“ Minutes. » This is what Vasilije Micic responds when asked what has “changed” in his game lately. Helmed by LaMelo Ball, as well as Tre Mann, on the leader position for the Hornets, the Serbian veteran resurfaces.
The injury absences of the two players have a lot to do with it. That night in Philadelphia, he was still the starter. “ I started a little slowly, gently, taking poorly prepared shots. But the game goes so fast, there are a lot of opportunities. I tried to stay focused and the guys looked for me, that's all “, he summarizes.
Author of a discreet start to the match, the 30-year-old player showed his expertise in creating his shot and penalized both behind the arc and at mid-distance. Upon arrival, his best outing of the year with 20 points (7/14 on shots including 3/8 from distance) and 4 assists.
“ I stand by what I said about his qualities as a basketball player. He continues to work on his physique and his game. In addition to being an excellent basketball player, he has been a true professional. He continues to bring the right attitude and mindset to our gym and team every game, talking to our players during timeouts about what he sees », said his coach, Charles Lee, earlier in the month.
A failed start
The latter had tried to mobilize him at the very start of the season, but Vasilije Micic was not convinced. The playmaker then had a series of “DNPs” and lightning passes. This failed start seems distant today. When he starts, which has been the case eight times since the end of November, he averages just under 13 points (42% on shots but 40.5% from distance) and 6.5 assists.
“ I didn't try to score points, I just played. I feel like I shared the ball and found openings for my teammates and then the game came to me. It was one of those days where you feel a little better », he whispered after his recent 18-point outing in Indiana. This match was also the Hornets' only victory with him as a starter.
While the health of LaMelo Ball and Tre Mann remains uncertain, the Serbian still has opportunities ahead of him to show off. “ For me, every game in the NBA is like a final. I want to do my best and try to prove that I am capable of playing here. I don't even know what it looks like from the outside, but I know I gave it my best », he finished.
| Vasilije Micic | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2023-24 * | All Teams | 60 | 20 | 43.0 | 27.9 | 81.3 | 0.2 | 1.2 | 1.5 | 4.4 | 1.1 | 0.5 | 1.6 | 0.1 | 7.0 |
| 2023-24 * | OKC | 30 | 12 | 40.7 | 24.4 | 73.7 | 0.0 | 0.8 | 0.8 | 2.5 | 0.7 | 0.3 | 1.0 | 0.1 | 3.3 |
| 2023-24 * | CHA | 30 | 27 | 43.7 | 29.4 | 83.9 | 0.4 | 1.7 | 2.1 | 6.2 | 1.5 | 0.7 | 2.3 | 0.1 | 10.8 |
| 2024-25 | CHA | 16 | 21 | 34.1 | 35.3 | 75.0 | 0.9 | 2.0 | 2.9 | 3.8 | 1.3 | 0.6 | 2.1 | 0.0 | 6.9 |
| Total | 76 | 20 | 40.8 | 29.8 | 80.5 | 0.4 | 1.4 | 1.8 | 4.2 | 1.2 | 0.5 | 1.7 | 0.1 | 7.0 | |
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.
