If he is still a solid player, who knows how to do his job year after year, Nikola Vucevic does not escape criticism and even transfer rumors, since his name is often mentioned on the departure side in Chicago.
But, at the start of the season, the pivot avoids negative comments with his good statistics. He averages 21.7 points, 10.9 rebounds and 3.7 assists, with excellent percentages: 54% shooting success and 48% 3-pointers.
“We still don’t use him enough in attack. There are still too many times we miss it”, remark Billy Donovanwho would therefore like the Bulls to use their pivot more. “When defenders get on him, it causes good things for us. We have to find a way to serve it a little more. »
Totally comfortable in Bulls style
With his skill behind the arc, the Bulls pivot is indeed an interesting weapon. Defenses can't afford to leave him alone away from the basket. From then on, he can attack and create gaps. The proof against Utah where his 6 assists were made around the 3-point line.
“It’s still early in the season, but he’s really good on both ends of the pitch. He is excellent, very good with young people. He shoots very well, near or far from the circle,” rejoices the Bulls coach. “With the way we play, defenders come out on him and he’s a good passer. He can feint and create things as well, attacking the circle. It's good for us. »
Chicago players must impose a sustained pace if they want to exist offensively and this movement seems to suit Nikola Vucevic well.
“I want to continue playing at a high level,” assures the former Magic. “The style we're playing this season, with the players we have, allows me to do more: hand-to-hand, play the game. I've done that for a large part of my career, I'm good in there. For now, I am satisfied with my involvement. »
| Nikola Vucevic | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2011-12 | PHL | 51 | 16 | 45.0 | 37.5 | 52.9 | 1.7 | 3.1 | 4.8 | 0.6 | 2.2 | 0.4 | 0.6 | 0.7 | 5.5 |
| 2012-13 | ENT | 77 | 33 | 51.9 | 0.0 | 68.3 | 3.5 | 8.4 | 11.9 | 1.9 | 2.8 | 0.8 | 1.8 | 1.0 | 13.1 |
| 2013-14 | ENT | 57 | 32 | 50.7 | 0.0 | 76.6 | 3.2 | 7.7 | 11.0 | 1.8 | 3.0 | 1.1 | 2.0 | 0.8 | 14.2 |
| 2014-15 | ENT | 74 | 34 | 52.3 | 33.3 | 75.2 | 3.2 | 7.7 | 10.9 | 2.0 | 3.0 | 0.7 | 2.0 | 0.7 | 19.3 |
| 2015-16 | ENT | 65 | 31 | 51.0 | 22.2 | 75.3 | 2.7 | 6.2 | 8.8 | 2.8 | 2.7 | 0.8 | 1.9 | 1.1 | 18.2 |
| 2016-17 | ENT | 75 | 29 | 46.8 | 30.7 | 66.9 | 2.3 | 8.0 | 10.4 | 2.8 | 2.4 | 1.0 | 1.6 | 1.0 | 14.6 |
| 2017-18 | ENT | 57 | 30 | 47.5 | 31.4 | 81.9 | 1.8 | 7.4 | 9.2 | 3.4 | 2.5 | 1.0 | 1.9 | 1.1 | 16.5 |
| 2018-19 | ENT | 80 | 31 | 51.8 | 36.4 | 78.9 | 2.8 | 9.2 | 12.0 | 3.8 | 2.0 | 1.0 | 2.0 | 1.1 | 20.8 |
| 2019-20 | ENT | 62 | 32 | 47.7 | 33.9 | 78.4 | 2.3 | 8.6 | 10.9 | 3.6 | 2.2 | 0.9 | 1.4 | 0.8 | 19.6 |
| 2020-21 * | All Teams | 70 | 34 | 47.7 | 40.0 | 84.0 | 2.1 | 9.6 | 11.7 | 3.8 | 2.0 | 0.9 | 1.8 | 0.7 | 23.4 |
| 2020-21 * | ENT | 44 | 34 | 48.0 | 40.6 | 82.7 | 2.0 | 9.8 | 11.8 | 3.8 | 1.8 | 1.0 | 1.9 | 0.6 | 24.5 |
| 2020-21 * | CHI | 26 | 33 | 47.1 | 38.8 | 87.0 | 2.3 | 9.3 | 11.5 | 3.9 | 2.2 | 0.9 | 1.7 | 0.8 | 21.5 |
| 2021-22 | CHI | 73 | 33 | 47.3 | 31.4 | 76.0 | 1.9 | 9.1 | 11.0 | 3.2 | 2.5 | 1.0 | 1.9 | 1.0 | 17.6 |
| 2022-23 | CHI | 82 | 34 | 52.0 | 34.9 | 83.5 | 1.9 | 9.1 | 11.0 | 3.2 | 2.2 | 0.7 | 1.7 | 0.7 | 17.6 |
| 2023-24 | CHI | 76 | 34 | 48.4 | 29.4 | 82.2 | 2.8 | 7.8 | 10.5 | 3.3 | 2.5 | 0.7 | 1.6 | 0.8 | 18.0 |
| 2024-25 | CHI | 7 | 33 | 54.8 | 48.5 | 95.7 | 2.7 | 8.1 | 10.9 | 3.7 | 2.4 | 0.4 | 1.4 | 1.0 | 21.7 |
| Total | 905 | 31 | 49.5 | 34.3 | 77.0 | 2.5 | 8.0 | 10.5 | 2.8 | 2.4 | 0.8 | 1.7 | 0.9 | 17.1 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
