Former Sixer Nik Vucevic has turned into quite the rebounder down in Orlando after being dealt to the Magic as part of the trade that sent Andrew Bynum to the Sixers over the summer. He's also something of a realist too.
In a piece for the Inquirer, John Mitchell writes about Vucevic's impressive season:
Scoring 11.8 points, averaging 11.1 rebounds (third in the NBA), and
blocking a team-high 1.2 shots per game, Vucevic, making just $1.7
million this season, is the only second-year player averaging a
double-double. On Dec. 31, Vucevic scored 20 points and grabbed 29
rebounds to break the franchise record (28) set by Shaquille O'Neal 19
years ago.
Stay in the game with the latest updates on your beloved Philadelphia sports teams! Sign up here for our All Access Daily newsletter.
Bynum, of course, is averaging zero points and zero rebounds this season.
Alas, Vucevic isn't under any delusions that if Bynum were healthy, the trade would have made total sense for the Sixers.
"I would have traded me for Andrew Bynum," [Vucevic] said with a laugh.
It's not always easy watching a former Philly player flourish elsewhere, especially when his replacement hasn't seen the hardwood yet and the reality of his future with the Sixers is cloudy at best, but Vucevic's play and humor make him tough not to like even in opposition colors.
News
Man, the Sixers could really use a rebounder.
>>Nik Vucevic is becoming a star with the Orlando Magic [Inq]