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Over the last three years, the three-point shot has been used by the Orlando Magic as one of the primary weapons of choice in their offensive attack. There are many critics that bemoan head coach Stan Van Gundy‘s dependence of the three-pointer in the Magic’s philosophy on offense, yet they ignore the fact that threes are one of the most efficient shots in basketball — to be more specific, the corner three.
Why take a long two?
It’s no coincidence, then, that Orlando led the NBA in three-pointers made and attempted, while also putting up less shots from 16-23 feet than any other team. It should be noted that the Houston Rockets, noted for their basketball analytics, were second in the latter category. The Magic, too, dedicate themselves to the numbers, so there’s a method to the madness when it comes to their three-point happy ways.
A lot of people assume that the method primarily surrounds just chucking up threes and seeing what happens, but that’s not the case. Orlando makes an effort to seek out the corner three-pointer when executing some of their sets offensively. It’s why the Boston Celtics, in the 2010 NBA Eastern Conference Finals, made sure to not allow the Magic to get those shots.
It’s an easy thing to overlook because nearly everyone remembers the end result when it comes to certain plays. But like Bret “Hitman” Hart, Orlando takes pride in the excellence of execution. There is a grand design taking place when the Magic go through the motions on each possession on offense, trying to find the optimum shot to take as the situation presents itself.
How does Orlando maneuver the offense to create corner three-point shots?
Usually either from kick-outs in 4-out/1-in offensive sets or drive-and-kicks in pick and rolls.
The key for the Magic in manufacturing corner threes is the ball movement. When reversing the basketball from side to side on the perimeter, the passing must be crisp or else the shooters for Orlando are going to be hoisting a lot of contested three-pointers, which are low percentage shots.
The Celtics’ strategy of staying home on players like Rashard Lewis allowed them to win the series, but it’s easier said than done. If there’s one team in the 2010 NBA Playoffs that learned the hard way, it was the Atlanta Hawks. Head coach Mike Woodson’s switching defense got, dare I say, flat-out butchered.
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Example 1:
Jameer Nelson and Dwight Howard execute a 1/5 pick and roll. The penetration by Nelson is enough for Lewis to get an open look at a corner three, even though Al Horford is running at him with his hands in the air.
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Example 2:
On this possession, J.J. Redick runs a 2/5 pick and roll with Howard. This is a prime example of the Magic’s ability to reverse the basketball in the blink of an eye. Two passes and Mickael Pietrus does the rest, swishing the three-pointer.
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Example 3:
Same as Example 1.
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Example 4:
Same as Examples 2 and 3.
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Example 5:
This is a 4-out/1-in offensive set for Howard. It’s concert in motion. Josh Smith double-teams Howard … sort of. As that is happening, Matt Barnes cuts to the basket and forces Joe Johnson to rotate on him. Howard kicks the ball out to Lewis and Vince Carter sets himself up for a three-point shot. Johnson tries to recover and put a hand in Carter’s face, but it’s not good enough.
In games, this is a common result for the Magic.
