Nikola Vucevic laments getting ejected from the game vs. the Los Angeles Lakers - "I gotta be better at controlling my emotions in the moment."
Every remaining game on the Chicago Bulls' slate is a crucial one. The Bulls are pursuing a spot in the Play-in tournament with just eight games left on their regular season schedule and although they're in a good spot, three-and-a-half games ahead of the Indiana Pacers and the Washington Wizards, they're still not out of the woods. Bulls center Nikola Vucevic recognized this and vowed to do better after he was ejected in the second quarter of their Sunday afternoon game against the Los Angeles Lakers because of two quick technical fouls.
"Obviously, it was a bad decision by me to react the way I did in a game as important as this for us. I have to be better and control my emotions more in the moment," said Vucevic.
Quick ejection
Vucevic was initially called for a foul on a driving LeBron James with 1:02 remaining in the second quarter. Veteran official Sean Corbin slapped Vucevic with a technical foul for vehemently arguing the call. Not long after, referee Tony Brothers gave him another as he continued to express his displeasure with the call.
Bulls coach Billy Donovan said the technical fouls were "bang-bang" calls, but ultimately agreed with the referees' assessment.
"In the moment that you're sitting over there, it almost appeared to me that it was bang-bang technical fouls. And in talking to Tony (Brothers) and I got a lot of respect for the crew there. They felt like there was enough of a delay after the first one for him to step away. And he didn't. I don't have any problem with the officials in the moment."
Vucevic was apologetic
The former All-Star was quick to admit his mistake and take responsibility for the technical fouls, saying, "Agree or disagree with the call, whatever happens, it's my mistake. I'm just glad my teammates came through and won the game for us. It makes me feel a little less bad about myself."
"Usually, there is that kind of cool-off period. It is what is is. I overreacted for sure. I deserved the first one 100 percent. The second one, I should've done better and just shut my mouth and turned around and focused on the game. I didn't do that. And I got what I deserved," Vooch concluded.
