Nikola Vucevic says the Chicago Bulls have to be better this season: "We know it's kind of our last chance"

Vooch knows the team can do better this season.

© David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

Although versatile big man Nikola Vucevic signed a brand-new three-year contract with the Chicago Bulls, there's a good amount of uncertainty surrounding the team. Ace guard Zach LaVine remains in the thick of trade rumors due to his huge contract and inability to impact winning. DeMar DeRozan, meanwhile, is playing in the final year of his contract, thereby creating a potential void in the starting lineup. With these factors and so much more to consider, Vucevic had a message for the Bulls: They've got to make it work.

"We know we can do better, and we have to do better," Vucevic told Yahoo Sports' Jake Fischer while playing for Montenegro in the 2023 FIBA World Cup. "And we know it's kind of our last chance as this core of guys to do something."

Out of his comfort zone

With the Orlando Magic, Vooch was the unquestioned star. The team catered to his strengths, and the big man flourished. He set career highs with 24.5 points and 11.8 rebounds per game while shooting 48 percent from the floor in 2021. His two seasons-plus in Chicago, though, have seen the 6-foot-10 center become the third option behind LaVine and DeRozan. 

His first full season with the Bulls provided more questions than answers and was evident in Vucevic's play as he shot just 47 percent from the field, including a lowly 31 percent from three. Last season was better as he averaged 17 points and 11 rebounds, shooting a robust 52 percent from the floor.

"When you get out of your comfort zone, you have to adjust, and that makes you grow and figure things out. It's not always easy. But that's how life is," Vooch said. "Things always happen, things come with you, and you have to figure it out and learn to deal with it. You can get complacent, you can get too happy where you're at."

Better player overall

The numbers may not be as eye-popping as they were in Orlando, but Vooch explains that he has become a much better player in Chicago.

"I know in Chicago people have different opinions of how it's been for me. But it's not the same situation I had in Orlando. I'm not used the same way. I'm not playing the same way. Although I felt this year was one of my best ever. Scoring-wise, no. But I'm taking five, six shots less than I did in Orlando. It's different strengths. It's made me a better overall player for sure, and helped me mature, be able to adapt better, playing with different types of players in a different system," Vooch added.