that is where it all changed.

Vucevic added the 3-point shot to his game. A move the Magic have been asking him to do for a number of years.

In doing so. Vucevic may have just validated his long-term place in the league. And, at a time when skilled 7 footers are no longer in high demand, saved his career, not only in Orlando but in the NBA.

Vucevic dabbled with the 3-point line last season, taking 76 3-pointers compared to just 26 in the previous five seasons. He made 23 of 76 last season for 30 percent shooting.

It was a slow but intriguing beginning. Orlando asked him to work on his 3-point shot again in the summer.

But through the first eight games this season, he has taken 35 3-pointers already and made 14 of them, good for 40 percent shooting.

It is still a small sample size of course, but his increased willingness to take the shot and his ability so far to make them at a consistent clip is enough for opposing defenses to have to adjust to it.

With teams previously willing to give up the mid-range jumper, the 3-point threat is a game changer, not just for Vucevic but for the Magic as a whole.

With opposing big men having to respect the 3-point threat Vucevic now offers, this opens driving lanes and creates much more space for the Magic’s guards and wings to take advantage.

Evan Fournier, Jonathon Simmons and Terrence Ross capitalize frequently on dribble handoffs in the pick and pop from the top of the arc.

Where teams would previously sag on the ball handler coming around the handoff on the screen to give up the mid-range jumper to Vucevic, they now have to respect the perimeter threat and stay connected, opening a driving lane to be exploited.

That is not the only way the Magic have used Vucevic’s new-found range. He is now a valid threat as a trailer in transition. As the Magic look to push the pace off rebounds and turnovers, a late trailing Vucevic is now a valuable second or third option following an initial probe into the offense.

It has been a genuine renaissance for Vucevic. Especially considering where he was last year.