2016-17 Orlando Magic Player Evaluations: Nikola Vucevic

Final Grade

Everything was supposed to be pointing Vucevic’s way this season.

He had a supposed breakout year on offense last year. People had been clamoring for a rim protector to make up for his lack thereof the past few years. He finally got that in Serge Ibaka.

But it was proven you just cannot help him like that.

Individually, Vucevic made strides on the defensive end. He still will not ever be an elite rim protector, but he no longer is a complete liability on that end.

Offensively he is who he is whether fans want to admit it. Vucevic is a really good jump shooter from mid-range and a good passer.

Outside of that, his offensive game is fairly weak. He is not strong enough to take most guys down on the block. And when he gets there, he is not very effective.

In the pick and roll, he continues to prove the roll is technically optional. He will set a half-hearted pick and then he will pop most of the time. Teams rarely have to worry about the roll and it hurts Orlando’s offense.

Now with six seasons under his belt, it is pretty fair to say we probably know what kind of player Vucevic is. He is a good volume scoring big to have off the bench. Which he actually showed this year. His numbers as a reserve and a starter were nearly identical.

Next: 2017 Orlando Magic Season Review: A season of miscalculations

He still is not good enough defensively and probably is not physically capable of defending the elite athletes at point guard. Ultimately, that will continue to hold him back.