For some NBA teams, the 3-point shot is an occasional weapon. For others, it is a last resort. For the Orlando Magic, the long-range bomb is sustenance, a way of life.
Since Stan Van Gundy took over as head coach five seasons ago, the Magic have pinned their fortunes on the dominant inside play of All-Star Dwight Howard and the efficient outside play from a host of sharp shooters. It has been a winning formula. A match made in NBA heaven.
Howard has piled up big individual numbers and the accolades that deservedly go along with them. Orlando’s outside shooters have capitalized by cashing in on open looks from beyond the 3-point line.
Consider this: Since 2007 the Magic have made 3,717 threes, as of Thursday. Next closest is New York with 3,153.
Not only have the Magic taken and made more 3s than any team the last five years, they have also connected on a high percentage (37.8 percent) of long-range shots. Only Phoenix (38.6 percent) and San Antonio (38.1 percent) have hit a better percentage since 2007.
Of the most prolific 3-point shooting teams in NBA history, the past four Magic squads occupy four of the top eight spots, including the 2009-10 team that holds the record with 841 made 3s. If not for this being a shortened season, this year’s team would also be on track to land in the same lofty ranking.
The 2011-12 Magic once again lead the NBA in 3-pointers attempt (26.5 per game) and 3-pointers made (10.2 per game). Extrapolated for a full NBA season, the Magic would be on pace to knock down 834 3s, which would rank third all-time.
While all of these numbers are impressive, they are meaningless unless placed in the context of what is most important: wins and losses. And on that front, the Magic score big as well.
This season, Orlando (30-18) has the third-best record in the East, fifth-best overall. And over the course of the past five seasons, only the Los Angeles Lakers (265 wins) and the Boston Celtics (258 wins) have won more regular season games than the Orlando Magic (252 wins).
For five seasons, Dwight Howard has been the constant factor on the inside. On the outside, the players have changed through the years. In 2007, it was Rashard Lewis, Keith Bogans, Maurice Evans, Jameer Nelson and Hedo Turkoglu. In 2012, Nelson and Turkoglu are now joined by Ryan Anderson (who leads the NBA in 3-pointers attempted and made) J.J. Redick and Jason Richardson.
The names change, but not the results. Lots of scoring inside by Howard, 3-pointers raining in from the perimeter, and more often than not, results accumulating in the win column for the Magic.
