The Chicago Bulls are off to a great start and look especially improved on defense, but it’s no thanks to starting center Nikola Vucevic. Vucevic has been a weak rim protector, and the Bulls' defense has struggled in the paint. Offensively, he has been better, but history tells us that he’s likely to fizzle out later in the season.
It’s hard to blame Vooch for his inconsistent effort on defense. After all, he is 35 and one of the oldest players in the NBA. The other players from Vucevic’s era on the Bulls have all departed the team, but he’s remained as a bastion.
Nikola Vucevic’s absurd efficiency is fleeting
Vucevic has provided some unique advantages to the Bulls so far this season. As Josh Giddey rises to stardom, it’s useful for him to have a reliable offensive center, especially one that can space the floor. Vucevic’s skills as both a shooter and roller have made the Bulls virtually unstoppable at times.
On the season, he’s now averaging 19.3 points and 12.0 rebounds per game while shooting 58.4 percent from the field and 48.4 percent from three. That exceptional production has helped the Bulls to a fabulous 6-1 start, but Chicago fans know this story all too well.
Last season, Vucevic also started strong before dropping his production later in the season. His three-point percentage fell to just 29 percent in January and February last season, corresponding with a losing stretch for the team. The Bulls are hoping for more sustainable success this season, and Vooch might not be the right center to get them there.
His weak defense at the rim is also bound to be a major problem eventually. The Bulls are currently bottom five in the NBA when it comes to opponent points per game. It’s hard to protect the paint effectively in today’s NBA without a shot-blocking center, and Vucevic does not fit the bill. In fact, he averages a putrid 0.4 blocks per game.
The Bulls' defense has held up so far by being exceptional along the perimeter. The Bulls were previously leading the league in defensive rating by forcing opponents to shoot an absurdly low percentage on threes. But their defensive rating has come back to earth as opposing teams get shots to fall.
It’s not sustainable to rely on opponents missing from outside while allowing them free rein to score at the rim. The Bulls need to address this Vucevic weakness desperately before it affects them in the standings. Right now, Vucevic is making up for his porous defense with magnificent offense. But if his own shot starts to slip, the Bulls will see that Vucevic is not the reliable two-way center that they need.