Nikola Vucevic is trying to lead the Orlando Magic to the playoffs for the first time since 2012 and it's a challenge he and his teammates are embracing.
Entering Monday, the Magic are 33-38, which is good for ninth place in the Eastern Conference standings.
“In past years, this time of year we’d already be planning our vacations, unfortunately,” Vucevic told John Denton of OrlandoMagic.com. “It’s much different now and much more fun. As a basketball player and a competitor, you want to be in this situation, fight for something, play for something and be in the big moments. So, it’s up to us to respond.”
Nikola Vucevic made his first All-Star team this season. The big man is averaging 20.7 points, 12.1 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game while shooting 52.2 percent from the field, 37.4 percent from beyond the arc and 78.2 percent from the free-throw line.
Vucevic is a walking double-double. The 28-year-old has 52 double-doubles on the season. However, all these individuals accolades don't mean anything for the Magic's best player. He wants to get to the postseason and play on the NBA's biggest stage.
Orlando hasn't seen playoff basketball since the last year of the Dwight Howard era. Vucevic is the best talent the franchise has had since Howard was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers. The veteran is going to do whatever it takes to get the Magic to the postseason.
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