Fansided

10 NBA personalities suffering from Middle Child Syndrome

By Jeremy Lambert

BOSTON, MA - MAY 25: Isaiah Thomas #4 of the Boston Celtics and Kyrie Irving #2 of the Cleveland Cavaliers are seen after the game in Game Five of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2017 NBA Playoffs on May 25, 2017 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - MAY 25: Isaiah Thomas #4 of the Boston Celtics and Kyrie Irving #2 of the Cleveland Cavaliers are seen after the game in Game Five of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2017 NBA Playoffs on May 25, 2017 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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ORLANDO, FL – MARCH 20: Nikola Vucevic
ORLANDO, FL – MARCH 20: Nikola Vucevic /

5. Nikola Vucevic

Nikola Vucevic is stuck on the Orlando Magic, so we should automatically feel bad for him. But we should feel even worse because the Magic don’t know what they have with Vucevic.

He’s a player who has averaged a double-double four out of five seasons in Orlando and is one of the best passing centers in the league. His defense is improving and he’s beginning to stretch his offensive game. At only 26-years-old, he’s a guy who can be a key contributor to any team in the league.

So, what did Orlando do last offseason to help Vucevic grow as the starting center? Add Serge Ibaka and Bismack Biyombo of course. Instead of giving Vucevic with a decent point guard and an actual small forward, they added another true center and a small ball center to cut into Nikola’s playing time and development.

Vucevic was supposed to be Dwight Howard’s replacement. He wasn’t quite the dominating force that Howard was in his prime, but he’s better than Howard is right now. Instead of letting him continue to grow, the Magic decided that they wanted more children who were similar.

I can’t wait until Vucevic is able to get out of Orlando and find himself in another city that will do more to appreciate him.

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