Billy Donovan says Nikola Vucevic's playmaking skills have been critical to the Chicago Bulls' turnaround this season

Vooch’s passing skills has helped unlock a lot of things for the Bulls.

© Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

When Nikola Vucevic went down with an adductor injury a few weeks ago and missed five games, backup center Andre Drummond stepped up and did big man things, which is to clean the glass and dominate down low. 

But as Bulls coach Billy Donovan pointed out when Vooch returned to the lineup, he brings a unique skill set beyond scoring and rebounding—his playmaking skills.

Initiating the offense

The Bulls don’t have a floor general in the mold of Chris Paul who can set the table up for everyone else. As a result, Vucevic has been tasked with initiating the offense at times and making plays for his teammates. This is something he’s done in the last six years, where he averaged 3.5 assists per game.

“We’ve been able to do more things where he’s kind of initiating actions from the elbows,” Donovan said.

“He likes a style for him offensively where he can do all those kinds of things. He can pick, he can pop, he can roll into the pocket, and he can kind of read those situations.”

When All-Star Zach LaVine went down with a foot injury and missed all of December, it was Vooch’s play that helped keep the Bulls’ above water. He often functioned as the fulcrum of Chicago’s offense, running pick-and-roll with whoever was in the game and finding open shooters on the perimeter.

“I think he’s in a real good place. When Zach [LaVine] went down [with a right foot injury], I thought he really helped us with our ball movement, and he normally generates and does that for us,” Donovan added.

Nikola Vucevic with a CLUTCH three to put the Bulls up four late in the 4th quarter 🔥pic.twitter.com/7DaKtUxDuE

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) January 14, 2024

Utilizing his versatile skills

A 12-year veteran, Vooch fully understands what he brings to the table and is pleased with being given the opportunity to impact the Bulls' offense in a variety of ways.

“There are many ways I can be useful for this team, not just scoring but with my playmaking,” Vucevic said.

“Using me as a guy that can make plays for others, whether it’s a flash, catch the ball, off-the-ball movement, rolls to the pockets, posts, whatever it is. I think it really helps our team.”

Vooch with the one-hand jam!@NBCSChicago | @NikolaVucevic pic.twitter.com/GyOMLWE3YL

— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) January 14, 2024

Billy Donovan encourages the Chicago Bulls to grit their teeth and power through poor shooting nights