2. Steep learning curve for Vucevic and youngsters alike
If the Orlando Magic were hoping for All-Star Nikola Vucevic to rise to the occasion, they were sorely disappointed. If they were looking for clarity on the futures of established players like Vooch, Aaron Gordon and Evan Fournier, they didn’t find any. And if they were hoping for the young pieces of their core to show how bright the horizon is, they didn’t see much outside of defensive flashes from Jonathan Isaac.
The Magic’s leading scorer in this five-game series was Gordon at a mere 15.2 points per game — a decrease from the ho-hum 16.0 points per game he averaged in the regular season. Fournier was an abject disaster, posting 12.4 points per game on .348/.235/.750 shooting splits.
The biggest disappointment was obviously Vucci Mane, who was somehow worse than Fournier as he posted a meager 11.2 points, 8.0 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game on .362/.231/.786 shooting splits. This is after he put up 20.8 points, 12.0 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game on .518/.364/.789 shooting splits in an All-Star (and contract) year.
Nik Vucevic went from 21-12-4 in the regular season to 13-8-4 in the playoffs, and that's while shooting nearly 14% less from the floor.
— Josh Eberley 🇨🇦 (@JoshEberley) April 24, 2019
His agent has to be crying.
Marc Gasol deserves a ton of credit for making him an afterthought, but it was disappointing the way the team’s established, top talent in Vucevic, Gordon and Fournier all failed to step up in any discernible way.
On the youth front, Jonathan Isaac got some valuable experience, showed tantalizing flashes (like his 14-7-2-2 line in Game 3 or his 11-point, eight-rebound performance in Game 1) and was a stout, versatile defender as advertised. Unfortunately, his offense still needs a ton of work, as his 6.6 points per game on abysmal .275/.200/.875 shooting splits over five games proved.
Mohamed Bamba was out injured for the entire series, as he’s been since the end of January. Markelle Fultz still has yet to suit up for Orlando. Gordon is only 23 and still developing, but other than brief flashes from him and Isaac, this quick playoff series didn’t really groom the youngsters, nor did it provide clarity on the long-term viability of a core that includes Vucevic, Fournier and Terrence Ross as key pillars.