Bulls center Nikola Vucevic was fined $15K by the NBA for making an “obscene gesture” during the first quarter of the team’s Wednesday loss to New Orleans, the league announced today (via Twitter). After being whistled for a traveling violation, Vucevic briefly flipped a middle finger in the direction of the stands (video link).
“I figured I would (get fined). It was just in the moment,” Vucevic said on Friday, per Rob Schaefer of NBC Sports Chicago. “I got called for a travel. I heard somebody in the stands say something. It wasn’t really towards anybody. It was just frustration.
“Obviously not my proudest moment. I wish I hadn’t done it. But I knew as soon as I did it, there was a good chance somebody caught it. Obviously, I have to do better and make sure I don’t do that again. Just not a great moment. I apologize to the fans and everybody for it. I’ll learn from it.”
Here’s more on the Bulls:
- Vucevic is in a contract year and knows he’s unlikely to receive an extension this season, telling K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago that “the front office kind of wants to see how everything goes this season before they make decisions.” The uncertainty might’ve stressed Vucevic out a few years ago, but now that his career earnings are in the nine figures, he’s not worrying about his next contract. “Obviously, when you have an extension, you have security. But one good thing about not having one is you still have options to do what you feel like is best for you and your family,” he said. “I’m not in a position where it’s like a pressing thing for me, where my whole life depends on it. I don’t have to worry about when I get my next contract, how big it’s going to be. I’ve set myself up for a nice life, post-career. That’s why I have more peace of mind now than maybe I had the first time when I was heading into (unrestricted free agency).”
- According to Steve Bulpett of Heavy.com, some people around the NBA were surprised that the Bulls didn’t make any significant moves to try to upgrade their rotation in the offseason. Head coach Billy Donovan explained that injuries last season to Lonzo Ball and Patrick Williams, among others, meant the Bulls never got a good look at their full roster. “I really felt after sitting down and talking to the front office that the hard part was we never saw our team really whole together for a long period of time,” Donovan told Bulpett. “I think the feeling was, you know what, like, hopefully we can get healthy and we can see what this group looks like.”
- Andre Drummond‘s injured shoulder responded well after he returned to action on Wednesday and he should be good moving forward, tweets Schaefer. As for Coby White, he’s still dealing with swelling and a limited range of motion in his injured quad. White has made progress, but isn’t practicing yet, according to Donovan.
Bulls medical staff is historic levels of bad and has been for a long time. What gives?
Ball really makes that Chicago team tick. Last season anyway. Ball stays healthy, Bulls keep the team together in the off-season. If he gets re-injured before any postseason highlights, itcs likely he’s done, (in Chicago) and the current group in Chicago is re-examined.
Seen more and more rumours of AD to Chicago…
Bulls: Anthony Davis and Kendrick Nunn
Lakers: DeMare DeRozan, Patrick Williams and 2 first round picks (both protected top 10)
Bulls line up
Lonzo LaVine Caruso AD Vuce
Dragic Ayo DJJ Green Drummond
White Nunn
Lakers then need to trade Russ….
Lakers: Buddy Heild and Myles Turner
Pacers: Russ and 2 firsts (use the Bulls picks)
From there waive JTA, W. Gabriel and D.Jones and sign Tristan Thompson and Melo.
Lakers end up lining up
Beverly Heild DeRozan LeBron Turner
Schroder Walker Melo Williams Thompson
Terry Christie Reaves Brown Jr Bryant
Bron and DeRozan take the ball handling responsibilities and run the offence, with Beverly and Heild as shooter and Turner used predominately for screens around the top of the key which keeps the paint open.
Defensively Beverly and Turner would be the key players here but DeRozan and LeBron can switch on at times too.
Schroder runs the second unit with like the first u it plays with the centre high in this case Tristan and he looks to get himself, Walker and Melo good match ups. At the other end Schroder, Williams and Tristan are the key defenders, Melo is older and slower but Williams can switch allowing Melo to take easier assignments same with Schroder.
They can play bigger like ups with Williams coming in for Heild. That upgrades the defence but reduces the spacing. They can afford to rest Bron with Williams and Melo as depth.
You’d have a much stronger team with a better chance at success and also looking into life after LeBron, DeRozan can be the face of the franchise with Turner and Williams
Bulls would be insane to include any picks, they will need them if they take on Davis in his decline
Except most of those rumors are started by you and Laker fools who are hoping they can find a sucker to take the lame POS. Drugs are bad. 28 Days for Russ, Now I’ve started a rumor. Never heard anyone from the Bulls even mention ANYTHING about wanting him. Even if he was free. They’ll re-sign Vuj for at least 1 more year after this year.
So in your conclusion russ, AD and nunn are worth DeRozan, hield, and turner? Let alone throw in former top 4 pick lol
I know. Drugs make one delusional.