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Orlando Magic Shooting Month: 5 Most Improved Magic shooters

By Philip Rossman-Reich

Nikola Vucevic has established himself as a solid player. But notice will only come with flash, and more importantly winning. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Nikola Vucevic has established himself as a solid player. But notice will only come with flash, and more importantly winning. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /
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Darrell Armstrong, Orlando Magic, Tony Battie, Boston Celtics
Darrell Armstrong earned a place in the NBA thanks to his hustle and athleticism. He stayed because he developed his 3-pointer. (Photo credit should read TONY RANZE/AFP via Getty Images) /

5 most improved Orlando Magic shooters

Darrell Armstrong

When Orlando Magic fans think of Darrell Armstrong, they think of the hustle and the energy. That was how Armstrong got his foot in the door.

He was a spark plug. The Magic snatched him from the CBA because he just stood out with how off the wall he was. There was no off button with him and he constantly made everyone award of his presence.

That was enough to pique interest. And the Magic added him for the end of the 1995 season — his oversized mustard-colored suits were one of the highlights of the Magic’s Finals run as he was jumping all over his new teammates giving what energy he could from off the bench.

Armstrong made an early name for himself with his energy and supreme athleticism. Yes, his performance in the 1997 Slam Dunk Contest is one everyone wants to forget. But he earned his way in there.

That was all good. It got his foot in the door. But he became the NBA’s Most Improved Player and Sixth Man of the Year in 1999 because he suddenly became a reliable 3-point shooter.

Armstrong’s first regular playing time came in 1997 when he made 30.4-percent from beyond the arc on 1.4 attempts per game. In 1998, he improved to 36.8-percent from deep on 1.4 attempts per game.

But he took the leap in 1999. He made 36.5-percent of his 3.8 attempts per game. He followed that up with 34.0-percent in the Heart & Hustle year on 4.9 attempts per game.

Armstrong continued to rely on the 3-point shot and became a solid 3-point shooter throughout his career. The percentages are not as strong as they would become in the modern age. But Armstrong carved his place in the league not just with his hustle, but with his skill and his ability to spread the floor.

That became important to help Tracy McGrady as much as he could. He was a playmaker and creator to generate offense. But his shooting was vital to his staying power in the league just as much as his hustle and energy were.