Orlando Magic Daily
Fansided

2019 Orlando Magic Season Review: 5 questions for the Orlando Magic’s offseason

By Philip Rossman-Reich

DETROIT, MI - MARCH 28: Aaron Gordon #00 of the Orlando Magic handles the ball against the Detroit Pistons on March 28, 2019 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Brian Sevald/NBAE via Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - MARCH 28: Aaron Gordon #00 of the Orlando Magic handles the ball against the Detroit Pistons on March 28, 2019 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Brian Sevald/NBAE via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
6 of 6
Next
Nikola Vucevic, Orlando Magic, Chicago Bulls
MEXICO CITY, MX – DECEMBER 13: Nikola Vucevic #9 of the Orlando Magic shoots the ball against the Chicago Bulls as part of the NBA Mexico Games 2018 on December 13, 2018 at Arena Ciudad de Mexico in Mexico City, Mexico. 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Where can the Orlando Magic find shooters?

The other weakness the playoffs exposed in this Orlando Magic team was their general lack of shooters. The Toronto Raptors were more than happy to pack the paint and force the Orlando Magic to shoot 3-pointers all series. If guys like Jonathan Isaac or even Aaron Gordon made them, that was fine.

It did not help that Orlando’s other main shooters — especially Evan Fournier (remember his 1-for-8 performance in Game 3?) — did not shoot the ball well in the series.

Orlando is not a bad 3-point shooting team. That is the crazy part. They made 35.6 percent of their threes in the regular season, 11th in the league. Orlando could hit shots from the outside and it was a big part of the team’s game.

But the issue is the Magic do not have a lot of players who have great reputations as 3-point shooters.

Outside of D.J. Augustin, Evan Fournier and Terrence Ross, it does not feel like teams are afraid of anyone hitting from deep. Nikola Vucevic certainly helps stretch the floor some too. So all of those guys got the defense’s respect.

But even Aaron Gordon (career-best 34.9 percent from deep, better than Evan Fournier this year) is not getting the respect from defenders. Jonathan Isaac certainly does not at 32.3 percent. Even Wesley Iwundu (36.7 percent) is not making any defenders shake from deep.

Perception is better than reality here. In Wesley Iwundu’s case, he was hesitant to take threes. He got more comfortable as the season went on, but he remained selective with his shots. But the Raptors had no qualms leaving him open in the corner to double down in the paint.

Orlando will have to keep hitting 3-pointers and get a better reputation as a shooting team to loosen the defense. But it might also mean the team has to acquire more shooters.

To be sure, whether it is through the draft or in free agency, finding players who can defend a little bit AND shoot will be vital. The shooting part might be more vital — although as we saw with Steve Clifford and Malik Monk, no shooter will play unless they can defend a little bit.

National media like what they see in Orlando Magic. dark. Next

Certainly, internal improvement with shooting on the team should continue. Gordon had a great year beyond the arc. Isaac showed growing confidence there. As did Iwundu. But the Magic have to make shooting a priority in the players they acquire this offseason.