Why Nikola Vucevic deserves all the appreciation possible
Nikola Vucevic has been solid for four years in Orlando. Yet, he still fails to get notice even for a winning Orlando Magic team. It is time to change that.
The Orlando Magic are finally getting better and stronger, stealing more wins than losses for the first time since the Dwight Howard saga.
It has been a grueling process for players and fans and there is some relief and ecstasy in finally winning. General manager Rob Hennigan truly assembled a team of athletic, young and hungry players to make some magic.
However, one player that can never be glossed over is the one and only Nikola Vucevic.
Yes, the Magic have talented players in Victor Oladipo, Tobias Harris and more. Although, Vucevic has done the most for this new Magic team. He can no longer be ignored.
Turning the clocks back four years ago, the Magic made a trade for Nikola Vucevic and other pieces for Dwight Howard in a four-team deal. At first, this trade perplexed NBA fans and a few Magic fans. Dwight Howard at the time was the best center in the league, and it felt like the team traded him for scraps.
Fast forward four years later, the Magic have a bountiful amount of picks, future assets and a potential All Star in Nikola Vucevic.
At the time, Vucevic was seen nothing but a filler in the Dwight Howard deal — the unknown rookie meant to fill that void at center. Now he is easily one of the best centers in the entire league, and perhaps the best player in that four-team deal that kickstarted this rebuild.
Funny how things can turn out, even when they seem impossible at first.
Vucevic made his name known when he grabbed 29 rebounds against the Miami Heat on Dec. 31, 2012. After that, the rest was history.
While he is still not a big name in the NBA yet, he is a big name in Orlando.
This season, he has been averaging 17.3 points, 8.7 rebounds and 1.0 blocks per game. He had a slow start this season, but Vucevic is starting to pick it up and run with it now. He is one of the big reasons Orlando is 19-13, second in its division, and in fifth place in the Eastern Conference.
So, why is it possible Vucevic can be overlooked at times? He did not appear among the top-15 players in the first returns of All-Star ballots.
Well, ever since Oladipo was drafted, he was unofficially the franchise face of this team. He is a leader, he is exciting to watch, and he is kind of been the first thing you think of when you think “Orlando Magic.” For example, the San Antonio Spurs. When you think of them, you automatically think of Tim Duncan. However, as of now, Kawhi Leonard is the best player on that team. He is just quiet and low key, exactly like Nikola Vucevic.
Oladipo has much of the charisma teams look for in a franchise star. Vucevic is the quiet type, silently going about his work and putting up big numbers.
Overall, the Magic have plenty of players who can be fan favorites. Just remember, if it was not for Vucevic, the team would not be as far as it is now.
He has definitely been a glue guy to this Magic team, and he is only 25 years old.
Defensively he can still do some improving, but the Magic still have Dewayne Dedmon and Jason Smith backing him up whenever the team needs rim protection.
With the All-Star Game in Toronto coming up in February, Vucevic may find himself there for the first time in his career, voted in as a reserve by the coaches. And if he does not, that is okay.
Next: Passing has become key to the Orlando Magic offense
He still has a bright future ahead, just like his Magic squad.