With the 2022-23 NBA season approaching, the Orlando Sentinel is unveiling a five-part sequence of Orlando Magic storylines to keep watch over heading into coaching camp, which kicks off on Sept. 27 at their new state-of-the-art AdventHealth Coaching Heart.
Half One: Capturing
To say outdoors capturing has been a battle for the Orlando Magic lately can be an understatement.
The Magic’s 3-point proportion has been a bottom-six mark in every of the earlier 5 seasons besides one: 2018-19, the lone 12 months Orlando has completed with a plus-. 500 file (42-40) since 2011-12.
They’re coming off back-to-back years ending within the bottom-four in 3-point proportion.
The Magic perceive how necessary outdoors capturing is within the trendy NBA, even when their percentages haven’t mirrored it.
Coach Jamahl Mosley, in a number of situations, has stated his offensive philosophy entails enjoying with tempo, area and “the move.”
Orlando demonstrated progress in these areas within the first 12 months below Mosley.
The Magic’s common of 11.8 seconds earlier than taking a shot final 12 months was an above-average mark (thirteenth) for the primary time because the 2017-18 season, in keeping with Inpredictable. Their 284 passes per recreation ranked 14th.
They even had an uptick in 3-point makes an attempt, taking 36.9 pictures from past the arc in 2021-22 after trying 31.8 in 2020-21.
Orlando’s drawback, as soon as once more, was its accuracy, with its 33.1% 3-point proportion being the league’s third-worst mark.
The Magic addressed their want for outdoor capturing this offseason — straight and not directly.
They introduced again Gary Harris (38.4% on 3s) and Mo Bamba (38.1%), who have been two of the staff’s higher shooters final 12 months.
The late-season signing of Devin Cannady (40.5% on 3s on 7.4 makes an attempt in 5 video games) and drafting of Caleb Houstan (35.5% 3-point shooter at Michigan) in June also needs to make the Magic threats from past the arc.
Paolo Banchero, the No. 1 choose in June’s draft, and Markelle Fultz, who returned from a torn left knee anterior cruciate ligament, are the kind of dynamic playmakers who ought to be capable to create extra paint touches and open up seems from past the arc.
Simpler pictures ought to result in the next dialog price.
An issue for the Magic is in addition they struggled with these simpler seems, too.
Their 36.3% 3-point proportion on “wide-open” pictures from past the arc (nearest defender is over six-plus toes away) and 30.9% 3-point proportion on “open” pictures (nearest defender is 4-6 toes away) have been each bottom-four marks throughout the league.
It doesn’t assist the Magic that the gamers who have been taking a major chunk of these extra open 3-point pictures have been making them at a below-average price, possible due to their opponent’s defensive recreation plan.
Orlando entered the offseason needing higher outdoors capturing, and should still want it.
However with the Magic already having 16 gamers signed to straightforward contracts and needing to chop the rosters down to fifteen earlier than the common season begins, they’ll should depend on self-improvement as outdoors shooters.
How a lot has been made ought to change into clear early in camp.
This text first appeared on OrlandoSentinel.com. E-mail Khobi Value at khprice@orlandosentinel.com or comply with him on Twitter at @khobi_price.
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