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Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic named to NBA All-Star team

By Philip Rossman-Reich

BROOKLYN, NY - JANUARY 23: Nikola Vucevic #9 of the Orlando Magic drives to the basket during the game against the Brooklyn Nets on January 23, 2019 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images)
BROOKLYN, NY - JANUARY 23: Nikola Vucevic #9 of the Orlando Magic drives to the basket during the game against the Brooklyn Nets on January 23, 2019 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic was named a NBA All-Star, becoming the team’s first All-Star representative since Dwight Howard in 2012.

Nikola Vucevic was named to the NBA All-Star team Thursday, becoming the first Orlando Magic player to reach the game since Dwight Howard in 2012 and the eighth All-Star player in franchise history.

Nikola Vucevic entered Thursday’s game averaging 20.7 points per game, 12.0 rebounds per game and 3.8 assists per game. All are career-high marks. His improvement as a shooter and as the central focus of the Magic has helped the team stay in the Playoff race longer than any team he had been before.

That is probably of little solace. The Magic are fading in the Playoff race, entering Thursday’s game losing seven of the last eight games. At 20-31, the team is 4.5 games out of the final Playoff spot.

Vucevic’s addition to the All-Star Game is a nice prize for a franchise that has been hungry for any kind of national attention lately.

The Magic did not have any representatives at All-Star Weekend last year after Aaron Gordon withdrew from the dunk contest. Only Aaron Gordon and Victor Oladipo‘s dunk contest performances have stood out for the Magic at All-Star Weekend since the rebuild began (all due respect to Elfrid Payton getting beat at the buzzer in the Skills Competition).

Vucevic is more than worthy of the honor though. His numbers are among the best in the league for a lot of categories. Especially for big men. He is third in the league among centers in assists and his passing and shooting have been key to the Magic’s (albeit limited) success this season.

Orlando has a +1.0 net rating with Vucevic on the floor. Only D.J. Augustin has a better mark. Considering the team is near the bottom of the league in net rating — -3.7 overall — Vucevic is clearly a vital part to the team.

His individual play has certainly made the Magic a much better team.

"“To play in an All-Star game is an incredible honor,” coach Steve Clifford said before Thursday’s game. “No matter what, we’re all here because of them. They are the best. If you take this group, it’s an amazing honor to make an All-Star Game.”"

Vucevic joins that elite group of players now.

Along with Vucevic, former Orlando Magic guard and Indiana Pacers guard Oladipo made the team for the second time. Oladipo is out after rupturing his quad in a game last year. The commissioner will name a replacement.

Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry, Philadelphia 76ers forward Ben Simmons, Milwaukee Bucks forward Khris Middleton, Detroit Pistons forward Blake Griffin and Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal make up the other players on the All-Star reserves roster from the Eastern Conference.

The Western Conference reserves are made up of Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook, Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson, New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis, Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns, San Antonio Spurs forward LaMarcus Aldridge, Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard and Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic.

Next. No Orlando Magic players named to Rising Stars Challenge roster. dark

Team captains Giannis Antetokounmpo and LeBron James will select their teams on Feb. 7 on TNT.