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Forging the Future: What the Orlando Magic should do with Nikola Vucevic

By Zach Palmer

TORONTO, CANADA - APRIL 23: Nikola Vucevic #9 of the Orlando Magic talks at the press conference after Game Five of Round One of the 2019 NBA Playoffs against the Toronto Raptors on April 23, 2019 at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 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 Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
TORONTO, CANADA - APRIL 23: Nikola Vucevic #9 of the Orlando Magic talks at the press conference after Game Five of Round One of the 2019 NBA Playoffs against the Toronto Raptors on April 23, 2019 at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 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 Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Nikola Vucevic, Orlando Magic
TORONTO, ON – APRIL 13: Nikola Vucevic #9 of the Orlando Magic dribbles the ball as Serge Ibaka #9 of the Toronto Raptors defends during Game One of the first round of the 2019 NBA playoffs at Scotiabank Arena on April 13, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. 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 Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /

Playoff struggles

While we can mostly agree Nikola Vucevic was great during the regular season, his weaknesses — especially his defense and ability to play through contact — were exploited in the playoffs.

The Orlando Magic continually dropped him in pick and roll coverage to try and mask his weaknesses. It worked to varying degrees. The Magic had a great defense this season.

But when teams really needed points (and had the ball handlers to do so) they just repeatedly attacked Vucevic in the pick and roll.

The Toronto Raptors repeatedly exploited this weakness throughout the playoffs. Nearly anytime the Raptors got settled in a half-court set they headhunted Vucevic (even with D.J. Augustin on the court) in the pick and roll.

The Magic tried a myriad of coverages. Vucevic tried hard but it did not matter. None of it worked.

The Raptors continually found points versus him.

As for his offensive troubles, Marc Gasol was pretty much the worst possible matchup for Nikola Vucevic. That kind of performance would be likely to repeat itself.

That said, his poor screens did not create much separation for anybody and that certainly did not help the offense.

Vucevic spent the whole season consistently scoring and positively affecting the game even if he was not scoring — if not with his spacing than with his screen setting and passing. All of that was gone and the Magic’s offense got stuck.

Vucevic found immense value this season because he was able to help others and impact the game without always scoring.

It is this overall impact that pointed the Magic toward Mohamed Bamba to begin with and why they have such high hopes for him.