Orlando Magic Shooting Month: Top 20 shooters in Orlando Magic history

Top 20 Shooters in Orlando Magic History

T19. Nikola Vucevic

By Stefan Alvarez

VOOOOOOOOCH!

When Nikola Vucevic was traded to the Orlando Magic during the summer of 2012, he was considered a raw prospect. The Montenegrin big man played a sole season in Philadelphia where he averaged just five points per game. That season, he only attempted eight three-point shots in 51 games played.

Vucevic hit the ground running in sunny Central Florida, immediately boosting his scoring total up to 13 points per game. But the three-point shot was not a focal part of his game. During the first five years of his career, Vucevic only attempted 26 total threes – including the 2014 season, in which he did not attempt a single shot from deep.

The next season, Vucevic upped that total to 75 attempts. The following, 204 attempts. And the total has risen ever since.

A career 35-percent shooter from deep, Vucevic has shown the ability to stretch the floor in ways he had not during the early years of his career. It is a part of his game – an important one – that was not there before. He always had it. He just was not able to showcase his talent.

The addition of a 3-point shot lifted Vucevic into an All-Star and helped the Magic snap a seven-year playoff drought.

While Vucevic may not be talked in the likes of J.J. Redick or Dennis Scott when it comes to all-time Magic shooters, he should be in the conversation, especially at the big man position.