It didn't take long for Nikola Vucevic to silence a lot of doubters heading into the 2025-26 campaign. The perpetually overlooked center was the focal point of the Chicago Bulls' offense early in their regular-season opener against the Detroit Pistons, and he did not disappoint.
Vucevic notched 12 points and seven rebounds in the first quarter, including two 3-pointers. The second of those 3-pointers was the 900th of his career and helped Vucevic extend a bit of history he made last season.
Last year, Vucevic became the only center in NBA history to make 7,000 field goals and 800 threes. He's now the only center in NBA history with 7,000 and 900.
On its own, it's a neat stat. But if Vucevic keeps up that pace, it portends good things for the Bulls' offense.
Nikola Vucevic could still play a significant role for Chicago
Heading into the regular season, fans wondered if the league was starting to pass Vucevic by. After all, big men who hit threes are now a dime a dozen. It's not a novelty like it was when Vucevic was one of the pioneers of stretching the floor with regularity. He appeared slow in the preseason. Was his age -- he turns 35 on Oct. 24 -- catching up to him?
Apparently, the wily vet was just saving his energy for the games that count in the standings.
If Vucevic can keep it up beyond the first quarter of the first game, it accomplishes two things. First, it vindicates a front office that hung onto the veteran despite every Bulls fan in every bar, barbershop or bus stop eager to tell you how the team screwed up by not trading him over the offseason. Or last year, or the year before that.
When the Bulls brought Vucevic to town in 2021, he was supposed to be the centerpiece of a new-look offense. There have been flashes of success, but that success has never been sustained. After averaging well over 20 points per game in his final two and a half seasons in Orlando, the best Vucevic has been able to manage in a full season in Chicago was 18.5 ppg last season.
If Vucevic can keep up this scoring output, it would also help fill a perceived scoring void on the team. With Zach LaVine gone and Coby White hurt, many wondered who would step up as both a volume shooter and a consistent scorer. Players like Kevin Huerter can score in bunches off the bench. Josh Giddey emerged as a triple-threat dynamo last season, but he's counted on to distribute the ball in addition to scoring.
It's incredibly early, but these returns from Vucevic are encouraging for Bulls fans looking for a bit of optimism as the regular season kicks off.