Is Nikola Vučević actually any good?

[shotsquatch]

He's a bad defender playing the most important defensive position.

If you're a center who can't play defense, then unless you are Jokic level on offense you will just not be that valuable.

[the_other_guy]

For me, he is like Derozan was for the Raptors. Can't really take you anywhere.

Except Demar's been to 3 ECF while Vuc has never made it out the first round. He seems to be more like Sabonis in terms of empty stats.

He was on a team, that was in ECF, but was not a reason for it.

[Willie Colon]

He's a bench player on a serious contender.

That's what everyone said about Brook López before he got to Milwaukee. Vucevic would absolutely be starting for the Bucks btw.

[theonlyclutch]

He's a bench player on a serious contender.

That's what everyone said about Brook López before he got to Milwaukee. Vucevic would absolutely be starting for the Bucks btw.

The current version of Vucevic would just take up possessions and space from Giannis on offense and open up a hole on defense, he certainly won't be starting for the Bucks of all teams.

A hypothetical version of Vucevic that hangs out above the 3-point line on offense and can cover P&R/switches would start for many contenders. Sadly, Vucevic has never shown he can do that (not that he's had opportunity).

[vxmike]

He needs a defensive PF to play with. A guy like Draymond would be perfect.

He’s got Lauri Markanen.

[God Squad]

For me, he is like Derozan was for the Raptors. Can't really take you anywhere.

Except Demar's been to 3 ECF while Vuc has never made it out the first round. He seems to be more like Sabonis in terms of empty stats.

He was on a team, that was in ECF, but was not a reason for it.

I'm not a big DeMar fan by any means. But this just isn't true and it's disingenuous to DeMar's career with the Raptors. He was very much a part of the reason for it.

[Lost Angel]

he disappointed me with his performance after the trade.

[Young gun 6]

I can’t remember what the stats were but aren’t Chicago basically horrific with him on the floor vs off. Has incredibly bad +/- numbers whilst Lavine’s were impressively really good in the opposite way.

[Kobblehead]

He's skilled offensively and can rebound the basketball well, but he just doesn't move his feet in space defensively or protect the rim. I just don't like bigman that don't make plays on the defensive end. I have the same problem with Sabonis.

[BK_2020]

A 7'0 big who scores on below league-average efficiency doesn't scream "skilled offensively" to me. His FTr is downright abysmal.
He pads his rebound stats with defensive boards, not impressive.

[JonFromVA]

It'd be pure slander to say he isn't a good player, but personally, I'm not a fan of centers who aren't good defenders. He's not a liability, but he's not good enough on D for me to think he can ever be a 2nd option on a team that'll win a playoff series (unless the first option is LeBron James).

I wouldn't be too sure about that.

He's a bad defender, but not like Trae Young or D'Angelo Russell. When I use the word "liability" in this context, I mean like bottom 10-15 starters in the league, which defensively, Vuc is not.

I wouldn't compare him defensively to guards, but to other big men ... even to the guy Chicago traded to Orlando.

Looks to me like the Magic are worse offensively with Wendell Carter and better about the same defensively compared to when Vucevic was there, and Carter even has a slim advantage when comparing their Chicago offensive/defensive ratings.

The trade is pretty much a wash so far for the Bulls as a team ... which is not a good sign for a trade where the Bulls gave up the younger player and draft picks.

[UcanUwill]

I wouldn't be too sure about that.

He's a bad defender, but not like Trae Young or D'Angelo Russell. When I use the word "liability" in this context, I mean like bottom 10-15 starters in the league, which defensively, Vuc is not.

I wouldn't compare him defensively to guards, but to other big men ... even to the guy Chicago traded to Orlando.

Looks to me like the Magic are worse offensively with Wendell Carter and better about the same defensively compared to when Vucevic was there, and Carter even has a slim advantage when comparing their Chicago offensive/defensive ratings.

The trade is pretty much a wash so far for the Bulls as a team ... which is not a good sign for a trade where the Bulls gave up the younger player and draft picks.

I wouldn't compare PG's defense to C's defense, cause it is just not the same. defense from your PG is just not THAT important, yeah, he will let one guy blow by him constantly, but bad C defender will tank your entire defense as a whole. Thats why terrible defensive PGs still have no problem getting minutes or even being stars, where worst C defenders, are usually buried on the bench even when they are really good on offense, for example Boban or Kanter.

[thelead]

Is he good? Yes. Can you win with him? Yes. Can you win with him being a top 2 player on your roster? Absolutely not. Even as a top 3 player on the roster, the team would have to be specifically constructed to work with him so he is not an ideal player for most teams. For example, if you put him on the Lakers, yeah, he's going to help you win. But that's also because of the flexibility that AD brings. His contract is reasonable but I just don't think he is worth it TBH. I'm with the raptor fans here preferring what Val brings to the table even though he maybe wouldn't be considered the better player. But if I'm trying to win, I think it would be easier to fold Val into most teams than it would be to incorporate Vuc.

[Lockdown504090]

hes not that bad on defense. With the right coaching i dont see why he cant be good. if he had brook lopez's job, he has the size speed and length to defend. just gotta get smarter and take it seriously.

[BlazersBroncos]

He is, at best, a low end #3. He is being asked to be a #2, and CHI paid the price of a #2.

Why that team though they were a Nikola Vucevic away from making playoff noise will never make sense to me.

[Chanel Bomber]

He's a bench player on a serious contender.

That's what everyone said about Brook López before he got to Milwaukee. Vucevic would absolutely be starting for the Bucks btw.

I doubt it.

But you're right that Vuc and pre-Milwaukee Brook share a few characteristics.

[KGtabake]

Jokic, Embiid, Gobert, KAT, Adebayo and maybe Nurkic. That's 6 bigs i would take over him.
But nobody else. So yes, he's very good.
All the above players aside from the fact that they're better players have also played for significantly better teams(even KAT on the Butler wolves).
Looking forward to see what Karni can do to surround Lavine and Vuc with talent. Both players deserve to play on a good team eventually.