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The tallest player in the draft, Nikola Vucevic went to the Sixers with the 16th pick in the 2011 NBA Draft. Derek and I got a chance to attend his first-ever press conference as a Sixer in the bowels of the Prudential Center. I spoke with him a bit beforehand as well. Meet your new Sixers center.
Me: Welcome to the Sixers, Nikola.
Shakes massive hand.
Nikola: Thanks, I'm excited to be there.
Me: Have you decided on a jersey number yet?
Nikola: When do I need to decide by?
Me: Uhhhh.... I don't know.
Nikola: I'll think about it.
Me: Are you excited to work with Elton Brand?
Nikola: Yeah I think he's a great player and we'll work well together. They have a very young team.
More of the actual press conference after the jump. I cut out the fluff questions about feeling good because they're worthless.
Q: Nikola, your thoughts on being drafted by the Sixers?
First, I wanted to say that this was by far the greatest moment of my life. When I heard my name called, I was just going to hold myself, I had to cry a little bit and hug my parents and my agent. It was a great feeling. I'm looking forward to the next step now. It's just starting now and I'm going to work as hard as I ever did now to play at the next level.
Q: Philadelphia is on the cusp with a lot of good, young players, and they lack at the five position, and you bring that type of consistent play. How much are you looking forward to getting an opportunity to possibly start on opening night?
That's something that's kind of far now. I'm just looking forward to get in the process and start practicing with the team and working out and get to know my teammates and then whatever happens, happens. I'm not thinking about starting or anything. I just want to get my team and work as hard as I can and get some playing time.
Liberty Ballers: When you worked out for Doug Collins, what was the one aspect of your game he said you needed to work on?
He didn't really tell me anything. I met with him once in Philly and once in Chicago at the combine. I felt like those were the two best meetings I had. Coach Collins, he told me he wished he could bring me in and he really only told me good things about me. I guess now that I'm with them, he's probably going to tell me what to work on.
Q: Philadelphia has a great young team and tons of potential, how excited are you to join that young core?
Like I said, it's one of my favorite teams I wanted to get picked by. I played against Jrue Holiday when he was at UCLA so I know him a little bit and I got to meet a couple of players when I went there to work out. I think they are a great fit for me and I think I will be able to fit in there really well and I'm really looking forward to it.
Liberty Ballers: Did you know before today that the 76ers would take you?
I kind of knew but not 100% for sure. I kind of knew, so I had an idea where I could go.
More analysis to come over the next million years, but for now let's let this settle and hope the Sixers nab somebody that can make a run at a roster spot in the 2nd round.