The game wasn’t necessarily circled on Evan Fournier’s calendar. But, yeah, it kind of was.
His return to Denver, where he started his NBA career two seasons ago, is going to be an emotional one. He knew that. But none of it had hit the former Nugget just yet, prior to Orlando’s shootaround on Wednesday morning.
“Right now, it’s right now. It’s just a regular game,” said Fournier, drafted 20th overall by the Nuggets in 2012. “Obviously tonight is going to probably be a little bit emotional, and it’s a game that we have to win. It’s very important for us. But I just can’t wait to play in the Pepsi Center, see all the fans and see the guys. It’s going to be a great night.”
Fournier, 22, was traded to the Magic last summer in a deal that brought Arron Afflalo back to the Nuggets.
Fournier’s emotions then?
“At first I was surprised, upset,” Fournier said. “But after a couple of hours I realized that it was a great opportunity for me and my family. So I was very excited. Obviously, I can do a lot more things here than I used to do in Denver.”
In fact, Fournier has raised his points per game average five points so far with the Magic. From that standpoint he is having the best season of his young career.
“I really love having him around,” Magic coach Jacque Vaughn said. “He’s a guy that really enjoys playing the game, enjoys competing. He’s still young, and so he fits our formula right now going forward. He’s a guy that’s shot the ball well for us, extended the floor for us, and then we’ve also put the ball in his hands.”
Fournier simply called it “a great situation.”
Asked about what he remembered about his time with the Nuggets, Fournier smiled and said it was a long list.
“My rookie year, when Masai (Ujiri) drafted me — he was the one that gave me the opportunity. So I’m thankful for that,” Fournier said. “The fans were very kind with me. I’m still talking to a lot of fans. Discovering America. A lot of things. It was my first experience. So, it was great; 57 wins my rookie year. It was a great experience.”
Christopher Dempsey: cdempsey@denverpost.com or
