Night in and night out, Nikola Vucevic is the constant force on this Chicago Bulls roster that presents himself with a steadfast demeanor that gets him through each night in a consistent and dependable way. From the moment you see him put his first bucket through the net, to the last bucket, the other 30 points that were scored in between are often lost in the woodwork.
Oftentimes, the points he creates for himself are being done with little to no effort, and he just lets the game come to him. There are no forced shots or bad selections with any possession. He quietly makes his way onto the court each night, puts up anywhere from 20 to 30 points in a relaxed and laid-back manner, and that’s the end of it. Scoring isn’t the only area he excels, as his dominance on the boards and playmaking abilities go unnoticed far too often.
It can be bothersome to see Vucevic go by the wayside as a true inspirational big man in the NBA. His third-wheel heroics in the Chicago Bulls uniform go unappreciated and often don’t shine bright lights over the stat lines of his teammates DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine. Truth be told, Vucevic is one of the top big men currently in the league. Not only does this show on a consistent basis out on the floor, but he has the versatile stat sheet to prove it. His skill set is simply well beyond and far more diverse than you see from your average 6’10 center in today’s NBA.
What impresses me more than anything else is his capability to utilize a variety of perimeter skills, which elevates him in comparison to other big men down low across the league. Vucevic’s ability to fulfill various roles on the floor at a high level have to put him near the top of the list when it comes to the top centers in the NBA. His ball-handling skills are adequate, and he can pull up for the mid-range jumper just like you see a 6’5 guard do.
Nikola Vucevic has done his fair share of providing the Chicago Bulls with a huge boost in the win columns through his statistical prowess on the court.
What is intriguing is his 30 to 40-point nights to go along with double-doubles that involve him stroking it from the 3-point line. He can just let them fly out there, particularly from the top of the key when addressing his favorite spot on the floor. His inside-game ability can be quickly identified with precise, creative, and intelligent post moves that leave defenders in an honest guessing game.
Vucevic’s career nights are being done at an elite, NBA-level and are only going to get better. His recent outburst on January 15 against the Golden State Warriors with an electric double-double will be one to put in the memory books. He finished this game with 43 points, 13 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 steals, and with just 1 turnover in 39 minutes of play. He has been the difference-maker in wins and has been the solution to many of the Bulls’ dilemmas.
This man is still young yet, and there is so much more to his game that can be elevated to make him into an even higher thriller as seasons go on. The Bulls organization should make it a priority to hold onto this man with very tight hands and never let go.