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Vucevic: "We Want to Show That We've Improved"

Dan Savage
Director of Digital News

By John Denton

July 31, 2015

ORLANDO – With a new coach in Scott Skiles, a new-look roster with the additions of C.J. Watson, Jason Smith and rookie Mario Hezonja and a maturing core still in place, Nikola Vucevic knows that the time is right for the Orlando Magic to make major strides.

Vucevic said as much on Thursday from Johannesburg, South Africa, where he is preparing to play in the first-ever NBA exhibition game in Africa on Saturday. (The game will be televised by ESPN at 9 a.m. ET on Saturday).

For the time being, Vucevic is excited about playing alongside of Chris Paul and Pau and Marc Gasol and picking up pointers from NBA Africa ambassador Hakeem Olajuwon. But also on Vucevic’s mind is the task ahead for a Magic team looking to play many more meaningful games in the season ahead.

``Definitely, it’s a very important year for us. We’ve had a couple of tough seasons where we haven’t been very successful as a team and it’s time for us to turn it around and have a better year,’’ said Vucevic, Orlando’s leading scorer and rebounder last season. ``I think the guys have more experience from the last couple of years and they are hungry and really want to show that we’re a better team that has improved.

``I believe we can do that,’’ Vucevic continued. ``We have the necessary players to do that and we have the talent, as well. With the new coach, guys will want to show themselves even more and that will help us. So I’m expecting a better season from us and it’s time for us to turn it around because we can’t keep having 20-win seasons.’’

Vucevic, who will be heading into his fifth NBA season, anchors a dynamic young core of talent that also includes Victor Oladipo, Tobias Harris, Aaron Gordon, Elfrid Payton and Evan Fournier. The Magic made bold moves to keep that core intact by signing the 7-foot Vucevic to a contract extension last October and they did the same with Harris in early July.

Vucevic has been a model of consistency in Orlando, raising his scoring average each season while compiling 127 double-doubles the past three seasons. He and Memphis power forward Zach Randolph are the only two players in the NBA to average at least 10 rebounds a game over the past three seasons.

Still, Vucevic feels there are several areas of his game that he can improve. That’s why he got back to work not long after the Magic’s season ended in mid-April. Also, he jumped at the chance to play in the first-ever NBA game in Africa because he knew it would allow him to scrimmage against the likes of Pau and Marc Gasol, Serge Ibaka, Kenneth Faried, Boris Diaw and Festus Ezeli – something sure to sharpen his skills.

``My offseason has been like past offseasons with a lot of work. I took some time off to rest and recover and take my mind off the game. But after three weeks I was back at it,’’ he said. ``I’ve been doing a lot of weight-lifting and a lot of running, some basketball individual work and playing some individual games. I’m just trying to get ready for the year and get better. As far as what I’m trying to get better on, I’m just trying to improve on all of the areas that I can. I try to be as versatile as I can and hopefully I’ll have some new stuff to add to my game before the season starts.’’

The Magic are hopeful that Vucevic’s improved strength and stamina will allow him to become a better defender around the rim. Skiles is a stickler for gritty defense, and all three of his previous teams made big strides on that end of the floor. Vucevic spoke to Skiles over the phone when the new coach was hired on May 29, and the center is looking forward to getting to know Skiles better when he returns to Orlando in early September. Training camp opens in late September.

``I’ve heard good things about (Skiles) from people around the league and coaches here (in Africa),’’ said Vucevic, referring to Gregg Popovich and Mike Budenholzer – coaches for Saturday’s exhibition game in South Africa. ``I’m looking forward to working with him when I get back to Orlando. … I’m sure he’ll help us out a lot. He’s coached some very good teams and he had a great career as a player, so I’m sure he knows a lot and he’ll help us become a better team.’’

In addition to being a fixture in the Magic’s offense and defense, Vucevic will likely play a big role in helping Hezonja make the transition to the NBA. Hezonja, the No. 5 pick in the June NBA Draft, is a native of Croatia and speaks fluent English and Serbian – two of the languages that Vucevic speaks. The two have yet to talk, but Vucevic likes what he’s seen so far from the athletic 6-foot-7 forward.

``He’s a very talented player and he’s going to help us a lot,’’ Vucevic said of Hezonja, who drilled a game-winning 3-pointer in his first-ever Summer League game with the Magic. ``I saw that he did very well in the Summer League. I’ll try to help him as much as I can and always be there for him. With someone who is a familiar face and speaks the same language, I think that will help him out. I’ll try to be someone who helps him with stuff that he will need. He’ll be a great addition to our team.’’

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