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Orlando Magic: Grading Nikola Vucevic’s 2019-20 NBA season

By Luke Duffy

SAN ANTONIO, TX - FEBRUARY 29: Nikola Vucevic #9 of the Orlando Magic reacts after a basket against the San Antonio Spurs during first half action at AT&T Center on February 29, 2020 in San Antonio, Texas. 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 Ronald Cortes/Getty Images)
SAN ANTONIO, TX - FEBRUARY 29: Nikola Vucevic #9 of the Orlando Magic reacts after a basket against the San Antonio Spurs during first half action at AT&T Center on February 29, 2020 in San Antonio, Texas. 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 Ronald Cortes/Getty Images) /
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Orlando Magic
Orlando Magic (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images) /

Nikola Vucevic’s strengths

The strengths of Vucevic haven’t changed much over the years, but that familiarity is actually the greatest strength he provides the Magic at this point. The franchise know exactly what they’re getting from him over the course of a season, and while that might ultimately be a first round exit from the postseason, it is a foundation they have tried to build upon.

There are few big men in the league who can do what Vucevic does offensively. His passing is well above average for his position, his footwork around the basket is excellent and the shooting stroke is something which has improved in recent years and now includes stepping comfortably into 3-point shots.

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Shooting 33.9 percent from deep over the course of the year wasn’t great, but on 4.7 attempts per game it was just about enough to keep defenders honest when guarding him. This was hugely beneficial for the likes of Aaron Gordon and Markelle Fultz, who struggled to get anything consistent going from deep themselves.

In the playoffs that number rose in a big way to 40.9 percent from 3-point range, although the five-game sample size does favor Vucevic. Nevertheless, this was accomplished against a Bucks side that had the best defensive efficiency in the league during the regular season. Vucevic isn’t all long-range bombs though, as shown regularly by his work around the basket.

For much of his time in Orlando, Vucevic was seen as a liability defensively. That is no longer the case, and to call him average on that end would be fair. This also highlights the other big positive of having him as the team’s best player. The guy just does not complain and gets on with it, and that really sets the tone in the locker room.

Whether it was Bismack Biyombo coming in and taking minutes off him in the past, Khem Birch doing the same thing now, or the organization drafting Mohamed Bamba as their center of the future, Vucevic has never complained and only improved defensively as a result. That kind of character, while averaging basically 20 points and 10 boards a night, is what you love to have.

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