Vucevic Growing Comfortable

By: Stephen Garner

Nikola Vucevic has been one of the most dynamic frontcourt players in the NBA for the past few seasons. 

His offensive skill set is exceptional. He’s able to function as an elite frontcourt floor spacer (career 35.8% from 3) as well as combining great touch in the paint via an assortment of moves with footwork to match.

He’s a handful.

Independent of his scoring prowess, which commands a lot of attention from opponents, he also possesses skill in adept assessment of defenses and ability to pass (both with accuracy and velocity, with either hand) that’s only outdone by the leagues other Nikola… being the reigning MVP Nikola Jokic. 

Notice where these assists are coming from: on short rolls as defenders cut off his dive to the rim after a screen, reading the low man with timely passes mid-rotation, from the pinch and low post, skipping it second-side after side pick and roll.

These are all staple functions of an elite offense.

Lost with the Bulls in DDR & LaVine's electric scoring is a skillset that makes their offense complete. Accountable for 20pts off asts was Vuc on Monday. His ability to pass out of any situation on O it's invaluable. He's as good as it gets outside of Jokic in passing from the 5

— Stephen PridGeon (@StayTrueSDot3) November 3, 2021

Excluding this season (he’s currently 88th percentile), he’s been 90+ percentile in assist percentage for big men each of the last four seasons. He’s efficient in that as well, matching near 90th percentile ranks in turnover percentage the last two seasons, which speaks to his steadiness even on volume in playmaking.

 *It’s of note that he was doing so as the focal point of the Magic his last two seasons before being traded to the Bulls*

That dynamic in playmaking, especially as teams continue to A.) Throw zone concepts at LaVine and DeRozan, and B.) Put “two on the ball” and trap these two in pick and roll, leaving him as the release valve, typically around the nail, to use his aforementioned skill sets as a scorer and passer in advantageous situations for the Bulls. 

He had a three weeks stretch of struggles with reads and his touch in scoring, which was extremely adverse in their game against the Heat a few weeks ago, but his recent history suggests that was an anomaly.

DeMar DeRozan on Vooch:

"I know how hard Vooch works. I would never let a period of time of him struggling depict who he is as a player, he's a dominant force at his position. One of the most skilled big men, inside and out, in this league. It was only a matter of time." pic.twitter.com/BRLE5GDffh

— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) December 28, 2021

As the chemistry and meshing of talents continues to grow for the Bulls, it will be if and how they utilize their 3-time all-star, and how effective he can be, that determines the ceiling of this team.

Coach Fleming: "We've talked at length the last two days about Zach and DeMar and their fit together, but I think Vuc is really in that three-man, top player, group." pic.twitter.com/BNJlSHzoJN

— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) December 28, 2021

Against playoff defenses, where things will be slowing down in the halfcourt, they’ll need all of his offensive skills to offset the tactics that’ll be used to slow down their two-man attack of LaVine and DeRozan. He should help to make that top-tier random a top-tier threesome.

Defensively, he’s quietly been solid as well, averaging a career-high in blocks (1.2) and, with opponents having one of the league’s highest frequency in attempts at the rim (within 4ft) vs the Bulls, he has teams shooting -1.4% when he’s there to contest.

In all, as he continues to find his rhythm and Donovan and company continue to intentionally involve him in the offense (hopefully more post touches given the 8-9 man viable compilation of slashers the Bulls have; slowing the game down), taking advantage of his skills that many other teams long for from their frontcourt talents, the Bulls will grow more indefensible and primed for playoff basketball.

As it stands, they’re a game and a half back of first place in the East and 4th in offense (112.7 per 100 possessions).