TrueMagicFan07 650 Report post Posted February 6, 2020 THIS ARTICLE IS HILARIOUS! A lot of it is true, but some of it--not so much Nikola Vučević Has Been Trapped in Orlando for Too Long by Rick Thomas on February 3, 2020 - "Vučević is simply too talented to waste away in Orlando forever." "Ask the average NBA fan to name some of the best centers today, and they’ll likely say names like Joel Embiid, Nikola Jokic, and Andre Drummond. Few people think to mention Orlando Magic center Nikola Vučević. Yet this athlete is a virtual double-double machine, with one of the smoothest scoring games of any NBA center. Unfortunately, Vučević’s team has been underperforming for basically his entire career. As a result, his talents are easy for the average fan to overlook. Let’s look at Vučević’s career to date, as well as his best options moving forward. In the 2011 draft, the Philadelphia 76ers took Vučević with the 16th overall pick. Like many big men, Vučević didn’t do much during his rookie season. Then, in August 2012, the 76ers included Vučević as part of a huge four-team trade. Other players involved in that trade included Andrew Bynum, Dwight Howard, Arron Afflalo, and Andre Iguodala. Vučević landed with the Magic, where he’s played ever since. Vučević’s career with the Magic Vučević rapidly improved in Orlando, quickly becoming the Magic’s go-to scorer. While putting up points was never a problem, he suffered on the defensive end for years. However, Vučević shored up his D, easily averaging over a block a game for the last six years. He also improved his passing skills, with over 3.4 assists a game since 2017. The best move for Vučević To put it mildly, the Orlando Magic have not been a competitive team since Vučević’s first season in 2012-13. To put it a little more strongly, the Magic have consistently stunk. Last year was Orlando’s first brush with success. Ironically, that first-round playoff exit may make it even harder to compete moving forward. The Magic suddenly felt compelled to retain key veterans like Terrence Ross and even Vučević. Meanwhile, they tried to shore up their roster by picking up free agents like Al-Farouq Aminu. In the process, the Magic lost sight of a more important goal: continuing to develop their young talent, including Aaron Gordon, Markelle Fultz, and particularly Mo Bamba. As currently constructed, the Magic are a wing-heavy team with few ball-handlers or players capable of generating their own shot. For a player like Vučević, now firmly in his prime, Orlando simply isn’t a great place to be. Not only will he have a hard time competing for a championship, but his presence also hurts the development of Magic’s young big men. Vučević is simply too talented to waste away in Orlando forever." Link: https://www.sportscasting.com/nikola-vucevic-has-been-trapped-in-orlando-for-too-long/ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
South_Aussie_Magic 90 Report post Posted February 6, 2020 55 minutes ago, TrueMagicFan07 said: THIS ARTICLE IS HILARIOUS! A lot of it is true, but some of it--not so much Nikola Vučević Has Been Trapped in Orlando for Too Long by Rick Thomason February 3, 2020 - "Vučević is simply too talented to waste away in Orlando forever." "Ask the average NBA fan to name some of the best centers today, and they’ll likely say names like Joel Embiid, Nikola Jokic, and Andre Drummond. Few people think to mention Orlando Magic center Nikola Vučević. Yet this athlete is a virtual double-double machine, with one of the smoothest scoring games of any NBA center. Unfortunately, Vučević’s team has been underperforming for basically his entire career. As a result, his talents are easy for the average fan to overlook. Let’s look at Vučević’s career to date, as well as his best options moving forward. In the 2011 draft, the Philadelphia 76ers took Vučević with the 16th overall pick. Like many big men, Vučević didn’t do much during his rookie season. Then, in August 2012, the 76ers included Vučević as part of a huge four-team trade. Other players involved in that trade included Andrew Bynum, Dwight Howard, Arron Afflalo, and Andre Iguodala. Vučević landed with the Magic, where he’s played ever since. Vučević’s career with the Magic Vučević rapidly improved in Orlando, quickly becoming the Magic’s go-to scorer. While putting up points was never a problem, he suffered on the defensive end for years. However, Vučević shored up his D, easily averaging over a block a game for the last six years. He also improved his passing skills, with over 3.4 assists a game since 2017. The best move for Vučević To put it mildly, the Orlando Magic have not been a competitive team since Vučević’s first season in 2012-13. To put it a little more strongly, the Magic have consistently stunk. Last year was Orlando’s first brush with success. Ironically, that first-round playoff exit may make it even harder to compete moving forward. The Magic suddenly felt compelled to retain key veterans like Terrence Ross and even Vučević. Meanwhile, they tried to shore up their roster by picking up free agents like Al-Farouq Aminu. In the process, the Magic lost sight of a more important goal: continuing to develop their young talent, including Aaron Gordon, Markelle Fultz, and particularly Mo Bamba. As currently constructed, the Magic are a wing-heavy team with few ball-handlers or players capable of generating their own shot. For a player like Vučević, now firmly in his prime, Orlando simply isn’t a great place to be. Not only will he have a hard time competing for a championship, but his presence also hurts the development of Magic’s young big men. Vučević is simply too talented to waste away in Orlando forever." Link: https://www.sportscasting.com/nikola-vucevic-has-been-trapped-in-orlando-for-too-long/ who the heck is sportscasting.com and when did they decide to start "writing professionally" Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Boss 129 Report post Posted February 6, 2020 4 hours ago, TrueMagicFan07 said: Link: https://www.sportscasting.com/nikola-vucevic-has-been-trapped-in-orlando-for-too-long/ Shhh it's not hilarious, it's all completely true! We are not worthy to have him and some other team should swoop in and steal him from us. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Luke_FfS 245 Report post Posted February 6, 2020 Other teams find a way to win even with a lot of absences. (Dallas, Toronto are other examples that comes to mind) Our team as constructed would have been very interesting to watch... but in the 1990/2005 period. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Magicman28 295 Report post Posted February 6, 2020 3 minutes ago, Luke_FfS said: Other teams find a way to win even with a lot of absences. (Dallas, Toronto are other examples that comes to mind) Our team as constructed would have been very interesting to watch... but in the 1990/2005 period. Nah. Even then you had to have shooters/offense. Its poorly constructed. If they get nothing done by deadline, FO needs to go. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Just a regular Magic fan 38 Report post Posted February 6, 2020 Not that I ever would be a fan of them these days, but the Celtics are loaded for bear. They have a lot of guys who are fun to watch. Thinking about our team, I really enjoy watching Fultz, JI, sometimes AG, sometimes DJ when they have it going. The other guys like Vooch, Fournier, Ross, Bamba, etc. really don't do anything for me unless we are really moving the ball well and playing like a team. How about you all? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Luke_FfS 245 Report post Posted February 6, 2020 2 hours ago, Just a regular Magic fan said: Not that I ever would be a fan of them these days, but the Celtics are loaded for bear. They have a lot of guys who are fun to watch. Thinking about our team, I really enjoy watching Fultz, JI, sometimes AG, sometimes DJ when they have it going. The other guys like Vooch, Fournier, Ross, Bamba, etc. really don't do anything for me unless we are really moving the ball well and playing like a team. How about you all? They lost Irving (that wasn't really a good fit or mentorship with the young guys) Horford (that is good fit for everyone, but starting to get old and with a hefty contract) and also lost the race for AD. Sometimes less is more, the important thing it's acting accordingly. They had faith in their group and young guys, added the right veteran at the point, they're a center away from being serious contenders. Plus, a young coach with a vision and the right style for the actual NBA. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TrueMagicFan07 650 Report post Posted February 6, 2020 10 hours ago, The Boss said: Shhh it's not hilarious, it's all completely true! We are not worthy to have him and some other team should swoop in and steal him from us. Okay, Gotcha! *In a soft voice* 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites