Orlando Magic Daily
Fansided

Ranking the Orlando Magic’s best performances at the All-Star Game

By Philip Rossman-Reich

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - FEBRUARY 17: Bradley Beal #3 of the Washington Wizards and Team LeBron shoots against Nikola Vu?evi? #9 of the Orlando Magic and Team Giannis during the NBA All-Star game as part of the 2019 NBA All-Star Weekend at Spectrum Center on February 17, 2019 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Team LeBron won 178-164. 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. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - FEBRUARY 17: Bradley Beal #3 of the Washington Wizards and Team LeBron shoots against Nikola Vu?evi? #9 of the Orlando Magic and Team Giannis during the NBA All-Star game as part of the 2019 NBA All-Star Weekend at Spectrum Center on February 17, 2019 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Team LeBron won 178-164. 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. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 12
Next
Nikola Vucevic, NBA All-Star Game
CHARLOTTE, NC – FEBRUARY 17: Nikola Vucevic #9 of Team Giannis drives to the basket during the 2019 NBA All-Star Game on February 17, 2019 at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. 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 Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) /

17. 2019 Nikola Vucevic

4 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 2/2 FGs

Nikola Vucevic is not built for the NBA All-Star Game. He is not overly athletic or physically imposing. He is not going to break anyone down off the dribble or sky high for massive alley-oops. His game is one of solid play and consistency. Those things do not go well in an All-Star Game.

Considering also that the Orlando Magic have not been in the spotlight much, this was a big stage for Vucevic to be in.

Vucevic’s career has simply been a workmanlike endeavor. And that was what his first All-Star Game appearance was like.

Clearly a bit nervous in the first half of the game standing on the stage with those stars, it took him a while to find comfort. There were also simply not enough minutes to go around for all the big men in Team Giannis’ lineups.

Vucevic got his feet wet in the All-Star Game with a second-quarter running hook. It was a pretty move, not one he might bring out in a regular game. So he had his All-Star moment.

He looked calmer and more comfortable in the second half. He grabbed a few more rebounds and was more aggressive getting the ball. That helped get others involved as he fed D’Angelo Russell for two assists and tipped in an offensive rebound.

Vucevic is not a perennial All-Star. He will have to fight to make the game again in the future. But this was a good showing for a player like him in the game.