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Nikola Vucevic admits frustrations with last year, love of Orlando, Orlando Magic

By Philip Rossman-Reich

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - APRIL 3: Nikola Vucevic #9 of the Orlando Magic shoots the ball against the Minnesota Timberwolves on April 3, 2015 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 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 2015 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - APRIL 3: Nikola Vucevic #9 of the Orlando Magic shoots the ball against the Minnesota Timberwolves on April 3, 2015 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 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 2015 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Nikola Vucevic admitted to BasketUSA he was frustrated with his play last season. But he doubled down his commitment to bringing the Orlando Magic back.

Nikola Vucevic for the last five years has had the most difficult task of any player. He has remained the biggest fixture of the Orlando Magic’s rebuild. A rebuild that has not gone well the last five years.

The Magic acquired Vucevic as part of the Dwight Howard trade and he has played throughout the entire frustrating rebuild. Vucevic has remained the most consistent producer for the team — averaging 15.9 points and 10.7 rebounds per game.

Vucevic has been dependable for a double double throughout his career with the Magic. Given the opportunity to play, unlike his rookie year with the Philadelphia 76ers, he has shown a deft touch in the post and a great mid-range jumper. He may not have the defensive chops or athleticism it seems the game calls for from modern centers. But Vucevic produces at a high level.

Still, Vucevic has become a symbol for the entire rebuild. Magic fans certainly appreciate his efforts and production the last few years. But it is still hard not to think and wonder more.

Last season, especially, seemed to be a frustrating one for Vucevic. It left him in a precarious position with the team, it seems. With the Magic changing management and getting new eyes on the roster, and Vucevic’s extremely team-friendly deal (two years left with $25 million left), there is still plenty of talk of moving Vucevic. And his year in 2017 seemed only to increase those calls.

Like the fans, Vucevic was frustrated with the way he performed, in addition to how the team performed as a whole last year.

Vucevic spoke to Anthony Ottou of the French publication BasketUSA and said he sometimes let his frustration get to him last season. But he expressed optimism about next year and his hopes that he remains with the Magic long term:

"“It’s very difficult to finish the season in April, to watch the Playoffs on television,” Vucevic said (translated from French by Google Translate). “And on top of that, you play seasons with 25-30 victories. Last year was one of the toughest seasons of my career. But this year we will see. There is a new GM. I think the new people who joined the organization are people who can help Orlando to regain [its pride]. People often ask me why I do not leave, how I do not agree to play the playoffs, I reply that I am so good in Orlando that I do not want to leave.“It’s so special to play a whole career in the same franchise and do everything to bring it back to the forefront. Putting Orlando back among the best Eastern Conference teams is my number one goal. Currently, it’s a bad [spot] but I know better days are coming. I want to be there to see again the fans smile, I want them to say ‘OK, Nikola Vucevic was there when the team was in the bottom of the conference and now he is with us to play the Playoffs.’ I think we have talent, they are just details, and I hope we can do it as soon as possible.”"

That is the kind of cautious optimism other players have said about the team as they begin looking forward to the 2018 season.

For Vucevic, like so many, the 2017 season was one to forget.

Vucevic averaged only 14.6 points per game, nearly four points per game worse than the year before. He shot just 46.8 percent from the floor. It was the first time he shot worse than 50 percent from the floor since joining the Magic. It seems the Magic’s emphasis on adding more post players pushed Vucevic away from the basket and into his reliable mid-range jumper.

To be sure, the Magic will hope Vucevic can situate himself closer to the basket and work for more post ups. He also saw a sharp decrease in post ups last year.

Vucevic said he lost his temper a bit throughout last season and was quick to get frustrated and angry. It was a season he does not want to relive. There are a lot of members of the Magic who would probably agree.

The saving grace for Vucevic was he truly enjoys being in Orlando. He said he hopes to be on the team for a long time.

In the interview with BasketUSA, Vucevic also talked about his friendship with teammate Evan Fournier. He described Evan Fournier as a “real friend” which he said is difficult to find in sports. He said it helped him personally to have Fournier on the team so they could share their disappointment in their own and their team’s play last year.

It should help them both work to get the team closer to the Playoffs this coming year.

Vucevic also talked about Montenegro and his hopes for the upcoming Eurobasket. He said he believes Montenegro can advance out of the group stage and into the knockout round.

Next: Orlando Magic must expect much from themselves

That may be a tall order for Montenegro. But if they do so, it will largely be on Vucevic’s back. And that could set him up for a strong season this year.