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Nikola Vucevic is baffled by his bad three-point shooting
What has helped establish Chicago Bulls big man Nikola Vucevic’s uniqueness is his ability to drain the three-ball. Initially pegged as a traditional back-to-the-basket center in his first six seasons in the NBA, where he shot 29 percent from long distance, Vucevic has evolved into a modern-day big man who can stretch the floor and knock down shots beyond the arc.
However, despite his success in recent years, Vucevic has been struggling with his three-point shot this season. In an interview before the game against the Utah Jazz, he admitted that he is frustrated by his lack of success from behind the three-point line.
Clueless as to why they aren’t falling
The 6-foot-10 big man shot a respectable 35 percent from three-point land from 2021 to 2023. While he isn’t really lighting it up from long range, it keeps opposing defenses honest and opens up more opportunities for his teammates to score. But Vucevic’s three-point shooting has dropped this season, with him only making 27 percent of his attempts. The worst part is he doesn’t even know what he’s doing wrong.
“Honestly, I don’t exactly know why they’re not going in as much as I’d like them to,” Vucevic said.
“There are some where I shoot them too quick. I don’t get my feet under, and I can feel it as soon as it’s released, and those are the ones that look like bad misses when I rush them a little bit.”
Trust his work
Safe to say, this has been Vooch’s worst shooting season in nearly a decade. While there are moments when it has rattled his confidence, the veteran pivotman continues to trust his work and maintain a positive attitude.
“There are ones that I do everything right, it leaves my hand in a straight line, looks great, and it just doesn’t fall. I try not to overthink it, try to trust my work and the process of what I do every day, continue to shoot them with the idea that they will start falling,” Vooch remarked.
