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Orlando Magic Top 30: The Most Popular Player in Orlando Magic history

By Philip Rossman-Reich

BOSTON, MA - 1994: Dennis Scott #3, Anfernee Hardaway #1, Shaquille O'Neal #32, Nick Anderson #25, and Jeff Turner #31 of the Orlando Magic return to the court during a game played circa 1994 at the Boston Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 1994 NBAE (Photo by Dick Raphael/NBAE via Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - 1994: Dennis Scott #3, Anfernee Hardaway #1, Shaquille O'Neal #32, Nick Anderson #25, and Jeff Turner #31 of the Orlando Magic return to the court during a game played circa 1994 at the Boston Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 1994 NBAE (Photo by Dick Raphael/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Nikola Vucevic, Orlando Magic, LA Clippers
LOS ANGELES, CA – JANUARY 11: Nikola Vucevic #9 of the Orlando Magic handles the ball against the LA Clippers on January 11, 2017 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. 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 2017 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /

20. Nikola Vucevic (2013-Present)

Nikola Vucevic deserves some appreciation.

He had the unenviable task of following Dwight Howard as the team’s center. All as a young player who was still trying to prove himself. All while the team was going through a rebuild and seemed to lose direction.

Vucevic’s emergence as a reliable offensive player was probably a bit of a surprise. Rob Hennigan probably did not see Nikola Vucevic becoming a near All-Star (in some respects) and the team probably envisioned a few times when they would find his replacement. It felt like acquiring Bismacibk Biyombo and Serge Ibaka meant the end of Nikola Vucevic’s time in a Magic uniform.

Yet, Vucevic persisted. He kept producing — 16.0 points and 10.4 rebounds per game in his six seasons in Orlando. And no one was able to unseat him. Vucevic has been a constant during the last six years of the rebuild.

And perhaps that is why is unfairly maligned for the team’s inability to take the next step. Vucevic was never meant to be the team’s next great star. Yet, the team has asked him to go out and do that.

He has some severe limitations. Vucevic’s defense, as improved as it might be, has never been more than an average defender. And Orlando almost certainly drafted his replacement in Mohamed Bamba. It feels like his time in Orlando is coming to an end.

In the moment, it feels like Vucevic takes much of the blame for the team’s shortcomings. He is the constant of the worst run in Magic history.

That is ultimately unfair to him, although it might end up being his legacy from a long run in Magic history.

Hopefully, history remembers Vucevic for putting in his work and staying loyal to the team.