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The Orlando Magic have experienced a see-saw first half of the season, full of encouraging and disappointing stretches. For center Nikola Vucevic, there has never been a clearer time to let go of the breaks and storm full steam ahead, hoping to keep himself and his teammates accountable after slipping out of the playoff race by losing seven of their last 10 games.
“It’s on us, man,” Vucevic said Monday, according to Josh Robbins of The Athletic. “It’s really on us to respond, to play the right way, to play well and to try to get some wins. Things turn around quickly in this league. Just like two weeks ago, everything was great for us. We were right there.”
The eighth-year pro leads the Magic in points (20.5), rebounds (12.0) and field goal percentage (51.8 percent), and part of leading consists in ensuring his teammates know what time it is — looking to kick it into high gear while being only two-and-a-half games out of playoff contention.
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“It was nothing crazy,” Vucevic said. “I just told the team that this is it. These next couple of games we have to get some wins. Otherwise, it’s going to be very, very hard for us to achieve our goal to get to the playoffs. I just wanted to make sure that they understand that, that every game going forward for us is a big game. But it has to be done now.
“I felt like tonight we really did that. Obviously, it starts with us, the older guys, to make sure we take the lead. Then everybody else has to follow. So, hopefully, we can keep it up.”
The Magic (20-27) had two encouraging wins over the Boston Celtics and the Houston Rockets earlier in the month, only to drop the next three games before nabbing a win in Atlanta on Monday.
Vucevic knows the window of opportunity is closing, and if the Magic don't get into the playoffs, it won't be long before management starts looking to make changes.
