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Orlando Magic: Top 3 performers of the 2020-21 season

By Luke Duffy

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 12: Nikola Vucevic #9 of the Orlando Magic is guarded by Tyrese Haliburton #0 of the Sacramento Kings in the second half at Golden 1 Center on February 12, 2021 in Sacramento, California. 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 Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 12: Nikola Vucevic #9 of the Orlando Magic is guarded by Tyrese Haliburton #0 of the Sacramento Kings in the second half at Golden 1 Center on February 12, 2021 in Sacramento, California. 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 Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /
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Orlando Magic
Orlando Magic (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) /

Orlando Magic top performer No.1: Nikola Vucevic

To consider this a parting gift would be underselling Vucevic massively. It is easy to forget, but the iconic center left the franchise for the Chicago Bulls not only with a ton of goodwill from the fans but also after being named an All-Star for the second time in his career. It got ugly quickly in Orlando, but it never truly got out of control because of Vucevic’s play.

You know by this point what he brings. The sound fundamentals, and top-five offensive game for a big man in the league. He is just so polished on that end, and bang in his prime as well. He carried the Magic until he was traded, diligently and without complaining. Inside he has to have been disappointed though, a return to the playoffs for a third time ending so soon after such a promising start to the year.

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Although Vucevic also struggled initially with the Chicago Bulls, and also missed the postseason with them as well, you know he’ll be back next year. More comfortable and alongside the best teammate he’s ever had in Zach LaVine. When that happens Magic fans will see what could have truly been, had Vucevic had more help during his run in Orlando.

When he was around this year he was basically a walking 20 and 10 guy nightly. In a really interesting quirk, he also led the entire NBA in field goal attempts by the time the regular season was done, with 1396. You can bet that number would have been even higher if he had stayed with the Magic for the whole year.

He was everything to a franchise that needed all of that, and more. Perhaps the most underrated star in the entire NBA, and we say that in the nicest way possible. Vucevic came to embody all that was great about the Magic, continuing the tradition of having great big men, but doing it his own way.

A career-high 24.5 points a night on a ridiculous 40.6 percent from deep highlighted that Vucevic had unlocked the final level of his game. The ability to stretch the floor to the same degree as a lot of guards, while still keeping all of those nifty moves around the basket. Defensively he was not as bad as in previous years either. Vucevic held the title of best player for nearly half a decade, and even if he didn’t finish the season with the Magic, he is the only correct answer to top this list too.

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