Nikola Vucevic gets his All-Star recognition, but winning is still what matters most

Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic got plenty of recognition and support form his teammates for his All-Star selection. But the win Thursday was bigger.

Nikola Vucevic was steeped in focus as the TNT broadcast started unveiling the NBA All-Stars. The national anthem was about to go on the court at the Amway Center and there was a game ahead.

Before the singer could start, he said two of the Orlando Magic’s media representatives caught his attention. They were celebrating and he knew. He looked to his parents in the crowd and gave them a nod to confirm to them.

He was an All-Star.

Nikola Vucevic’s teammates would find out officially as Magic public address announcer Paul Porter introduced the starting lineup.

“Seven-foot center from USC and Montenegro… and just named a NBA All-Star Nikola Vucevic!”

His teammates raised their hands in celebration as Vucevic had achieved something he had worked so hard for and the team gained a measure of representation and notice nationally it has not had in six years.

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The Magic would again recognize Vucevic with a video montage and a “Congrats Vooch” message on the video board in the arena during the second quarter. That garnered another round of applause from his teammates, cheers from the Amway Center crowd and an uplifted arm of appreciation from Vucevic himself.

For Vucevic it was the culmination of a lot of hard work and toiling in anonymity. But it was also a reward for the work he and his teammates have put in this year. A small measure of progress for a franchise struggling to find its way.

"“Obviously, I made it, but my team helped me so much get to this level this season,” Vucevic said after the game. “My teammates believed in me all season long. The new coaching staff pushed me to play even better. As much as it is an individual award, it’s a team award. I will be representing the whole organization there, my teammates and the city of Orlando. I’m proud of that.”"

But there was another task at hand for the Magic to accomplish. One that means a lot more to Vucevic and the team than the recognition Vucevic will receive in Charlotte in two weeks.

The Magic needed a win.

It was another typical Vucevic performance. He scored 17 points on 8-for-15 shooting with 10 rebounds and five assists. It was hardly the stellar performance that got him to this point.

Orlando relied on other players down the stretch to get the win. Terrence Ross especially came up big in the fourth quarter to secure the win. Vucevic worked as the facilitator for that moment and did a good job challenging shots in the paint to help the Magic pull away and secure a much-needed victory.

It was something of a relief to finally get the news and go out and play. He thanked the support his teammates gave him. And his teammates were 100 percent behind him.

"“I want that because he deserves it,” Evan Fournier said. “He is my friend and stuff, but like I said, outside of [Joel] Embiid he is the best big out there. So how can you not select him? I was worried about the wins and losses and where we are in the standings and Orlando being a small market. Obviously, it went through.”"

Vucevic is more than deserving for an All-Star berth.

He entered Thursday’s game averaging 20.7 points per game, 12.0 rebounds per game and 3.8 assists per game. All are career highs. Only seven players in the entire league are averaging 20 points per game, 10 rebounds per game and three assists per game this season. All seven of those players are All-Stars.

The Magic are only better with D.J. Augustin on the floor this season. And the two often share the court. Orlando has needed Vucevic on the floor desperately to have any kind of success.

Vucevic knows the last thing missing in his Magic legacy. That is the thing he wants most right now.

Getting All-Star recognition is a small sign the team is taking steps in that direction. Indiana Pacers coach Nate McMillan said before the game he took the team’s record into consideration as he filled out his All-Star ballot. But that Vucevic was still a part of the consideration.

The team still has work to do to get itself out of the hole and back into serious Playoff discussion.

But Thursday was a moment to enjoy the rare accomplishment of making the All-Star team and a player who has done a lot of work to get himself there.

"“It’s a special night for us as a team, not just for Vuc,” D.J. Augustin said. “It’s well deserved. Vuc is playing great this season. He has been carrying us this season. I have been playing with Vuc for three year now and he feels like a brother to me. To see him get such a great award and accomplishment, it means a lot to me personally.”"

That kind of respect in the locker room is universal for Vucevic. That kind of respect is probably what had the coaches including him on their ballots and get him to the game as he continues this career season.

That feeling of respect is felt as the team celebrated both the win and Vucevic after the game. Terrence Ross probably said it best, Nikola Vucevic is everyone’s friend.

It certainly would not have felt the same in that locker room without the win. The win only confirmed the thrill of the achievement.

Regardless of what happens to Vucevic beyond this year — and perhaps even in the next week — he has worked hard to get this honor. He has dong amazing work for the Magic and played his best to get the best results.

This award is the culmination of all that effort and hard work. It is more than deserved. And it is certainly earned.

Vucevic certainly took some time to celebrate and reflect. But the task is still at hand that he and the Magic need to win first and foremost.

"“The winning takes care of everything,” Vucevic said. “It brings everything that you need as an individual as well. I know lately, we have not had success the last two weeks. But I really feel like we are not far away. For the most part this season, I thought we played well. We’re right there. Things can change real quickly. We have a group of guys who believe we can make it.”"

That journey to try to make up those four games that separate the Orlando Magic from the Charlotte Hornets and the final Playoff spot will begin again Saturday with a big game against the Brooklyn Nets at Amway Center.

The team has not yet given up on the fight.

But until then, Vucevic will probably enjoy the celebrations with his family and the bottle of champagne with congratulatory balloons left in his locker after the game.

It is what an All-Star would do.