While Zach LaVine is still on-the-mend for the time being, his return brings intrigue to the young Chicago Bulls roster.
The last time Zach LaVine played in an NBA game, he scored 20 points on 9-of-13 shooting in a loss to the Detroit Pistons… only he was wearing a Minnesota Timberwolves uniform and didn’t finish the game, tearing his ACL in the fourth quarter. Now, LaVine’s plotting his return to basketball.
When the Bulls made the Jimmy Butler trade on draft day, the closest visual of NBA success was a guard entering his fourth year of basketball. Furthermore, the basketball he plays will be in the aftermath of a torn ACL.
LaVine is a heck of a product, consider his 18.9 points per game in the 2016-2017 season, but what will he look like on the repaired knee?
Zach Lavine is due to return at the end of November or early December, per KC Johnson of The Chicago Tribune. Furthermore, he’s eyeing a return to full-contact practice in about two weeks, per Joe Cowley of the Chicago-Sun Times.
Perhaps the casual fan isn’t keeping a close eye on LaVine’s recovery, but it’s mildly important for the future of this franchise. LaVine is a guy who’s planning on signing a long-term contract with the Bulls in the offseason.
This is a guy who wants to be on the floor, but is not, therefore he’s hard to monitor. However, a spin to LaVine’s social media reveals a 22-year-old ready to get back into action.
https://twitter.com/ZachLaVine/status/923739820643450880?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Working everyday to get back and better
— Zach LaVine (@ZachLaVine) October 4, 2017
LaVine’s return has a huge impact on what the Bulls do with the rest of their season. The success of Lauri Markkanen, the continued impact of Robin Lopez, and the effectiveness of more role-oriented players (see Jerian Grant, David Nwaba) shows, at the very least, a trying effort from a team of lesser talent and experience.
So, when Zach LaVine returns to Chicago, the Bulls might look better-than-expected
When the season started, the Bulls lacked an obvious best player. Lauri Markkanen emerged as this player early on, but usually relying on a rookie for all your baskets hurts in the win-loss column (especially as the season wears on).
LaVine’s return adds a clear best player to the Bulls roster. If you want to argue, argue with his 4-year, $35-million shoe deal with Adidas. Sneaker companies aren’t paying top-dollar to sign above-average players.
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Doubting LaVine’s ability to be this team’s best player (at least for this season) is legit; I too am of the breed that needs to see to believe. However, I’ve seen LaVine play; the guy is really, really good.
The 2016-2017 season represented LaVine’s first established starting role, where he excelled in the Timberwolves’ line-up. He played 37.2 minutes a night in his 47 games prior to the injury.
On the offensive side of the rock, LaVine posted an offensive rating of 112, a 2.2 offensive box plus/minus, and a 57.6-true-shooting-percentage. The guy also boasted a solid 0.8 value above replacement and a low, 9.9-turn-over-percentage.
However, where Bulls fans need to look is the athleticism. Prior to the injury, LaVine was one of the most athletic players in the NBA; there’s no questioning that aspect of his game. Take a look at some of his slams from his Slam Dunk Contest Championship performance in 2016:
Head coach Fred Hoiberg willed his way to the creation a more athletic future for his roster. If there’s an area where LaVine adds to any team, it’s his athleticism.
Currently, the Bulls rank 30th in pace, which is atrocious for such a young team.
LaVine’s return to the floor all-but guarantees this team’s increase in speed and ball movement. Additionally, this Bulls rank 26th in the league in transition offense. LaVine’s ability to finish in transition adds a lot more baskets that rank 7th in the NBA in defensive efficiency; converting more of baskets off of turnovers is guaranteed to create more wins for this young team.