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Chicago Bulls: Nikola Vučević will win 2022 NBA Most Improved Player

By Thomas J. Brown

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 15: Nikola Vucevic #9 of the Chicago Bulls dribbles during the first half against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on May 15, 2021 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 15: Nikola Vucevic #9 of the Chicago Bulls dribbles during the first half against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on May 15, 2021 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /
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Chicago Bulls
Chicago Bulls Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports /

Why Chicago Bulls center Nikola Vucevic can win MIP: He’s a modern NBA big man

It can be reasonably argued that the first “stretch-four” in the NBA was Dirk Nowitzki. He was the first power forward who’s head coach didn’t wince when he attempted a 3-pointer. Ten years after “The Germinator” led his team to the NBA championship, the league is full of his prototypes.

Nikola Vučević is 6’11” tall but it is no stretch to call him a knock-down shooter. Last season, over the span of 70 games played for the Orlando Magic and the Chicago Bulls, he shot exactly 40 percent from 3-point land. Not only will Billy Donovan be okay with his All-Star Center shooting threes, the likelihood of those attempts going in is better than those of some guards on the roster.

Basketball is a game that is constantly evolving. If Elgin Baylor hadn’t switched the ball from one hand to another before banking in a layup, the term “layup package” wouldn’t be so heavily used at AAU and EYBL tournaments across America today. The fact is, every generation builds upon the exploits of the previous generation. While Bill Laimbeer of the “Bad Boy” Detroit Pistons was the first center to consistently make 3-pointers, Nikola Vučević is set to continue that tradition in Chicago next season.

Nikola Vučević will be the Most Improved Player next season, not just because he’s one of the best centers in the league, but because his game is suited for the modern era. Centers have to be able to shoot from the perimeter, not just play with their backs to the basket. Vučević is more than capable of making an impact in a variety of ways and helping his team win ball games.

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