Orlando Magic Power Rankings Roundup: Signs of progress
Marc Stein, ESPN.com
. (48-13). Previous: . San Antonio Spurs. 1. team. 29
Phoenix Suns. 25. team. 66. . (21-42). Previous:
38. . (23-40). Previous: . Orlando Magic. 26. team
"It has been that kind of season: Nikola Vucevic records his fifth 25-point game of the 2016-17 campaign to lead the Magic to a surprising win over scorching Miami in the latest Florida derby — and then has to sit out the next game because of Achilles soreness. Vucevic tested the foot in pregame warm-ups but ultimately watched Orlando suffer a painful one-point defeat in the nation’s capital against one of the East’s best teams. The Magic led by 16 at the half and would have clinched the season series with the Wiz for the first time since 2011-12 had they hung on. #thatkindofseason"
27. team. 27. . (25-38). Previous: . New York Knicks
Nikola Vucevic‘s play since Serge Ibaka‘s trade has been nothing short of inspiring. He has returned to his strong offensive play while still maintaining some great defensive performances.
In five games since the Magic traded Ibaka, Vucevic is averaging 19.2 points per game and 10.4 rebounds per game. He is shooting 45.2 percent from the floor in that time. It has been a breath of fresh air to see Vucevic reinvigorated like this.
And his defense remains stellar. This season, Vucevic has recorded 2.6 defensive win shares, near his career high with just a quarter of the season remaining. He has a 2.5 defensive box plus minus. Essentially, because of Vucevic’s contributions, the Magic are 2.5 points per 100 possessions better than having an average player in his place.
Regardless of how this number comes about or how it is formulated or what goes into it, even if his impact is less than this number suggests, Vucevic has been a positive defensively.
As Stein says above, it figures that Vucevic now has to hit the shelf with a sore Achilles. Vucevic said he initially hurt it against the Dallas Mavericks a few weeks ago (before the trade deadline). He also went down late against the New York Knicks last week. It was enough to sideline him after he put in a heroic performance against the Miami Heat.