Chicago Bulls Core Player Analysis: Zach LaVine
Continuing our breakdown of the key contributors to a contending future for the Chicago Bulls, today our featured player is newly returned guard, Zach LaVine.
Another positive return on the Jimmy Butler deal, ( I gotta admit- nice work on that one, GarPax) Zach LaVine has been a strong fit for the Bulls thus far. Much like Lauri Markkanen, many doubted Zach LaVine in evaluating the trade with Minnesota. There were reservations as to whether or not he could return to his explosive form, coming off ACL surgery.
Steady Improvement
Since his 2014-2015 rookie campaign, LaVine had always been considered something of an athletic marvel. His back to back dunk contest championships demonstrated that to all of us. But Zach rounded his game into something more than jumping out of the gym, through putting in the work- before the injury sidelined him.
LaVine has improved year after year, in what is still a young career. From his first season to his third, he increased his field goal percentage nearly 8 percentage points, from 46.5% to 54.4%. Over that same time period, he upped his efficiency from three-point land: shooting 34.1% from distance his rookie year, and 38.7% last year. Not shockingly, his points per game shot up as well, from 10.1 PPG to 18.9 PPG.
Putting In Work
LaVine’s a gym rat, and clearly wants to hold tight to that moniker. From the seamless way he played in his first game back, Bulls fans saw a player who put forth the effort to return to form. He stepped in ready to shoot, he moved with flow around the court, and without fear. Bulls fans know about rocky returns from injury, but this looked different.
From that first game, LaVine’s integration into the Bulls lineup hasn’t been all roses, however. He’s been struggling with his shooting percentage and defense. His two-point percentage (38.6%) is actually alarmingly close to his three-point percentage (37.5%). But not to worry, Bulls fans…
The minutes restriction is hampering Zach Lavine’s game. I understand it is a necessity in working him back slowly off a serious, long-term injury. I even appreciate it as a strategy toward securing a top draft position. My point is that LaVine is a “flow of the game” player. Once the restrictor plate is lifted, we should start to see more of what the sports car can do.
By the Numbers
As bad as some of his early individual games have been, LaVine’s stats with the Bulls have actually been right in line with his career numbers. With Chicago, he’s averaging 14.5 PPG, 4.6 RPG. and 2.7 APG. His career line is 13.7 PPG, 3.0 RPG, and 2.7 APG. The shooting efficiency obviously has to improve, but we’ll see that happen as his minutes grow, and he regains his footing.
The Future
With Mirotic now pump-faking in the Big Easy, LaVine’s daily role and leadership position on this team will continue to build. Despite his youth, he has a maturity and veteran presence about him. Ironically, it may have been Tom Thibodeau who helped bring that to life.
Next: Bulls play the Kings in a big tank game
I see LaVine’s future as a strong, starting guard on a playoff contending squad. Through the rehab work he put in, his trademark athleticism is still evident. Even against strong defenders, (Avery Bradley of the Clippers for example) he can get to the rack nearly any time he chooses. He’s an alert passer, and I have no doubt that his shooting form will return with time – judging by his improvement in his first few seasons, he won’t sleep until it does. With his quickness, he has shut down defender capability as well.
It remains to be seen if Zach LaVine can be an All-Star level NBA player. Regardless, the Bulls organization and Bulls fans, should feel fortunate to have him on board for the rebuild.