Nikola Vucevic hasn’t gone nearly as far down the path of three-point shooting as, say, Brook Lopez or Marc Gasol, but he has proven that he is willing to shoot them if the defense gives him that shot. His career-high three triples (on just four attempts) proves that point.
It makes sense for these midrange specialists to add that extra five feet to their range. Nikola Vucevic trails only Jason Smith when it comes to obsession with the midrange jumper (ahead of LaMarcus Aldridge, can you believe that?). He’s obviously an extremely skilled shooter from that range and has a sweet-looking stroke. The only thing he has to worry about is making sure that his form stays consistent when he steps out behind the long line. And, to my untrained eye, his form looks just fine even from further out.
What was less expected in this game were Vucci Mane’s four blocked shots. Four isn’t a career high for him (he got six in a game last year), but it is a season high for a guy who allows opposing players to shoot 60% against him in the paint, which isn’t quite Kaminsky or Jefferson levels, but it’s close. What’s that, you say? I’m not supposed to care about defense? You’re right, I don’t care about defense. I’m simply stating a fact that Vucevic doesn’t play any. The fact that he doesn’t care about stopping the other team doesn’t matter to me. I just want him to splash more jumpers.