After five years with the Chicago Bulls, Montenegrin basketball player Nikola Vučević changed his midfield, arrived in Boston as part of a trade and made his debut for the famous franchise last night. The Celtics, after a major turnaround, defeated Miami 98:96, after being down 21 points at halftime (59:38), and Baranin participated in that turnaround in a great way - he had a double-double performance of 11 points and 12 rebounds, with four assists and two steals in 28 minutes, so he continued his excellent performances in the Boston jersey.
"I think I'll fit in well with the way Boston plays, the way they look to play offensively. The talent that's present here will make my job easier. It all fits nicely with the way I like to play," Vucevic said at his first conference as a Boston player.
He explained how he found out about the trade and joining the Celtics.
"Luckily for me, we were in Milwaukee when the trade happened. Chicago's president of basketball operations, Arturas Karnišovas, called me and told me I was going to the Celtics. It was 20-30 minutes before the news broke. I was excited. I had a chance to drive to Chicago, see my family and pack. The next morning I was in Boston. Boston is obviously a team that is aiming for the top of the table, that is trying to win a title. This is a unique opportunity for me, I did not expect it to happen. I always loved playing against the Celtics at TD Garden. The fans are great, they respect the game. Of course they support the Celtics, but they also respect the opponent when they play well. Over the years, I have been linked a lot with moving to Boston. When I would come here and walk around the city, fans would come up to me and say how much they would like me to come. Now it has happened and I am very happy. I will do my best to help the team as much as possible," said Vucevic, who is averaging 16,9 points and nine rebounds this season.
Adaptation will not be a problem.
"You just have to adjust to life on the fly. To adapt to a new system, a new offense, defense, teammates, style of play. But it's all part of the process. When you get traded during the season, you have to be patient, take it one step at a time. I have more experience now, I've been through a lot, I know what it takes and I'm taking steps to get used to everything."
Boston is fighting for the top spot. The team is in second place in the Eastern Conference with 34 wins and 18 losses.
"I'm very motivated and excited to have the opportunity to play in the playoffs. It's something every basketball player wants, and unfortunately I haven't had many such opportunities in my career. That's why I'm excited to be here, to be surrounded by players and coaching staff who have that experience. There's also the Celtics tradition. I'm excited about this opportunity and I hope I can help the team achieve a lot of success," Vučević said honestly.
And in addition to Vučević having to adapt to the new environment, his teammates also have to adapt to him.
"Over time, I will see how I can best fit into the team. Just as all of this is new for me, it is also new for my teammates and the coaching staff. That's why I say it will take time. I fully understand that my role will be different from the one in Orlando and Chicago, and that's okay. It will take some time to get used to, but it's all part of the process. I am here to help in any way I can to make the team better. I will try to do whatever is asked of me. I hope we make a deep breakthrough in the playoffs," said the Montenegrin basketball player.
Vučević got a chance off the bench against Boston, and reporters were curious if the plan was for him to always come off the bench.
"I really don't know. I was told I'd get a chance off the bench tonight. I don't know what the rotations will be in the future. The coach told me to be flexible. I guess I'll start some games and not others. It doesn't matter to me whether I start or come off the bench. Whatever - just help the team."
Coach Joe Mazula spoke with Vučević, and the Montenegrin basketball player is satisfied with how the first conversation went.
"I spoke to the coach, it's very positive. He likes to be flexible. He uses different starting fives, different rotations. I told him I'm completely open to that. I like that he's direct. He's clearly set his expectations of me and the way he sees me. I also like his approach. I noticed that he likes to joke around, but he's serious about his job. I like that combination. I like the way he thinks, how he sees the game. I think I'll fit in well with that style."
Reporters also asked Vučević about his three-point shooting. Baranin shot 37,6 percent from three this season while playing for Chicago.
"I started shooting three-pointers in my fifth or sixth season in the NBA. At that point, we had a new management in Orlando, who insisted that I start working seriously on my three-point shot. At first, I was a bit resistant, because I was a player who shot from half-distance and from the racket and I didn't feel comfortable. It took time to get used to it and get good at it. When you first start shooting three-pointers, and you miss the first, second, third three-pointers, then you think: 'I want to get back to what I do best.' But over time, I put in a lot of work and I became more confident. It's also about the mindset - you have to accept that it's a three-point shot and not worry about missing it at the beginning. Every year I've shot more and more and it's become part of my game. Now when I hit three-pointers, the opponents take over on defense, which gives me different opportunities - I have the opportunity to enter, to attack directly with a dribble, I can spread the court, do various "Things. In today's basketball, it's a great luxury to have a 'stretch' five on your team. Everyone is looking for that and I hope I can provide that in Boston," Vučević explained.
Chicago and Boston are different, but they also have similarities.
"The difference is in the way of playing here and in Chicago. But that's basketball. I think everything will be fine over time when I get a feel for my new teammates and when they get used to me. I'll have to break certain habits from Chicago and adapt to new things. But there are also similar things - some of the plays we played in Chicago are similar to the plays in Boston and I'll be able to do that without a problem. In Boston, they're detailed, they go through a lot of things and I like that. The preparation for the games is very thorough, that's what I expected here and that's what I heard before coming to Boston, so I'm glad to see that.
Vučević has a chance to do something big with Boston in the playoffs.
"For me, moving to Boston is an additional motivation. I'm 35 years old, but I still feel like I can play at a high level. I have a chance to play in the playoffs, to fight for something big. I'm excited about that chance. I've never really had it in my career. I wish it had happened earlier, but it's here now and I'm going to try to make the most of it. To be the best version of myself and help the team," Nikola pointed out.
Finally, he is also delighted with the city.
"I liked the city. I like to tour most of the cities I visit, look around, see what's going on. I have the impression that people are proud to be from Boston - you can feel it. A great city with a European flair. I'm looking forward to the opportunity to tour the city and get to know it better," concluded Nikola Vučević, his first address as a Boston player.
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