One of the most disappointing starts of the regular season for second-year head coach Billy Donovan and the Chicago Bulls has come in the form of two-time All-Star center Nikola Vucevic. The former Orlando Magic big man played well for the Bulls down the stretch last season. But he wasn’t the same version of himself since the start of the preseason.
It goes without saying that Vucevic is in a much different situation this season than any prior with the Bulls or the Magic. Vucevic was either the main star or a close second, in each season of his career to date where he was a significant part of the starting unit. That has largely changed with this newly-formed Bulls team this season.
The fact that Vucevic is often the third option for the Bulls on offense this season looks to be something that he’s struggling to adapt to in an effective way. Vucevic is now really the third option offensively for the Bulls behind the likes of star shooting guard Zach LaVine and shooting guard/forward DeMar DeRozan.
And we’ve really seen why that is in the last few games for the Bulls.
Vucevic not only is off to one of the most disappointing starts of any Bulls player so far during the regular season, but he’s also off to one of the most disappointing starts of any player around the NBA. Something just isn’t clicking for him out of the gates this season.
However, it is going to take some time for Vucevic to get completely accustomed to this new role. At the age of 31, this is a change for him that is not usual for a player of his age and star status.
You would think that this could be a good thing for Vucevic to get more open space and play with a better supporting cast than he really ever had around him prior in the NBA. But the fact that he’s not the first option is clearly messing with his mind to some degree.
And the fact that Vucevic mentioned (per Sam Smith in a piece from the Bulls team this week) that he is “totally fine” with this new role he’s in should tell you everything you need to know. That is not the message that comes from someone that is adjusting well with a winning team that is dramatically improving this season.
Chicago Bulls have to get Nikola Vucevic going soon
Smith notes in this piece that someone is “going to have to sacrifice” more than the others in this newly-formed big three for the Bulls. And that someone appears to be Vucevic right now.
But that could all change in a hurry at any point of the season. Right now is a good example.
LaVine is dealing with a thumb injury. While he is playing through this thumb injury in his non-shooting hand, it is clearly bothering LaVine. When LaVine struggles down the stretch, as he plays through this injury, Vucevic needs to step up and become that second scorer behind someone like DeRozan.
But Vucevic clearly didn’t do well to fill that role in the Bulls’ loss to the Philadelphia 76ers on the road on Nov. 3.
Vucevic will have his next shot to really step up for the Bulls in a notable spotlight as they face the Sixers in the second of two meetings in a row on the night of Nov. 6. Something has to give for the veteran star if he wants to be an effective part of this big three for the Bulls.
So far this season, Vucevic is not statistically up to par. He’s averaged 13.8 points per game, 10.8 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 1.4 steals, and 0.9 blocks. And he’s shot a poor 38.9 percent from the field, 28.1 percent from beyond the arc, and 72.2 percent from the free-throw line.
Vucevic and the Bulls will carry a record of 6-2 into the second meeting with the Sixers this week following the five-point loss in Philly on Nov. 6. Tip-off time between the Bulls and Sixers on Nov. 6 is set for 7 p.m. CT at the United Center in Chicago.