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...appears to be an obsolete narrative. I watched him play very tough, very conscientious defense on Horford tonight and give him all sorts of trouble, particularly late in crunch time. I also saw him contest guys attacking the bucket and knew how to do it without fouling. He doesn't like going outside, but then what center does, and he's not a quick leaper which means he won't ever be a great shot-blocker but I think this guy is finally becoming serviceable. Congrats Magic fans, I think your center is for real.

thinkingwarriors wrote:...appears to be an obsolete narrative. I watched him play very tough, very conscientious defense on Horford tonight and give him all sorts of trouble, particularly late in crunch time. I also saw him contest guys attacking the bucket and knew how to do it without fouling. He doesn't like going outside, but then what center does, and he's not a quick leaper which means he won't ever be a great shot-blocker but I think this guy is finally becoming serviceable. Congrats Magic fans, I think your center is for real.

He definitely looked improved early on in the year and then sort of dropped off a bit. It's all effort level with him, as with most of our team. Hopefully he'll be on the upswing again.

He will never be a rim protector a la Gobert or Dwight where his protection will force people not to drive, but if he can provide a good contest, it's all we want.

If also helps with AG in the game usually shutting down his guy. Vuc + Frye was basically a free-for-all.

just wait until we have some wings that can get through a basic screen!

thinkingwarriors wrote:...appears to be an obsolete narrative. I watched him play very tough, very conscientious defense on Horford tonight and give him all sorts of trouble, particularly late in crunch time. I also saw him contest guys attacking the bucket and knew how to do it without fouling. He doesn't like going outside, but then what center does, and he's not a quick leaper which means he won't ever be a great shot-blocker but I think this guy is finally becoming serviceable. Congrats Magic fans, I think your center is for real.

Please take Frye.

The guys here can correct me if I'm wrong, but it feels like he has a game like this every 7 or 8 games. Not hating, it's just like our defensive-minded projects who can't shoot: sometimes everything clicks and you have this glimpse of what might be. The next step for the young guys is bringing it consistently.

I still think it's so weird we defend the pick and roll 5 feet from the 3 point line. The league's murderous scoring point guards are sprinting at him in space. Help me understand how that's supposed to work.

thinkingwarriors wrote:...appears to be an obsolete narrative. I watched him play very tough, very conscientious defense on Horford tonight and give him all sorts of trouble, particularly late in crunch time. I also saw him contest guys attacking the bucket and knew how to do it without fouling. He doesn't like going outside, but then what center does, and he's not a quick leaper which means he won't ever be a great shot-blocker but I think this guy is finally becoming serviceable. Congrats Magic fans, I think your center is for real.

....Dude.... My thoughts exactly. A lot of people here still expect 2005-2009 Dwight and anything short of that is "bad defensive player". Vuc is a stud in the making. Thanks for the love and enjoy your dubs' season

Definitely all about effort with Vuc. He may be slow at times but when he's on he's on.

thinkingwarriors wrote:...appears to be an obsolete narrative. I watched him play very tough, very conscientious defense on Horford tonight and give him all sorts of trouble, particularly late in crunch time. I also saw him contest guys attacking the bucket and knew how to do it without fouling. He doesn't like going outside, but then what center does, and he's not a quick leaper which means he won't ever be a great shot-blocker but I think this guy is finally becoming serviceable. Congrats Magic fans, I think your center is for real.

Thanks, but one game doesn't erase that kind of reputation. He had his moments on defense tonight but he needs to stay locked in and not fall into his old bad habits. He needs to prove one game isn't a fluke.

^ He's definitely not as bad as many (very vocal posters) on here want to make him out to be. He was playing very good defense through mid December when everyone's defense slid. At $12m per for 3 more seasons beyond this year, he's an absolute bargain.

ezzzp wrote:^ He's definitely not as bad as many (very vocal posters) on here want to make him out to be. He was playing very good defense through mid December when everyone's defense slid. At $12m per for 3 more seasons beyond this year, he's an absolute bargain.

If he plays like he did tonight he's a bargain. If plays like he has this season as a whole his contract is probably just about right.

thinkingwarriors wrote:...appears to be an obsolete narrative. I watched him play very tough, very conscientious defense on Horford tonight and give him all sorts of trouble, particularly late in crunch time. I also saw him contest guys attacking the bucket and knew how to do it without fouling. He doesn't like going outside, but then what center does, and he's not a quick leaper which means he won't ever be a great shot-blocker but I think this guy is finally becoming serviceable. Congrats Magic fans, I think your center is for real.

talk to me when he does this 3 games in a row. and Horford was still 12-18 for 27 pts. 12 above his season avg

jesus guys take a day off no need for backhanded compliments....just enjoy his play

http://i.imgur.com/UGZ7H9K.png

Hmm...

I was only able to watch the overtime tonight... and he did fantastic on Horford in those 5 minutes.

I think it shows Vuc is capable of really good defense. When he has to move his feet more it gets dicey.

OrlandoNed wrote:

thinkingwarriors wrote:...appears to be an obsolete narrative. I watched him play very tough, very conscientious defense on Horford tonight and give him all sorts of trouble, particularly late in crunch time. I also saw him contest guys attacking the bucket and knew how to do it without fouling. He doesn't like going outside, but then what center does, and he's not a quick leaper which means he won't ever be a great shot-blocker but I think this guy is finally becoming serviceable. Congrats Magic fans, I think your center is for real.

Thanks, but one game doesn't erase that kind of reputation. He had his moments on defense tonight but he needs to stay locked in and not fall into his old bad habits. He needs to prove one game isn't a fluke.

Vucevic can be a REALLY good 1 on 1 defender when engaged. Rotational he'll always be around average/above average but will always be in the right place. Shot Blocking won't matter if your TEAM is playing great job not allowing their man to get to the rim or contest their shots (Ala 2001-2003 Nets, and 10-14 Miami Heat).

Plus, the defensive pitfalls are all around... Guys constantly losing their man through screens or draw ins by defenders. Its Annoying to see Vic or Elfrid trail the screener to leave Vucevic on an island or see so many back door cuts for lay-ups, and the open 3 point shots. Same with Aaron Gordon, (Though his athleticism does save him half the time)Tobias Harris, Evan Fournier, and Mario Hezonja. Shot Blocking can only do so much in those situations. The teams defense earlier in the year was much better due to the guys not falling into those bad habits. Now they've slipped back into them and are struggling at that end of the court...

so much has been said about his defense but its crazy little has been said about how great hes been passing out of the post....what did he have like 6 assist tonight? pretty damn good from a center

When he's locked in and playing great D like tonight, he's a stud. That coupled with his blossoming offense and yeah, he's a very good C.

I just want him to play this hard most nights, if not every night, and then I'll be ecstatic with him.

People playing the "I told you so" card weren't this vocal during our losing streak and his poor play then. In fact, many of them proposed trades for Vuc or suggested he could/should be traded.

MagicStarwipe wrote:

ezzzp wrote:^ He's definitely not as bad as many (very vocal posters) on here want to make him out to be. He was playing very good defense through mid December when everyone's defense slid. At $12m per for 3 more seasons beyond this year, he's an absolute bargain.

If he plays like he did tonight he's a bargain. If plays like he has this season as a whole his contract is probably just about right.

PF/C's (between 23-29 years old) having played at least 1000 minutes this season; and PER of 18.0 / BPM of 1.0 or more:





Whiteside and Horford will get paid max money this summer ($23m - $29m). I'd say Vuc and Favors are excellent bargains...and Vuc is signed cheap through 2019.

Bensational wrote:When he's locked in and playing great D like tonight, he's a stud. That coupled with his blossoming offense and yeah, he's a very good C.

I just want him to play this hard most nights, if not every night, and then I'll be ecstatic with him.

People playing the "I told you so" card weren't this vocal during our losing streak and his poor play then. In fact, many of them proposed trades for Vuc or suggested he could/should be traded.

Eh...most of those laying the blame on Vuc during the losing streak have been hating on him since long before that, and continue to do so (just read half the threads going today).