Orlando Magic Daily
Fansided

Nikola Vucevic not among top 10 in NBA All-Star voting

By Philip Rossman-Reich

NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 11: Nikola Vucevic #9 of the Orlando Magic shoots the ball against the New York Knicks on November 11, 2018 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 11: Nikola Vucevic #9 of the Orlando Magic shoots the ball against the New York Knicks on November 11, 2018 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Nikola Vucevic has done plenty to receive All-Star consideration. But in the first returns of All-Star voting, he is not among the top-10 votegetters.

For the first time in six years, the Orlando Magic legitimately might have an All-Star candidate.

Sure, Nikola Vucevic felt like he was pretty close in 2015 and Arron Afflalo had a case in 2014 and even Glen Davis tried to start a campaign in 2013 before breaking his arm. But in all those cases, the Magic were well out of the Playoff race by the time the coaches made their decision.

This year is different. The Magic are in the Playoff hunt and have just as good a chance as any of the teams in the race to make the field of eight — someone has to. And that gives the Magic’s best player, Nikola Vucevic, a good chance to make it.

Earning an All-Star starters bid was always going to be tough for Vucevic with the fans comprising 50 percent of the starter’s vote. Vucevic’s best bet remains to get in on the coach’s vote.

Still, it is surprising to see him get virtually no love from the fans. Or relatively no love from the fans.

The NBA released its first returns of NBA All-Star voting and Vucevic was not among the top 10 votegetters in the frontcourt. Players like Gordon Hayward and even Vince Carter rank ahead of Nikola Vucevic.

It is disappointing, to say the least, but not all that surprising. Vucevic is not about to win any popularity contests. And that is what All-Star voting is.

Currently, the Eastern Conference All-Stars have Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kawhi Leonard and Joel Embiid starting in the frontcourt with Kyrie Irving and Dwyane Wade starting in the backcourt.

This could be interesting because if Wade gets a starting spot, that would take away a spot on the bench for Vucevic. His candidacy, while legitimate, is on the edge for making it on the team.

Vucevic has turned in a stellar year for the Magic and the best season of his career so far. He is averaging 20.3 points, 11.8 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game while shooting a 56.8 percent effective field goal percentage and 59.2 percent true shooting percentage, a career-high mark.

More importantly, he has helped push the Magic into Playoff positioning. Entering Thursday’s games, the Orlando Magic are 0.5 games behind the Detroit Pistons for the final spot in the Playoffs. Teams 6-10 in the Eastern Conference are separated by 1.5 games, creating a potentially tight and exciting race for the final Playoff spots.

It might be something of a race to .500 with how well those teams are playing, but someone has to make it in. The Magic are putting in their bid.

And Vucevic is a big reason why. His stellar play has certainly earned All-Star consideration. And while the Magic are winning, Vucevic will have a chance to get in.

Next. How to vote Nikola Vucevic into the NBA All-Star Game. dark

He will have to wait and see if the Eastern Conference coaches agree in a few weeks.