Orlando Magic Daily
Fansided

2018-19 Orlando Magic Player Evaluations: Nikola Vucevic

By Philip Rossman-Reich

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - FEBRUARY 09: Nikola Vucevic #9 of the Orlando Magic takes a shot during a game against the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum on February 09, 2019 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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 Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - FEBRUARY 09: Nikola Vucevic #9 of the Orlando Magic takes a shot during a game against the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum on February 09, 2019 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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 Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 5
Next
Nikola Vucevic, Orlando Magic
LOS ANGELES, CA – NOVEMBER 25: Orlando Magic Center Nikola Vucevic (9) bring the ball up the court during the Orlando Magic against Los Angeles Lakers NBA game on November 25, 2018, at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Icon Sportswire) /

Best Game of 2019

Nov. 25 at Lakers: 31 points, 15 rebounds, 7 assists, 10/20 FGs

Back in November, it felt like a huge achievement to defeat the Los Angeles Lakers. They had LeBron James and were a team that was riding high. Really until James injured his groin on Christmas Day against the Golden State Warriors, the Los Angeles Lakers were a playoff team.

So the Orlando Magic had to face them while they were still at their very best and the height of their powers.

Not to mention, this was the Lakers. The team had rarely dominated or swept the team in their franchise history. Doing it in 2009 was a symbol of the Magic becoming a title contender — and really, that Jameer Nelson-led charge at Staples Center was the moment fans could really start to believe.

This game in Los Angeles did not have that same power, of course. This Lakers team was not the eventual title-winner (even before their season got derailed). But the win still felt powerful.

Especially with the effort that Nikola Vucevic put in.

A few weeks earlier, Vucevic put in a stellar performance in the Magic’s 13-point win at the Amway Center, scoring a season-high 36 points. He embarrassed the Lakers’ big men at all levels.

In the return match at Staples Center, he did it again. But in this one, he came up with big shots and plays throughout the game.

It goes beyond the 31 points and 15 rebounds he put up that day. Or the seven assists, as he kept flirting with a triple-double.

Vucevic was big late in the game. He had a spin move off James down the baseline that he finished with a one-handed jam to ice the game. It was a big moment for Vucevic and for the team.

The Magic swept the Lakers for the first time since that 2009 team that would end up going to the Finals.