It’s 6:55 on a weeknight, and Nikola Vucevic drives his blue BMW M5 sedan to the front door of Urbain 40 American Brasserie & Lounge, a restaurant in Orlando’s Dr. Phillips neighborhood. He exits his car, tips the valet and opens the restaurant door.



Vucevic walks in and informs the hostess he has a 7 p.m. reservation. She apparently has no idea that Vucevic plays professional basketball or that he is in his seventh season as the Orlando Magic’s starting center.



“Oh,” she says as she glances at her reservation list. After a few seconds, she asks, “Are you Nikola?”



“Yes,” he answers.



Vucevic eats here often. But tonight he’s here because I asked for his help on a story about his feelings for Orlando and his loyalty to the Magic.



We’re led to a private room with one long table. Vucevic takes a seat at the far end, close to a window overlooking a patio and an ornate...