Billy Donovan says the Chicago Bulls’ faster pace is helping Nikola Vucevic flourish

Vooch is loving the Bulls' current style of play.

© Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Nikola Vucevic may look like a lumbering big man, but Chicago Bulls coach Billy Donovan believes the team’s All-Star center is a lot faster than he looks. Vucevic has been one of the team’s best players this season, putting up solid numbers of 16.7 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game. Donovan believes Vucevic's success so far is thanks in part to the Bulls' faster pace and his ability to adjust quickly to it.

Functions well in a quicker environment

While other big men prefer the traditional half-court game, Vucevic has shown he can handle a quicker pace. He has the ability to find open teammates for easy baskets. While his post-up game remains viable when needed, it’s not his go-to move.

Vucevic has the agility and vision to find open opportunities on the floor, whether it’s a mid-range jumper or a long three, much like the two triples he drained late in the game against the Philadelphia 76ers.

“We’re playing faster, and the ball is moving better, and he’s a player who functions very well in that kind of environment,” Donovan said about Vooch.

Vooch showed out in the CLUTCH. pic.twitter.com/YhFs0O2QeX

— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) December 19, 2023

Unselfish play

Donovan shared there have been numerous times when an opposing guard gets switched onto Vucevic in the post. However, rather than maximize the opportunity against a smaller defender, Vucevic has elected to move the ball to an open teammate.

“There are times like I've told him he gets the ball in the post in a switch against a guard, and he throws it right back out because they’re open. That’s just the way he plays,” Donovan said.

“I’m like, ‘Vooch, you have a guard on you.’ He says, ‘Yeah, but he’s wide open.’ He just plays like that. The faster we play he can screen, he can slip into the pocket; he’s really smart.”

VOOOOOOOCH 😮‍💨@NikolaVucevic | @NBCSChicago pic.twitter.com/RhjXiXYtFq

— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) December 19, 2023

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