Orlando Magic: D.J. Augustin or Shelvin Mack their future backup PG?
By Luke Duffy
1. Shooting
Never has shooting, and in particular 3-point shooting, been so important in the NBA. The more shooters you have the better, and it also spreads the floor for more big men to get into the paint.
Augustin is somebody who can get hot in hurry from deep, Mack less so. Augustin is a career 37 percent 3-point shooter, while Mack is at 32 percent.
This season, Augustin has an effective field goal percentage of 53 percent (also a career high), while Mack’s is much lower at 47.8 percent (the third-lowest mark of his career).
This, despite Augustin taking more more long distance and lower percentage shots. For some perspective on this, Augustin has made more 3-point shots already this season (66) than Mack has attempted (60).
So far, 51.9 percent of Augustin’s shots have come within three feet of the basket this season. For Mack, that number is 67.3. It is clear then that Augustin is the better shooter, and really even to just watch the two of them play on any given night that is clear.
With the Magic currently ranking 22nd in 3-point shooting (35.5 percent) and looking to improve that number going forward, it makes sense to keep Augustin around.
Just like it does for most of the categories we’ve covered, not to mention how he fits with the players currently on the roster as well, chalk this one up to Augustin too.
Next: 2017-18 Week 19 NBA Power Rankings
Verdict: Augustin