Even with this effort, Nikola Vucevic will not have the record for the season since Mikal Bridges will achieve the feat of playing 83 matches, in a season limited to 82 matches…
However, the pivot of the Bulls can congratulate himself on his performance, in an era of “load management” where each meeting is counted: by being on the floor tonight, he will succeed in his first full season with 82 matches played. His old record dated from the 2018/2019 season, in Orlando, with 80 matches.
“I really wanted to achieve this and play all 82 matches,” does he assure NBC Sports. “It’s really hard to do. Few succeed. So I wanted it, for myself. I’m not a big fan of missing encounters. I like to play, if I can. 82 matches is an achievement for me, something I’m proud of. »
This season was the seventh time in his career that Vucevic reached at least 70 matches played. The former Orlando has made it a point of honor to chain games since the start of his career, and even more so in recent years.
“It shows my regularity, my good health”, he comments on his 82 matches this year. “My work ethic comes from my dad, who was a professional, watching him growing up. I saw him taking care of his body, eating well. I learned a lot from that. Arriving in the NBA, I saw veterans like Andre Iguodala or Elton Brand in Philadelphia, then Jameer Nelson and JJ Redick in Orlando. I asked questions, I learned from them. My work between matches, preparation, recovery, my sleep, my diet play a lot in all of that. »
Without neglecting the element of luck that exists in the long regular season, Billy Donovan obviously praised the physical performance of his player.
“You have to be lucky, because you can twist your ankle when you land on someone’s foot, hurt your fingers on a bad pass. A lot of things can happen. But he is doing an admirable job of being in a position to play all the matches. The game is going faster and faster and it weighs on the organisms. His availability for a pivot is remarkable. We must pay tribute to him for all that. »
| Nikola Vucevic | Percentage | Bounces | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Crew | GM | Minimum | Shots | 3 points | LF | Off | Def | Early | pd | party | Int | bp | CT | Points |
| 2011-12 | PHL | 51 | 16 | 45.0 | 37.5 | 52.9 | 1.7 | 3.1 | 4.8 | 0.6 | 2.2 | 0.4 | 0.7 | 0.7 | 5.6 |
| 2012-13 | ENT | 77 | 33 | 51.9 | 0.0 | 68.3 | 3.6 | 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 | 3.3 | 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 | 11.0 | 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 | 8.9 | 2.8 | 2.7 | 0.8 | 1.9 | 1.1 | 18.2 |
| 2016-17 | ENT | 75 | 29 | 46.8 | 30.7 | 66.9 | 2.4 | 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 | 24.6 |
| 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 | 2.0 | 9.1 | 11.0 | 3.2 | 2.5 | 1.0 | 1.9 | 1.0 | 17.6 |
| 2022-23 | CHI | 81 | 34 | 52.1 | 34.9 | 83.5 | 2.0 | 9.1 | 11.1 | 3.3 | 2.2 | 0.7 | 1.7 | 0.7 | 17.8 |
| Total | 822 | 31 | 49.6 | 34.8 | 76.4 | 2.5 | 8.0 | 10.5 | 2.8 | 2.4 | 0.9 | 1.7 | 0.9 | 17.0 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Shots made / Shots attempted; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def= defensive rebound; Tot = Total bounces; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost bullets; Ct: Counters; Points = Points.
