Vucevic looking comfortable in starter's role
The latest 76ers news from Philly.com.
Vucevic looking comfortable in starter's role
John Mitchell, Inquirer Staff Writer
You’ve got to like the way that rookie Nik Vucevic has responded to the responsibility of taking over for Spencer Hawes as the 76ers starting center.
Sixers coach Doug Collins said he knew shortly after the Sixers’ 103-79 loss to Boston that the 21-year old center was going to be a starter in the team’s next game at New Jersey after he checked in with 14 points, 13 boards and a pair of blocks in 29 minutes.
Over the last three games, Vucevic, the starter in consecutive wins at New Jersey and Toronto, has averaged 10 points per game and 8.6 rebounds. He is shooting the ball well from the field (he shoots it well with either hand, which is nice) as well, making 13 of 24 (54.1 percent) of his field goals over the last three games.
It should be pointed out that Vucevic preferred to come off the bench early in the season. Collins liked him in that role as well because the rookie seemed to be more comfortable taking in the game – understandable for a first-year guy – getting a handle on how the game is being played and then checking in with the second unit.
That luxury is gone, however, and it is a big challenge for him to be out there for the tip.
Who knows if the lineup changes – Jodie Meeks has replaced Evan Turner in the backcourt – will continue to provide the spark we’ve seen? What we do know is that the two road victories are the first back-to-back road wins for the Sixers since they defeated Cleveland and Charlotte way back on Feb. 11-13.
What’s also crucial is that the Sixers’ defense appears to have resurfaced. In those four losses prior to these last two wins, which have come by an average of 19.5 points, the Sixers allowed Boston, Toronto, Orlando and Miami to average 97 points per game while making an average of 48.1 percent of their field goals.
In their two wins over New Jersey and Toronto, the Sixers have held them to 88 and 75 points, respectively, and the two lottery bound clubs have made just 37.5 percent of their field goals.
Contact staff writer John N. Mitchell at jmitchell@philly.com. Follow him on Twitter @JmitchInquirer
Vuk's prolonged benching corresponded with the Sixers' recent slump. There's more to it of course but his contribution at center over that period was really missed.— Leegles- He eats minutes vs weak centers which is ok with me. When we play good centers you have to go with Hawes, Brand and Battie— OG
- Let's try the 3rd paragraph again John:
Over the last three games, Vucevic, the starter in consecutive wins at New Jersey and Toronto, has averaged 10 points and 8.6 rebounds while shooting an efficient 13 of 24 (54.1 percent) from the field. His veteran-like poise and deft shooting touch, so impressive earlier this season, was on full display last night as Vucevic showed his ability to finish at the rim with either hand (check out his highlight on 76ers.com). It makes one wonder why it took so long for Doug to put him in the starting lineup.— estevus2 - Go Teach English !!! — dmanphilly
- 1) Look at the competition Vucevic faced, lets not get carried away. 2) Defense wins championships, but no one ever said you need to play defense for 48 minutes. Good teams in the recent years like Miami or Lakers can turn up the D with superior athletism during crucial moments. I applaud Sixers for trying to sustain a tough D for 48 min, but it is just too taxing on the bodies, especially in the offensive friendly league.— penncrow19
- Nets and Raptors. Whoopee!— 2smart4philly
- OG .. HAWES R U KIDDING!!!!— bill poore
- And who else would you put in there against better centers... Battie not going to give starter minutes. Vuc is a nice player I am now on the "Bring Cousins to Philly Bandwagon"
It's time to look at 3 way trades.— BigVilFromWestPhil - OR... should we try to move up and draft Andre Drummond?— BigVilFromWestPhil
Comment removed.- This is a wonderful young nucleus, but the team will never flourish when the leaders are two max salary players, with max salary egos, but limited talent. Rod Thorn and the owners must give Doug Collins relief from this, evn if it means going the amnesty route with Iguadola.— tomficara
- @tom: Completely agree with you on Iguodala having a "max salary ego"; after all, he feels that Lou Williams needs to improve on D(like a lot of scorers do), but Iggy suggests no improvement needed for himself(dribbling, shooting). You see that scene last night when Rollins was interacting with Galvis, seeming genuinely happy for Galvis' success? To me, that's positive leadership, and I can't remember the last time I've seen that from Iguodala. Regarding Vuc, he's been a decent find by the 76ers, but time and experience will tell how good a pick(and player) he will become. For certain, he will need some new teammates, particularly in the frontcourt. Too many draft picks over the last 20 years, when DiLeo started, have either failed or flatlined after some early success.— 76erfn
- force wade and lebron to shoot weak side 3s. double both the post From the baseline NOT THE PERIMETER! NO! 3'S! first pass out rotate to the rim for the rebound. short close out the weakside star's LEFT HAND!. Send them MIDDLE! The big that doubles MUST! MOVE! drop to the rim for the rebound. no shot? go into the help position on the opposite side. FLASH IMMEDIATELY WITH ARMS EXTENDED to eliminate the drive. ANTICIPATE THE DRIVE! No shot? No drive after you have plugged the drive? REPEAT! Spencer Hawes can shut BOTH LEBRON AND WADE down on the wing BUT HE MUST ANTICIPATE! AND MOVE!!!! 1.double the post 2. drop to the rim 3. plug the driving lane. PLUG WITH HANDS HIGH!!! 4. repeat. NO 3'S!!! NO DRIVES!! AND RUN!! !!!!!!!! PUSH THE SIDE LINE!! meet brand on the block. stay out of the shock. if they Score GET THE BALL OUT OF THE NET IMMEDIATELY AND PUSH IT BACK! garnett, bass and boozer have become "respectable" both all three are the same brand.. close them out HARD close the left hand ALL THE WAY OUT force them to put it down going right and reload. they are practicing that catch and shoot 15' j. probably DREAMING about that shot. but ALL 3 use the "right to left" 1.2. step for consistency. mix close outs with leaving em out there. ust enough to make them think. a close game they will miss. a blowout like the last game v boston and they make em all.— combocancer1975
- 11:38 remaining in the 2nd. Turner when jrue clears the side ATTACK! Don't bail the defense out by calling a play. Attack with the intent of scoring or setting up a team-mate. THATS YOUR PLAY! It's an isolation. GO! But if jrue has the ball get to the halfcourt line. 11:08 after the dunk. WE WENT INTO A STATE OF SHOCK! That very reaction IS WHAT KILLS US V MIAMI! After a wade or lebron dunk or jumper. WE GOTTA BREAK THAT REACTION! GET THE BALL BACK INBOUNDS and push up the sideline. Inbound, Pass, Pass, bucket! Jrue you should have thrown it to thad. Got a running start. TURNER SHOULDN'T BE IN THE PICTURE! he's the 3! HES SUPPOSED TO BE AT THE END LINE! @ 11:06 jrue lou and turner are PERFECTLY! CONNECTED! with turner running to the end line Lou at the halfcourt line and jrue getting a running start. We gotta make the mental transition from DEFENSE TO OFFENSE a faster process. WITHOUT THINKING! The same way thad does it on offense to defense after WE SCORE and HE IMMEDIATELY TRAPS! Turner you gotta be on it. The only way you will bring the ball ALL OF THE WAY from the free throw line down is if you get the defensive board. If you don't get the board. RUN!!! Push the ball IMMEDIATELY AFTER ALL MAKES AND MISSES! 8:32 jrue stay with Spencer he's open. Wide open. That's a foul waiting to happen or a lay up. Brand with a quick post up (15 sec left on the shot clock) is the goal if the sideline break comes up empty. More possessions = more points.— combocancer1975
- He should have been starting like have the season ago. He is the only legitimate starting quality center we have on the roster. Collins came to that conclusion rather swiftly.. cough.— Zeru
John Mitchell is in his second year covering the 76ers for the Inquirer after joining the paper in November 2011. He covered the Washington Wizards for the Washington Times from 1998 to 2008. He's also worked at the Philadelphia Tribune, the Wilmington News Journal, Courier-Post, Trenton Times and Elmira Star-Gazette.Born and raised in West Philadelphia - not too far from Will Smith - he graduated from Overbrook High School the same year the 76ers won their last championship. He's a proud graduate of Howard University and the proud father of two sons, Jared and Jordan.
ABOUT MARC NARDUCCI
Marc Narducci has served in a variety of roles with the Inquirer since beginning in 1983. He has covered the 76ers as a backup and a beat writer. In addition, Narducci has covered everything from the Super Bowl to the World Series and a lot in between. Narducci also has a true passion for South Jersey scholastic sports, which he has covered for many years.
