Orlando Magic Daily
Fansided

The Orlando Magic look for the face of their franchise

By Sam Skubala

The Orlando Magic's Nikola Vucevic (9), Aaron Gordon (00), and Evan Fournier (10) celebrate with seconds left on the clock in a 100-93 win against the Brooklyn Nets at the Amway Center in Orlando, Fla., on Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2015. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel/TNS via Getty Images)
The Orlando Magic's Nikola Vucevic (9), Aaron Gordon (00), and Evan Fournier (10) celebrate with seconds left on the clock in a 100-93 win against the Brooklyn Nets at the Amway Center in Orlando, Fla., on Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2015. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel/TNS via Getty Images) /
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Nikola Vucevic, Evan Fournier, Orlando Magic
MIAMI, FL – APRIL 10: Hassan Whiteside #21 of the Miami Heat fights for the position against Nikola Vucevic #9 and Evan Fournier #10 of the Orlando Magic during the game on April 10, 2016 at AmericanAirlines Arena in Miami, 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 2016 NBAE (Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images) /

The Honorable Mentions

Nikola Vucevic

Looking at stats alone, the obvious candidate to be the “face of the franchise” is Nikola Vucevic. The Magic center is a nightly double-double threat and the only player on the roster capable of putting up 25-plus points on any given night consistently.

He also has something of a social media presence. Known for stone-faced stoicism (if prone to frustration) on the court, he also comments online regarding his love for soccer, and in particular, Italian giants Juventus:

He is also a noted Star Wars fan and brings some of his dry sense of humor online.

Yet unfortunately, Vucevic is not the “face of the franchise” while arguably being the team’s most productive player.

While he shoots well for a big man, his game is far from flashy, and somewhat inefficient. Furthermore, he is neither a great defensive player nor a good team leader. And it seems like fans are always calling for his replacement at some level.

Evan Fournier

The other honorable mention is Vucevic’s fellow European teammate Evan Fournier. Fournier has emerged as the Magic’s top scorer last season, averaging 17.2 points per game.

Like Vucevic, he also has a presence online, having developed something of a fun rivalry with Ronnie Singh, better known as Ronnie2K over his 2K avatar:

Yet like Vucevic, Fournier fails to be the team’s “face.”

Last year saw the swingman struggled immensely on defense as the entire team did. Fournier too struggled to make his teammates better as he took on a larger offensive role. His efficiency declined as he became the focus of opponents every game. Fans often complain Fournier was a bit of a ball hog, although some of that might be a necessity with the poor roster construction.

His game also lacks flash — even if he is a competent three-point shooter.