Orlando Magic star center Nik Vucevic chatted live with fans on China about his All-Star hopes, the Magic’s hot start to the year and why he may not be adding a 3-point shot to his game anytime soon.
What’s led to the turnaround this year in Orlando?
There’s a couple things. First, we all improved as players individually over the summer. We took the offseason seriously after some disappointment last year. And with a new coach coming in we wanted to prove ourselves. That made us play harder. Then obviously we improved as a team, playing more together on both sides of the floor. The last 3 games we had a rough stretch, and now we have to find a way to respond.
You’re my center in NBA 2K16. And you’re a beast.
Good choice! Ha, I appreciate the support I receive every day. Thanks for picking me in 2k16 from all the great centers in this league.
Where do you rank yourself in terms of NBA centers? And who’s the hardest to guard?
I don’t really like to rank myself or talk about myself too much. I just like to go out there and play the best I can, and believe with my game and the team winning, other people will hopefully rank me among the top. I believe I’m one of the best young centers.
A specific one is kinda hard to pick, but Marc Gasol, DeMarcus Cousins, Andre Drummond, Dwight Howard, Pau Gasol…the list goes on. Every night in the NBA, you have a new tough assignment that you need to bring your best game for.
How did you react to Kobe’s retirement news?
It’ll be a big loss for the game of basketball, one of the greatest players and competitors to ever play. I’m sure people are sad to see him go, but he had an amazing career. I’m happy I had a chance to play against him a few times. I got lucky one time and blocked his shot. That’s something I’m really proud of.
When I was a rookie in Philly he needed like 25 to surpass Shaq on the scoring list and he had something like 26 in the first half! He made like 3 crazy 3’s from 5 feet behind the 3-point line. We’re all standing there like, what can we do? In games you see how good he was. It’ll be sad to see him leave but obviously he’s a little older now, so he left a great legacy behind him.
How are you so good at rebounding?
Ha. The position I play helps, I’m always around the rim. And height. I have long arms. And the will to get a rebound is important, too. I have a good feel for where the ball will bounce off the rim when I’m boxing out. A little bit of everything
You’re my favorite player! I hope you can be an All-Star this year. How far can the Magic go?
Thank you for the compliments, first! I believe we can be a Playoff team. We have the talent, and with what we’ve shown so far, if we keep it up and get better we can achieve it. It’s not gonna be easy to make it out, because there are a lot of good teams in the East, and 1 game separates so many teams from like 3 to 11. It’ll be tough but we have what’s necessary.
There’s a long line of great centers in Orlando, from Shaq to Dwight. Do you think about that, or feel any pressure about that?
I mean obviously I don’t think about it, but I hear about it a lot. For me it’s at times an honor when people try to compare me to what Shaq did, what Dwight did. They took their teams to the Finals, had great numbers. They achieved something special, and I want to see how far I can take this team. If I have a good game people mention them and it’s nice, but I try to have my own legacy here
What are your expectations for making All-Star this year?
I don’t have too many expectations, but obviously I’d love to make it. It’d be a dream come true for me to be selected among the best in the league. But I believe that if I keep playing well and do what I do for the team every night I’ll have a chance to make it. If we keep doing what we’re doing stuff will take care of itself.
Do you want to add a 3-point shot this summer?
It’s possible. I’ve been getting lots of questions about that lately. I just feel like I’m so much more comfortable in the paint and mid-range, that’s where I’m at my best. I don’t want to step out too much to where I take away from what I’m best at…but it could add another weapon to my game and help the team. I might put work in this summer, not so that I’m standing out on the 3-point line, but maybe once or twice a game we could work in a play and surprise the defense.
It’s always great for players to add something else to their skill-set.
With the recent streak of losses, what do you think Magic should be focusing on to win the next few games?
I think mainly on the defensive end our effort hasn’t been where it was a few games ago, where we’re playing well and winning games. I don’t think it’s a huge issue, but it’s not something where it’ll just happen in time. We have to really acknowledge that we haven’t been good defensively. It starts tomorrow vs. Indiana, a really good team, we have to take control over that. The offense may vary, but we have to be able to play good D.
What else you hoping to do/see when you are in London?
I’m looking forward to being in London, I’ve never been there. I’d like to see all the great stuff they have there. I’d love also to go watch a football – soccer – game. I believe Chelsea’s playing while we’re there, so hopefully I’ll have a chance to see a game or check out a practice.
How important is having global fans outside of America?
You want to have as big a fanbase that you can, and especially for me, to have a big fanbase worldwide is big. It’s important for every player to not just focus on one area where you play but to build fans everywhere. Especially for me, coming from Europe, it’s important to have fans there.
(From a Lakers fan) Am I ever going to be able to forgive you for that buzzer beater against the Lakers?
Haha! I don’t know. I can’t apologize for that, I had to do what I had to do for my team. So…I guess?
Who is your favorite past Magic player and why?
Tracy McGrady. I think he was just playing for the magic he was so good. A lot of people were fans of him with the Magic, he could score so many points. The way he played was fun. He could shoot it, dunk it, dribble it, do it all. He was an amazing player with the Magic.
