Feb. 12, 2026, 9:11 p.m. ET
Sometimes, you just need to study more. And despite being a ways from the last classroom he has set foot in as a student, new Boston Celtics big man Nikola Vucevic had a lot of praise for hitting the books – or more accurately, watching the tape – to play better for Boston when they faced his former team, the Chicago Bulls this Wednesday (Feb. 11) night.
The Montenegrin big man had suited up for the Celtics in his prior play with the team with little knowledge of how Boston prefers to play, or even what his role in that system ought to look like. But Vucevic had time to get a real practice with the team under his belt ahead of his first tilt with the Bulls since they dealt him to the Celtics, and it was evident on the hardwood.
“It helped a lot,” he explained after the 124-105 Boston blowout that saw him log a double-double off the bench. “(I) finally have the time to go through stuff in a little more detail, more reps – that always helps.”
“Before that, I had walked through with the coaches, like at shoot around, and it was just a lot at once,” he said. “I think even that day in between was kind of nice to take some time off and watch some more tape, try to learn the plays a little more.”
“I felt … a little better. So, I think tonight was a good step forward of where we can get to. I think we felt a lot more comfortable out there, and I think the guys felt more comfortable around me and we were able to build some good chemistry. So, it was a good step forward. Glad we got the win and continue to work on it”
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