Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic soaks it all in first All-Star appearance

Nikola Vucevic went to his first NBA All-Star Game and looked the part of a first-timer. He was soaking in the whole experience and showing he belonged.

The whole weekend probably went in a flash for Nikola Vucevic.

His family was there and there were plenty of events and appearances he had to make. He was probably pulled in a whole bunch of different directions.

The All-Star Game is less about the game and the events themselves and more about the business that gets done (see: Aaron Gordon‘s Red Lobster ad during the Dunk Contest). And that time to relax and reset before the Playoff chase.

The whole experience of being in Charlotte for the All-Star Game to play in Sunday’s main event had to be a bit surreal. It was a lot to process personally.

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Nikola Vucevic’s presence in the All-Star Game was deserved. He has averaged 20.5 points per game, 12.1 rebounds per game and 3.8 assists per game. All career highs. And, more importantly, the Orlando Magic are in the Playoff hunt at the All-Star Break.

Vucevic’s All-Star bid is an individual recognition of his skills and a recognition of how improved his team has been too.

In his first trip to the All-Star Game, it was easy to see how much he was soaking it all in. Enjoying it knowing his family was present and knowing he was the first big national representation in the Sunday game for the Magic in seven years.

A lot of it for Vucevic might have been not knowing what to expect. The stage was — literally — huge. And there was a new weight in carrying himself there for the first time and also representing the city he has played for the last seven years.

Vucevic will not make many highlight reels. The All-Star Game is not built for a player like Vucevic. Centers do not fare well in this highlight fest. And there was definitely a sense of nervousness in his limited minutes.

He scored four points and grabbed five rebounds, adding two assists in less than 12 minutes of play.

Vucevic’s first basket was a thing of beauty. After corralling a loose ball along the baseline, he turned and drove on Karl-Anthony Towns, sending a running hook over him into the basket.

The second half saw him play with a lot more activity. He was able to collect more rebounds and get more involved in the offense. Ever unselfish, Nikola Vucevic dished the ball to D’Angelo Russell twice for 3-pointers.

And, naturally, his second shot was a tip in. A staple of Vucevic’s game.

No one should expect Vucevic to give much effort defensively — no one else was. He still collected a steal and had some nice moments. Although he was not about to get into anyone’s posts as he sometimes does during the season.

This was about being at the game and getting his first experience of the big time.

He is not one of the marquee stars. He is not someone even in the regular season who can take over a game off the bounce like Giannis Antetokounmpo or All-Star MVP Kevin Durant can. That was clear before he stepped onto the floor with them as colleagues and teammates.

But he left the floor as their colleague and teammate. Vucevic accorded himself well and did his job while on the floor. He did what he has always done with the Magic. He set screens and made the right play.

If the All-Star Game brings out your best on the biggest stage, Vucevic did that in a lot of ways. Not in every way, of course. Vucevic did not get enough pick and rolls run for him to pick and pop and show off the 3-point shooting. That might be disappointing.

It might be more disappointing that it ended so quickly.

His run in the Taco Bell Skills Competition was over before it really began. He missed a 3-pointer and his Team Giannis teammate Nikola Jokic made his.

His 12 minutes of action in the All-Star Game were the second fewest on Team Giannis behind only Dirk Nowitzki. That was expected but it was over so quickly.

Still, Vucevic was there with all those players. He was on the court delivering a secondary assist to Nowitzki, a hero of his growing up in Switzerland and Belgium and Montenegro and someone who seemingly made the NBA dream possible for so many.

Vucevic shared a locker room with his idol. He hung out with him — as well as other international players like Nikola Jokic and Luka Doncic — during All-Star Saturday Night.

That is all part of the experience. Players get to rub shoulders with the very best. Vucevic is now a member of this club.

Vucevic will likely feel comfortable with the whole process and goings on of the game the next time he gets the invite. If he ever gets the invite again. Vucevic’s career shows how hard it is for a player in his position to get there. And his future is uncertain with his free agency this summer. A new situation may take him out of All-Star consideration.

This time around? He soaked in the entire experience. He represented himself and his team well.

Now let’s get back to work.

It would have been nice to see Vucevic win — especially against Jokic who was a favorite to take home the prize. But someone has to go out first. It was Vucevic. And this is a make-or-miss competition.

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Nikola Vucevic did not get much opportunity to do anything in the Taco Bell Skills Challenge. He completed every obstacle quickly (comparatively) and on the first try. Showing no problem getting the chest pass through the target is no easy feat. Who knows what would have happened if they had kept the bounce pass, right?

Nikola Vucevic got to the layup before Nikola Jokic and was in the lead heading into the 3-point shot. That gave Vucevic the first crack at the pull-up three. He missed and Jokic made and his night was over.

It would have been nice to see Vucevic win — especially against Jokic who was a favorite to take home the prize. But someone has to go out first. It was Vucevic. And this is a make-or-miss competition.