The Magic Insider

Magic 'Need' Volume Shooting; Rookie Jett Howard the Solution?

The Orlando Magic were among the NBA's worst shooting teams last season, but can it find the solution from rookie guard Jett Howard?

Riley Sheppard

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The Orlando Magic saw exactly what it drafted in Michigan guard Jett Howard on Wednesday night - a knockdown shooter capable of creating offense in a variety of ways. 

Howard, the No. 11 overall pick in last month's draft, finished the loss against the New York Knicks with 22 points - including 19 in the first half - on four of eight shooting from three-point range. 

And for a team that struggled mightily to shoot the basketball last season, the addition of a consistent three-level scorer at that caliber would be a huge addition. 

"What Orlando didn't have, though, was a great shooting season," Bleacher Report writes. "Not by any stretch. The Magic were a bottom-third shooting team from the field (47 percent, 21st) and from three (34.6, 24th) and a bottom-half shooting team at the line (78.4, 16th).

"Who is going to dramatically improve those percentages. Lottery pick Jett Howard could help if he finds meaningful minutes, but shooting is far from the strongest skill possessed by the team's top pick, Anthony Black. No one on the roster shoots at a high volume from three (Franz Wagner and Gary Harris led the team with 4.5 attempts apiece), and only a few post strong percentages from range."

Howard's offensive explosion comes off the heels of back-to-back shooting struggles against the Indiana Pacers and Detroit Pistons. But with an emphasis on perimeter shooting this offseason, the Magic may have just witnessed the first glimpse at that roster void. 

Howard and Orlando is back on the court tonight against the Portland Trail Blazers. Tipoff is scheduled for 9:00 p.m. 

You can follow Riley Sheppard on Twitter @RileyDSheppard.

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Riley Sheppard
RILEY SHEPPARD

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