Chicago Bulls C Nikola Vucevic admits the pressure is on for the Bulls to win amid trade rumors of All-Stars DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine.
In an interview with Jake L. Fischer of Yahoo Sports Vucevic gave his perspective on the future of the current core of the Chicago Bulls. Bucks
Chicago Bulls C Nikola Vucevic on the future of the Chicago Bulls core: “We have to do better.”
Before Montenegro played Team USA on Friday, Chicago Bulls C Nikola Vucevic opened up about the expectations for Chicago Bulls heading into the season.
“We know we can do better, and we have to do better,” Vucevic said. And we know it’s kind of our last chance as this core of guys to do something.”
Vucevic also talked about the impact Lonzo Ball’s absence has had on the team.
“You feel for the guy. He’s such a good player. And to have to deal with all that, it’s very difficult,” Vucevic said. “I mean he’s been very positive about it. He keeps trying to find ways to get back on the floor. There’s a lot of stuff people can’t see. You can’t see him do rehab. You can’t see all the stuff he does to get back on the court,” Vucevic said. ” I mean injuries are the worst part of being a player. You want to play. You want to be out there. Our careers, they’re longer now. but they’re still short. And for him to lose two years, two-and-a-half, it’s a big deal.”
The Chicago Bulls would be in a better spot if Lonzo Ball were healthy. What the team has been missing for two-and-a-half seasons is that floor general who can complement LaVine’s and DeRozan’s games well. No knock on third-year player Ayo Dosunmu but Ball is considered a top-five passing point guard in the game without him, the Bulls’ offense resorts to being stagnant and have to rely on DeRozan and LaVine to have 30-40 point performance to give this team a chance.
The Bulls didn’t add much to the roster this offseason. Signing Torrey Craig and Jevon Carter won’t be enough to help this team contend.
With this core, The Bulls have missed the playoffs, got eliminated in the first round by division rival Milwaukee Bucks, and went to a Play-In tournament. That would be a team that has hit its ceiling, and without Lonzo Ball, this team has no shot to be a top-five seed in the Eastern Conference.
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