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Magic Making Major Progress on Defense

Josh Cohen
Digital News Manager

By John Denton

Feb. 25, 2015

ORLANDO – Nikola Vucevic has never been much of a shot-blocker and he doesn’t exactly strike fear into the hearts of foes with a bruising style of play. But Orlando Magic players almost universally agree that the team’s recent improvements defensively are because of the 7-footer’s advanced aggressiveness in stopping others.

Since taking over the team on Feb. 5, interim coach James Borrego has put an emphasis on protecting the rim and keeping opposing players out of the paint. The Magic responded to those points of emphasis, by making huge strides defensively and dominating the paint. In the first 52 games of the season, Orlando ranked 24th in the NBA in points allowed (102.3 ppg.), 29th in field goal percentage allowed (47.1 percent) and 25th in 3-point percentage allowed (36.1 percent). In the six games prior to Wednesday night, the Magic are fourth in points allowed (92.7 ppg.), eighth in field goal percentage allowed (42.3 percent) and 16th in 3-point percentage allowed (34.8 percent).

The desire to protect the lane – something that Orlando has done in the form of a 290-186 edge in paint points over the previous six games – has put more responsibility on the shoulders of Vucevic, who is already Orlando’s leading in scoring and rebounding. In addition to being asked to be ``big at the rim,’’ as Borrego puts it, Vucevic has had to become a strong post defender and a more active participant in slowing down pick-and-roll plays.

``He gets better every day and every game, he’s such a skilled big, he cares, he has pride and he works hard,’’ Borrego said. ``And he’s growing on both ends. Everybody looks at his offensive numbers, but he’s growing defensively. I know people want to see a shot-blocking number and see him coming across the paint and blocking a shot out of nowhere, but that’s not his game and we’re not asking him to do that.

``He protects the paint in other ways,’’ Borrego said. ``Before the ball even gets in the paint he keeps it from getting there. A lot of bigs can’t make that play until it gets to the rim. Nik does it before it happens and that’s what people don’t recognize.’’

Vucevic said he can make up for what he lacks in leaping ability by being in the right place on post defense and by shuffling his feet to protect against penetration on pick-and-roll plays.

``Something I talked to (Borrego) about is doing my (defensive) work early and not waiting for things to happen and then react,’’ said Vucevic, who is averaging 0.75 blocks to go with 19.8 points and 11.4 rebounds a game. ``I’m trying to make my reads earlier and react earlier and I think that’s helped me a lot to be in the right position at the right time.’’

THOUGHTS OF ROSE: A recent injury scare to his right knee knocked Magic forward Tobias Harris out of three games. Harris said on Wednesday that he can’t imagine the pain and frustration that Chicago Bulls point guard Derrick Rose has to be going through after the announcement that he needs another knee surgery.

Rose, a former MVP, has been dogged by knee injuries for the past three seasons. The Bulls announced on Tuesday night that Rose needs another procedure to repair torn meniscus in his knee – news that shocked and saddened many players around the NBA.

``It’s tough because he’s been through a lot of injuries, but mentally he’s a guy who can come back as he’s shown,’’ Harris said. ``So my prayers go out to him and his family and for him to have a speedy recovery and keep the confidence.’’

Miami Heat superstar Dwyane Wade endured similar knee struggles earlier in his career and he had meniscus in his knee totally removed to avoid repeated shredding. Wade said he was disheartened hearing the news that Rose needs more surgery on his troublesome knee.

``I was sick for him and for the basketball world (because) everybody has been rooting for Derrick to get back on the court and be the player that we all became accustomed to being,’’ Wade said. ``Especially him and all that he’s dealt with. I couldn’t believe it when I got the call. … You can’t believe it, but you want him to stay with it as much as possible. Injuries are a part of this game and it (stinks), but we are top athletes for a reason and we’re good at our sport because we’re mentally strong. He’s mentally strong and hopefully he’s able get out of his funk, get back to rehabbing and get back on the court soon.’’

COMMANDING THEIR ATTENTION: Any Magic fan who has sat near the court at the Amway Center can hear one of the major differences upon the switch to Borrego as head coach: The coach uses a shrill whistle to get the attention of his players during games.

Even with the noise in the arena, Borrego’s sharp whistle can usually be heard. While the whistling is something that Magic players have had to get used to, it one way that Borrego signifies to his players that he needs their undivided attention.

``I’ve had it all with coaches – whistle, cuss, hit stuff and blowups,’’ Magic forward Channing Frye said. ``It’s like with your parents and they have their own special call for you when you are at the grocery store. When J.B. whistles, everybody turns and they know (that he wants their attention). We’re taking to him and we want to do everything that he wants us to be about.’’

Said Borrego, who pointed out that legendary coaches Pat Riley and Phil Jackson were whistlers along the sidelines: ``My high school coach was a whistler and I discovered that I could do it. Nobody taught me. I tried it one day and it came out. I’m a big whistler. It’s a way to get (players’) attention.’’

Frye gave one recent example of how Borrego – a calm, but firm type of coach – holds players accountable for their actions. Frye received Borrego’s wrath during a recent practice for bobbling a pass.

``One time the ball kind of slipped out of my hand and someone was open and it took me longer than usual to get the ball there and the defense got back (in position). And J.B. was like, `Look, that ball was supposed to be to him two seconds ago and you need to be faster,’’’ Frye said. ``And defensively he’s asked me to be more energetic and communicative. Hey, I’m not the greatest shot-blocker, but I’m trying to do better on that end of the floor.’’

Note: The contents of this page have not been reviewed or endorsed by the Orlando Magic. All opinions expressed by John Denton are solely his own and do not reflect the opinions of the Orlando Magic or their Basketball Operations staff, partners or sponsors.