Orlando Magic Daily
Fansided

Nikola Vucevic is already among Orlando Magic’s all-time best players

By Philip Rossman-Reich

ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 21: Nikola Vucevic #9 of the Orlando Magic looks on during the game against the Atlanta Hawks on January 21, 2019 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. 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 Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 21: Nikola Vucevic #9 of the Orlando Magic looks on during the game against the Atlanta Hawks on January 21, 2019 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. 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 Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Nikola Vucevic, Jameer Nelson, Orlando Magic
ORLANDO, FL – DECEMBER 19: Jameer Nelson #14 and Nikola Vucevic #9 of the Orlando Magic speak before resuming play against the Washington Wizards on December 19, 2012 at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. 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 2012 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Climbing the ranks

In an era where players rarely stay with one team for very long, being with a team for seven seasons is going to put them squarely among the top players in several statistical categories. Nikola Vucevic has put in his work with several years of consistently solid play. It was inevitable he would climb the ranks.

This year, he scored 1,665 points and climbed past Shaquille O’Neal for fifth all-time on the Orlando Magic’s scoring list. Shaquille O’Neal, of course, did that in four years rather than seven.

Still it is pretty stark to see Vucevic climbing this most basic list measuring greatness. Nikola Vucevic is indeed fifth all-time on the Magic’s scoring list and likely to pass Jameer Nelson for fourth this coming season.

With a new four-year contract in tow, it seems inevitable Vucevic will continue to climb this list. Averaging 1,161 points per season, Nikola Vucevic is on pace to pass Jameer Nelson and Tracy McGrady to land third on the Magic’s all-time scoring list.

At his current pace, Vucevic would become the Magic’s all-time leading scorer in the third year of his new contract.

Vucevic is sixth in scoring average at 16.8 points per game. He trails only the luminaries in Magic history — and Steve Francis’ season and a half in Orlando.

Vucevic is also currently second on the all-time rebounds list. His 5,191 rebounds trail only Dwight Howard. At Vucevic’s current pace of 742 rebounds per season, Nikola Vucevic would pass Dwight Howard in the final year of his new four-year deal.

Vucevic ranks third in rebounds per game, trailing only O’Neal and Howard.

On these lists alone, Vucevic has proven he is not perhaps on the Mt. Rushmore of Magic history, but he is a notch below. That is certainly not the perception of how fans view his tenure with the team.

Longevity has something to do with it. But unlike other players high up on the years of service list — like Jameer Nelson, Nick Anderson and even Pat Garrity — Nikola Vucevic is not universally beloved. In fact, even suggestions that Vucevic is one of the 10-best players in Magic history will draw some derision.

Perhaps that was before this past year when Vucevic proved his All-Star bona fides.