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Orlando Magic Player Evaluations: Nikola Vucevic

By Philip Rossman-Reich

Apr 8, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic (9) boxes out Chicago Bulls forward Pau Gasol (16) during the second half at Amway Center. The Magic won 105-103. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 8, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic (9) boxes out Chicago Bulls forward Pau Gasol (16) during the second half at Amway Center. The Magic won 105-103. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /
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Best Game of 2015

Jan. 17 @ Bulls
33 pts., 16/24 FGs, 11 rebs., 1 murder

Nikola Vucevic’s best scoring output game was a 37-point, 17-rebound effort against the Timberwolves in Minnesota late in the season. He once again had his big 30-point, 15-plus-rebound games. They were just monstrous statistical performances.

Vucevic’s season and maybe some of the perception about him really turned on a January night in Chicago. Really on just one play.

The doubt on Vucevic has always been he lacks something of a killer instinct. Despite his gaudy statistical numbers, he lacks a toughness about him.

On one play, he took the ball, drove middle and threw down a vicious dunk on Pau Gasol, sending both to the ground. It was a gargantuan play and probably one of the top five plays in the Magic’s season.

The raw numbers are probably a little skewed since the Magic were playing at a crazy pace at that point of the season — trying to manufacture points and an identity at the middle of the season. Vucevic though delivered in this game. He held his own against Pau Gasol and outplayed him.

And at the end of the game, the Magic had one of their best wins of the season. And probably the biggest highlight of the season.

Next: 2016 Outlook