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Orlando Magic: 3 goals for Terrence Ross in 2018-19

By Luke Duffy

NEW ORLEANS, LA - OCTOBER 30: Terrence Ross #31 of the Orlando Magic dunks the ball against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center on October 30, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - OCTOBER 30: Terrence Ross #31 of the Orlando Magic dunks the ball against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center on October 30, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images)
(Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) /

2. Lead team in 3-point shooting percentage

Ross was brought to the Magic because of his ability to shoot and heat up in a hurry if coming off the bench, but we didn’t get to see this at all last season. Again injury was the reason for this, but even before he went down Ross wasn’t lighting it up on the court.

This is frustrating because there was a period of five or so games when he came over from the Raptors back in 2016-17 at the trade deadline when the Magic were thriving off of his offensive skills. Particularly shooting.

At that time he opened up space and new possibilities for a roster that was rigid with traditional players. Last season however, Ross shot a disappointing 32.3 percent from deep. A career 37.1 percent shooter, this was the lowest percentage of his career.

Unsurprisingly, the 8.7 points he averaged per contest were second only to his rookie season as being the lowest output of his career to date.

Players devoid of any confidence like Mario Hezonja (33.7 percent) or a non-threat from deep in Elfrid Payton (a surprisingly good 37.3 percent) putting up better numbers than Ross.

The goal this season then is clearly to become better in this area, to the point where Ross is at least as solid as he has been for much of his career from deep. Really though he should be aiming higher than this, and should look to lead the Magic in 3-point percentage by season’s end.

This will be the most versatile roster that Ross has been a part of in Orlando and in theory the potential range of Isaac and Bamba, combined with Gordon’s mini-breakout season from deep himself last season (33.6 percent but he started the year blistering hot), means there will be more space for Ross to let his shots go.

Looking at the rest of the players on the team and there isn’t much by way of consistent 3-point shooting. The Magic ranked 28th (35.1 percent) in this category last year and if they want to have any hope of moving upwards, Ross needs to rediscover his shooting touch.

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