Orlando Magic Daily
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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, Orlando Magic, Boston Celtics
ORLANDO, FLORIDA – JANUARY 12: Nikola Vucevic #9 of the Orlando Magic walks up court between plays in the third quarter against the Boston Celtics at Amway Center on January 12, 2019 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. (Photo by Harry Aaron/Getty Images) /

Defining his era

Nikola Vucevic is certainly an important part of Orlando Magic history and one of the greatest players in the franchise’s history. These numbers prove that, but so does his connection with the team.

While much of his tenure with the Magic will be considered a dark time in the franchise history, he will be a defining character of this era as its best player for nearly a decade.

That certainly was not the plan when the Magic originally acquired him. They seemed a bit surprised at how productive he was from the start, quickly establishing himself as a consistent double-double. Vucevic created some of the best memories of those early years of the rebuild.

Other players and shiny new toys took the attention. Hopes got pinned to players like Victor Oladipo and Tobias Harris. Orlando certainly misjudged their talent and their development. When they failed to live up to expectations, they got moved on and Vucevic remained.

It probably was not for lack of trying to shift things.

The lack of direction from the front office probably prevented Orlando from really moving on. Then again, every time the front office tried to bring in players to challenge Nikola Vucevic — such as Dewayne Dedmon, Serge Ibaka and Bismack Biyombo — Nikola Vucevic beat them. He proved himself better.

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Vucevic has now led the Magic to the playoffs. The expectations now with a new contract in tow is to lead them to the playoffs again. He will face the pressure that some of his teammates squarely faced before.

How he responds to this pressure and how he performs in the next few years will ultimately determine his place in Magic history.

Orlando may very well still be trying to push Vucevic to the wayside and focus their offensive and development efforts on other players.

Last year was really the first year the team turned the offense over completely to Vucevic instead of working to develop other young players at his expense. He was no longer the guy chugging along in the background.

But even with a $100-million, four-year deal, Magic fans would likely point to Aaron Gordon, Jonathan Isaac and Markelle Fultz as the team’s future. They might argue Nikola Vucevic’s replacement is already in place with Mohamed Bamba on the roster.

That has never phased Vucevic before. He will continue to put up solid numbers and do his work. And now he will do his best to help his team win.

He has his flaws and weaknesses of course. Those seem to have always dominated the discussion with Vucevic. Fans always wanted more from Vucevic rather than appreciating what he cand o.

Last year was proof of how good he can be when the focus is on what he can do. Winning has a way of flipping the narrative.

And that should have put everything he has done with the team in the last seven years in a different perspective. It should cause some re-evaluation of his place in Magic history.

Regardless of what the future holds for Vucevic, he has already established himself as one of the best players in Magic history. His work over the years has put him among the Magic’s all-time greats.

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And no matter where his career takes him, Vucevic is already among them.