By John DentonOct. 3, 2015
ORLANDO – Saturday night’s preseason opener carried special significance for the Orlando Magic because it was the beginning of the Scott Skiles coaching era. But, at the end of the day, it was still just an exhibition game, so standout center Nikola Vucevic sat the game out and rested his ailing shoulder.
The bad news is that Vucevic suffered a mild strain of his right shoulder in practice on Thursday. The good news is that the injury isn’t deemed serious and it occurred as Vucevic got hurt while playing defense – an area of emphasis this season from Skiles.
``I was guarding Andrew (Nicholson) and I stripped the ball away and I went to get it and my my arm got caught up between (Nicholson’s) arm and his body,’’ said Vucevic, Orlando’s leading scorer and rebounder last season. ``He pulled my arm down and I knew I hurt it there, but I didn’t know how bad it was. I kept practicing through it, but after I got showered and iced it got very sore. And the MRI showed a little strain.’’
Vucevic sat out Friday’s practice and Saturday morning’s shootaround, but he is hopeful that he can return to practice in the coming days. The Magic next play on Wednesday against the Miami Heat in Louisville, Ky., and the center could be back in action by then.
``I haven’t really tried to do anything on it, so I don’t know how it’s going to feel when I return,’’ Vucevic said. ``There was a lot of soreness (on Friday), so I don’t know how it’s going to feel. I haven��t even tried to shoot or anything, but I’m doing more stuff (in Saturday night’s pregame) and we’ll see.’’
Vucevic, who has missed time the past three seasons with knee and concussion troubles, despises sitting out of games because he isn’t a part of the action. He had company on the bench Saturday night as guard Evan Fournier (ankle sprain) and Aaron Gordon (fractured jaw) are still nursing offseason injuries.
``I’ll be very bored,’’ Vucevic predicted Saturday morning. ``It always is when you sit out on the side and watch. But it’s early, it’s not during the season and hopefully I can take care of it quickly and get back out there.’’
CLOSE LIKE BROTHERS: Charlotte guard Kemba Walker and Orlando’s Shabazz Napier weren’t just teammates on the University of Connecticut basketball team in 2011, they were key components on a squad that won college basketball’s national championship. Similarly, Walker was voted the Most Outstanding Player of the 2011 Final Four, while Napier was the MOP of the 2014 Final Four when he led UConn to another title.
Because they play the same position and both have had to overcome the same issues with a lack of height, Napier and Walker bonded quickly despite their age difference. Walker, who is heading into his fifth NBA season, has been somewhat of a mentor for Napier, a second-year pro.
``That’s my little brother,’’ Walker said. ``He was great for us (at UConn) and he’s a great basketball player. He’s always been tough and really confident in himself. He has a high basketball IQ and he just really knows how to play the game.’’
Added Napier: ``We have a brotherly relationship. He took me under his wing since I got there (to UConn) and we’re the best of friends. Our mothers are really close to one anther, too, and we’ll always have that connection.’’
OPEN PRACTICE FOR FANS: Magic fans will be able to get an up-close and personal look at the team and new coaching staff on Monday night in an Open Practice, presented by Chase.
A full practice will be conducted on Monday starting at 6 p.m. at the Amway Center and the gates will open at 5 p.m. The event is free, but tickets are required for admission. Tickets can be downloaded at www.nba.com/magic/openpractice.
Magic Dancers and Stuff will also perform at the Open practice. Also, Levy Restaurants will offer 50 percent discounts on food and beverages, exclusive ticket offers will be available and the Orlando Magic Team Shop will give 20 percent discounts on all purchases during the Open Practice.