Orlando Magic: 4 observations after first 4 games in 2018-19

1. Nikola Vucevic is still their best player

Vucevic has begun the season in a similar fashion to years gone by: on a tear. So far he is averaging 18.8 points, 10.3 rebounds and a career-high 5.3 assists per game.

He is averaging the second-highest assists on the roster right now as well (behind only Augustin’s 5.8), and has hit five of his eight looks from 3-point range.

That long range efficiency certainly won’t last last, but what is indisputable at this point is that there is no jump shot from around the basket, mid-range or deep that Vucevic does not look comfortable taking. The argument was made recently that Vucevic is already a top-12 player in franchise history.

He put up empty stats on bad Magic teams, sure. Now that the supporting cast has improved, those same numbers don’t feel so meaningless, which is unfair on “Vooch.”

Even defensively he has looked better than years gone by, which admittedly is not saying much. Given that he is in the final year of his current deal and will be an unrestricted free agent next summer, the Magic may be getting their final season of Vucevic’s abilities.

He is also in theory at the beginning of his prime years, so Magic fans should appreciate what he’s doing right now. He’ll be missed in his own way when he’s gone.