Nikola Vucevic‘s 30-point outburst against the Hornets this week may be an indication that he’s settling into his new role with the Bulls, writes K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago. After years of being the first option in Orlando, Vucevic had to adjust to playing with a prolific scorer in Zach LaVine after he was traded at the March deadline. The adjustments continued after Chicago added DeMar DeRozan and Lonzo Ball in free agency.
Vucevic’s usage rate has hovered at about 22% since the season began. That’s down from 28.2% during his time with the Bulls last season and is significantly lower than what it used to be with the Magic. He acknowledged that he’s still figuring out his new role on offense.
“I was the main guy in Orlando for years and the ball was always with me. I knew I was going to get my shots regardless of how the game was going. Now it’s a little different,” Vucevic said. “We have more talent and more guys on the ball. Just have to find my spots and make sure I don’t get in their way and also for them to get used to playing with a big man like me.”
There’s more from Chicago:
- DeRozan has taken over the role of closing out games since joining the Bulls, writes Darnell Mayberry of The Athletic. He’s leading the NBA with an average of 7.5 points in the fourth quarter of games and scoring clutch baskets when the team needs them most. “It just makes everything so much easier,” LaVine said. “Not all the pressure is on you. I have a bailout anytime, and I think I can speak for him; vice versa. Just being able to give it to him in certain areas, or just the ultimate trust of sometimes just giving him the ball and getting out the way, and ‘I’ll be here if you need me.’”
- Alex Caruso‘s gritty style of play feels much more at home in Chicago than it did in Los Angeles, observes Joe Cowley of The Chicago Sun-Times. Caruso has transformed the Bulls’ defense and leads the league in both steals and deflections per game. “The stuff that I do isn’t always glamorous,” he said. “It doesn’t always get highlighted. You might have seen a dunk or two over the years, like a pass to LeBron (James) or (Anthony Davis), but the stuff I do isn’t sexy. It’s stuff that wins basketball games.”
- Bulls general manager Marc Eversley has been mentioned as a possible replacement for Neil Olshey with the Trail Blazers, but he remains focused on his current team and the talk is likely just speculation, Cowley tweets.
Eversley is definitely deserving, but I selfishly hope he stays in Chcago.
As do I.
Hardly surprising that DMDR is closing the games for CHI, he always has been a top clutch player, always performed well in the 4th quarter & playoffs, I mean at his age we all know he can do it when most can’t!
Atleast offensively.
Whenever I think of DeRozan in the playoffs it’s usually LeBron beating him, similarly to like he use to with PG over and over again.
That’s no offence to either player. I’ve always liked both players but they both could never get past Bron. However now days both of them are preforming at a near MVP level.
PG is leading the clippers without Kawhi and is playing amazingly and DeRozan is helping lead the Bulls and playing great too. Whereas LeBron in his what 19th season is struggling with the Lakers atm
In their performance LBJ still is playing better than DMDR & PG13 this year so far, LAL are tied with the LAC, CHI are better yes… no one could beat LBJ in those days anyway, right?
Please dont take eversley,just take gar forman,john paxson,or Jim boylen…
DeRozan is great
Bulls will be top 4 in East
Bucks will win the regular season
Warriors will win regular season, but in the east the bucks have a chance. However I think the Nets will win it just. Bucks having won a ring last season, having just signed Cousins and Mathews I think will look to take some of the load of their big three and might end up losing a couple extra games. They know it’s not all about the regular season it’s about playoffs
Caruso and Ball have brought a defensive intensity to this team that has permeated all throughout the starting lineup and the bench.
Even Colby White started to really lock in on the defensive side of the ball, and Zach LaVine has made quite a few strides defensively hisself.
The Bulls are a really solid team, and have an excellent mixture of offensive and defensive players. Even with that being the case, I still think they’re missing one more piece to truly contend in the East.
Once everyone is healthy, and they have Patrick Williams and Colby White back in the picture, maybe they’ll look a bit more complete. Still though, they could probably still use another versatile stretch big.
white ain’t cheese.
His name is Coby, no ‘L’, you have been told this before, bravesflan.
Coby Koby Kobe
Did I post this too last time?— I can be easy to amuse.
Unfortunately for the Bulls they are over the Cap but just under the luxury tax so any PF help they get will have to be a 2nd or 3rd year guy who’s a disappointment so far who doesn’t make a ton of money, or a veteran who gets bought out and is willing to sign for the minimum for a shot at some playoff money. Maybe after 12/15 when teams can deal some players who will have passed the minimum date to be traded. Or, I’m not sure, But I think the Bulls might still have a Mid-Level exemption. I know they also have a trade exception for the Theis deal, but not sure how much it is.
I suspect Caruso was never going to get appropriate recognition in LA. He was never going to be thought of big3 third-star material there, due to his a scrappy vibe. Also his color set him back, since he does not look like an NBA star typically does. That could apply to blacks too (i.e.,PatBev)… looks count there.
I think the youth culture there liked him and made highlight videos, but expectations from a city of red carpets did not see another star. Lebron may have been a problem here. He is not a great interactor. They say LJ & Caruso played together well, but when I saw that, it looked to me like Caruso’s creations.
Regardless, players who make other players better as their skill or effect can have a recognition problem anyway.
You’re reading a lot into why the Lakers didn’t keep Caruso.. Not saying it’s not true. Who knows for sure? I would say that guys like Caruso aren’t focused on the recognition factor anyway. But his scrappy play sure is making him a favorite in Chicago.
LA has more fans that appreciate glamour than other NBA cities… my post is missing the word glamour… I could not put my finger on the word. A scrappy style will work better in Chicago, indeed a number of other cities too. LA is unique… in this case infuriating… Caruso’s comments and speed of signing with Bulls suggest he wanted out.
Every team needs a Caruso. He’ll do whatever needed. And is always involved in the play and game. Unfortunately we don’t always judge their worth very well.
Lots of young players leave the Lakers and do well.
Dlo in Brooklyn, Randle at the Knicks, Ingram in NO, Ball in Chicago, Kuzma in Washington and Caruso in Chicago aswell.
Must be something to do with attention, pressure and expectations.
In fairness they won a ring a couple years back. Now most the talk is about Caruso but I think the worst move has been passing up on Heild for Russ.
They were going to send Kuzma plus either KCP or Harrell for Heild. Heild would’ve given them another shooter and opened the floor more for James and AD. Plus getting to keep KCP or Harrell would’ve left them with another contract around 10mil they could use as a trade chip.
Reports have it the Lakers and Sixers are interested in Kemba Walker since he’s been shut down by the Knicks. They Lakers aren’t going to give up THT for him so likely will miss out but imagine had they kept Harrell or KCP and traded for Walker.
Walker and Heild is better than Russ
Ole man Kemba ain’t an NBA player anymore & Hield yeah a top shooter… but still I rather have Russ, he is playing pretty well this season so far, he is just another level!