Sixers Think They’ve Hit Gold With Nikola Vucevic
Some draft picks don’t materialize into good players.
Remember Christian Welp? How about Kenny Payne? Shawn Bradley?
Oh, we could go on and on here. The NBA Draft is an inexact science. Gems can be found late in the first round and deep into the second round.
You select a kid and hope he develops with your organization.
Look at the 76ers. There’s Jrue Holiday, Thaddeus Young, Lou Williams, Evan Turner, etc. All were picked by the Sixers and all have tremendous upside.
You must add Nikola Vucevic to the mix.
Before the NBA lockout took effect, the Sixers took the 7-foot, 260-pound Vucevic from USC with the 16th overall selection in the first round. Vucevic played three seasons at USC and won over the Sixers’ brain trust with his skills on the court and interview off the court.
Through the first 10 games, Vucevic has become a fan favorite at Wells Fargo Center with his smooth jumper and deft moves in the low post.
He can play and the fans picked up on that fact immediately.
“I fell in love with him the first time I saw the kid,” Sixers coach Doug Collins said. “He’s really ball-friendly. He knows how to play, and the guys on the team like him and trust him. The coaches like him and trust him. That’s why (president) Rod Thorn and I were praying on draft night that that guy was going to be there for us.”
Vucevic has received extended minutes and has shown an ability to shoot from beyond the arc. It’s no surprise to the Sixers.
“The first day in camp, Nik was knocking down shots with regularity,” said forward Elton Brand. “We knew he could play. I think the sky’s the limit for the kid. He has confidence and we have confidence in him.”
When you’re drafted, there’s no guarantee what type of situation you’ll face. You could be headed to a poor team like the Kings, Nets or Wizards.
Vucevic was fortunate enough to come to the rising Sixers, who are winning games and moving in the right direction. Then they traded forward Marreese Speights, opening up more opportunities for Vucevic.
“After I was drafted, coach Collins and I talked about what my role would be,” Vucevic said. “He told me to be ready to play and that you never know in this league. He told me all the things he loved about my game and what he expected from me. I knew I had to be ready, and if I was, good things could happen.
“Then I find out we traded Marreese and suddenly my minutes increase. It’s been great. I’m trying to fit into the team scheme. The coaches have been great in guiding me along. I feel very, very confident when they call my name.”
How about the fans’ reaction?
“Incredible feeling,” Vucevic said.
Before going to USC, Vucevic pondered his options about playing in Europe. He ultimately chose the college route which led him to the Sixers.
“I think it was the right way to go,” Vucevic said. “I didn’t want to turn pro at 18 and play right away in Europe. I knew I had to get better and going to USC was the proper way to do that. It helped me improve my game to where I needed to be. I’m very happy with where I am now.”
So are the Sixers. This kid is on his way to being a major factor in the success of this franchise.
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