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2016-17 Orlando Magic Player Evaluations: Nikola Vucevic

By Zach Palmer

Mar 3, 2017; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic (9) drives to the basket as Miami Heat forward James Johnson (16) defends during the first quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 3, 2017; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic (9) drives to the basket as Miami Heat forward James Johnson (16) defends during the first quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Best Game of 2017

Jan. 13 vs Trail Blazers
30 Points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal, 2 blocks 13/18 FGs

This game is the game Nikola Vucevic truthers will point to when they claim he is a franchise center. Vucevic was absolutely outstanding this game on both ends of the court.

On offense Vucevic had Mason Plumlee overmatched all game. His jumper was falling. He was going to the post and showing off the footwork he showed flashes of last season. Vucevic rebounded well and even made the right reads when it came to passing the rock.

But all of those things pale in comparison to how great his defense was in the pick and roll against Damian Lillard. This game really made me reconsider what Vucevic’s defensive ceiling was. His hands disrupted the pick and roll, and he was also able to recover well against Lillard.

Lillard is one of the more explosive point guards in the league and one of its best pick-and-roll players. If Vucevic was able to contain the pick and roll in this game why can’t he do it most nights?

That is an answer I do not really think will be answered. But Vucevic did it for this game and was better throughout the season at this supposed weakness.