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NBA London 2016: Nikola Vucevic Q&A on the Orlando Magic & NBA London

By jamesplowright

ORLANDO, FL - DECEMBER 16: Nikola Vucevic #9 of the Orlando Magic goes to the basket against the Charlotte Hornets on December 16, 2015 at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2015 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL - DECEMBER 16: Nikola Vucevic #9 of the Orlando Magic goes to the basket against the Charlotte Hornets on December 16, 2015 at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2015 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Nikola Vucevic, Orlando Magic, Detroit Pistons, Brandon Jennings
Jan 21, 2015; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic (9) blocks a shot by Detroit Pistons guard Brandon Jennings (7) in the fourth quarter at The Palace of Auburn Hills. The Pistons won 128-118. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /

(Q): Can you explain what it’s like playing in the Eastern Conference? It’s pretty tough in the Eastern Conference this year, apart from the Spurs and the Warriors all the best teams seem to be in the East this time around.

Vucevic: Yeah it’s really close right now in the East, a lot of teams are playing good basketball and, if you look at the standings, there’s a long way to go before the end of the season when the standings really matter for the playoffs.

But like I said earlier you win one or two games and you’re going to be second in the division and if you lose one or two you’re going to be out of the playoffs and I think that’s great because every game matters now and you can’t relax for any game. Every game is kind of a must-win situation for every team in the East. I think it’s great for basketball, because we have to go out there and play our best every night.

There are a lot of good teams so there’s gonna be a lot of good games, a lot of close games and I think it’s going to bring the best out of every player and every team.

In the Eastern Conference, there are so many better teams this year compared to last year when so many people were talking about the East being much weaker than the West, and this year that has changed. The East is a much better conference now compared to last year and I think it will be a great contest until the end of the year.

(Q): What sort of challenge do the Raptors represent at the game in London?

Vucevic: The Raptors are a team we’ve struggled against the last few years. But this year was a very close game that we were able to win at the end. But they are a very good team. They are one of the best teams in our conference and one of the best teams in the NBA.

They have some very good players — Kyle Lowry, DeMar DeRozan, Jonas Valanciunas — so they are a good team. They have a lot of good guys who come off the bench and provide a boost so it will be a tough matchup for us against them.

Every time we play them it’s a pretty close game and a pretty tough game so it will be a very good game for us to play against them in London as well. 

(Q): I understand you’re a Chelsea fan, are you going to try and watch Chelsea when you come over and why Chelsea?

Vucevic: I would like to watch a game when I go, hopefully. I think they do play while we’re there, so hopefully I’ll have time go watch a game or I can at least see a practice or meet up with the players.

One of my favorite players, Eden Hazard, is there. He’s great. When I was little I just picked them. In Europe, football [soccer] is a massive sport so you have to pick a team in every country.

Sadly this season is not so great, I know Chelsea isn’t where all the fans want it to be, but I’m sure they’ll make progress by the end of the season and hopefully in the Champions League they can do some more damage. 

(Q): How do you plan on taking on Jonas Valuncunias on both sides of the court when you come to London?

Vucevic: We’ve played quite a few times now since we’ve been in the NBA, and also we’ve played against each other in our international teams so he’s a guy I know very well.

He’s a very good player, somebody that has improved a lot since he came to the NBA. He’s a huge guy, he takes up a lot of space [and is a] tough matchup. We always have good matchups against each other and good games so it’ll be fun to go up against him.

Next: Mario Hezonja is getting better and more comfortable

Keep checking back at Orlando Magic Daily  for the latest NBA news from London in advance of the Raptors vs. Magic game on Jan. 14. If you have any questions for the Magic players or coaches hit me up on Twitter @JPlowright_NBA.