Bulls big man Nikola Vucevic hasn’t tweaked his shot, just his mindset

From a technical standpoint, Bulls center Nikola Vucevic hasn’t changed a thing with his three-point shot.

He hasn’t tweaked his fundamentals or tried a new shooting program.

‘‘Sometimes I’ll do reps, sometimes I’ll do competition shooting,’’ Vucevic said of his process. ‘‘I always look to find some fun. Shooting games and competing against myself are the hardest ones. Nothing crazy. Just reps, reps, reps, continue to work, things I’ve been doing for a long time.’’

What has changed from last season is his attitude.

It has been well-documented that the 2021-22 season was a rough one for Vucevic. Playing alongside DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine for the first time, he took the approach of being the third offensive option. It proved to be a tougher adjustment than he anticipated.

In his days with the Magic, Vucevic was the offense. He was still dependent on teammates passing him the ball, of course, but he wasn’t worried if he missed an easy shot because he knew he likely would get another chance on the next possession.

With DeRozan and LaVine, that wasn’t the case. So when Vucevic missed easy shots or blew a layup last season, he would get stuck on it — sometimes to the point where he would carry it to the other parts of his game. It wasn’t because he questioned his ability but because he knew his opportunities for redemption were fewer.

This season, however, Vucevic’s attitude seems to be less about where he sits on the priority list and more about being a tripod with DeRozan and LaVine. Kick one of the legs out, and they all fail.

‘‘I know how good I am,’’ Vucevic said after the Bulls’ loss Saturday to the 76ers. ‘‘I know what I bring to the table. I’m a two-time All-Star, so I didn’t get to where I am by chance. I know the work I put in, the time I put in.

‘‘It’s just different sometimes for me still playing as a third option. Before, when I was the main option [with the Magic], even if the ball didn’t go in right away, you know I’ll get my shots. Last year, I was pressing a little bit on it. This year, I’m just able to settle my role more.’’

That was evident against 76ers behemoth Joel Embiid. Vucevic finished with 23 points, 19 rebounds and three assists, becoming the first player in franchise history to make five three-pointers on his way to at least 20 points and 15 rebounds.

And he made the five three-pointers on seven tries, displaying his efficiency. He is shooting 36.4% from three-point range this season after shooting a dismal 31.4% on threes last season.

And if LaVine had a little better court vision, who knows? With the game there for the taking and 37.8 seconds left, LaVine settled for a 20-foot jumper that he missed. He didn’t notice a wide-open Vucevic to his left, all but unguarded behind the arc in the corner.

‘‘After looking at it, I should’ve thrown it to Vooch,’’ LaVine said afterward. ‘‘It was a bad read on my part. If you’re gonna take it, make it. If not, I gotta find Vooch. I wish I was able to redo it.’’

Vucevic, however, wasn’t about to point any fingers.

‘‘I don’t think [LaVine] saw me,’’ Vucevic said. ‘‘It was a solid shot by him; it just didn’t go in. I didn’t want to yell or anything because he was going into the shot and I didn’t want to disturb him. I know he didn’t miss me on purpose.’’