Bold predictions with the Bulls No. 1: Vucevic is responsible for 4 win shares in less than 30 games
The main reason why Vucevic is not on pace to match his number of total win shares this season compared to each of the last two is that the Magic just didn’t find much success in the win column out of the gates. The Magic were one of the worst teams in the East through the first half of the regular season, which led to Vucevic finishing off the first half of the regular season with less than four total win shares.
Last season, Vucevic registered nearly seven total win shares in just over 60 regular season games played. And the year before, he registered more than 10 win shares for the only time in his career to date.
Through 44 games played with the Magic this season, Vucevic did register 4.4 total win shares, which picked up a bit of late. But his opportunity to really see his advanced metrics lift off the ground this season will come when this pairing of him and LaVine gets their first test together against the Spurs on March 27.
Last season, Vucevic was at his most productive when he had an efficient guard to play in the dribble-hand-off game with. But it was hard for the Magic to find any consistency in that respect this season with Vucevic, shooting guard/wing Evan Fournier, and forward Aaron Gordon commanding most of the usage on offense.
Now that Vucevic will be playing with the likes of combo guard Tomas Satoransky, second-year point guard Coby White, and LaVine (all of which are capable scorers and mostly efficient outside shooters), his game could continue to take off. The Bulls are a good fit for Vooch, and the guards in the Windy City should see a boost from his added presence.