Zach LaVine leads the Chicago Bulls to an impressive victory

In a highly emotional game at the United Center, the Chicago Bulls got the best of Jimmy Butler and the Wolves as they snapped their seven game losing streak with their best win of the season. Final score: 114-113. 

Tonight was possibly the most anticipated game of the entire season for the Chicago Bulls. Playing their only nationally televised game of the year, and with the return of Jimmy Butler and Taj Gibson, tonight was a big night for all involved.

While many knew about the chip on Jimmy Butler’s shoulder coming into tonight’s game in Chicago, Doris Burke brought up an interesting point during the broadcast – Zach LaVine might have just as big of a chip on his shoulder.

The “#fireGarPax billboard” displayed in Chicago after the infamous Jimmy Butler trade surely made Zach LaVine feel under appreciated, and as if he had something to prove. Now that he’s back from injury, I’m sure he was just as hyped as Butler to face his former team.

So how did the individuals stack up?  

To put it simply: both Jimmy Butler and Zach LaVine played phenomenal basketball.

While Gibson had a relatively quiet game (10 points and 5 rebounds), Jimmy finished with a game-high 38 points to go along with 7 rebounds, 5 assists, and 4 steals. It was clear from the get-go that this was more than a game for Jimmy. Check out the emotional video tribute for both Taj and him. If this doesn’t make Bulls fans a little teary-eyed, I’m not sure what will.

But just like it was for Butler, this was more than a game for LaVine, too.

LaVine finished with a season-high 35 points to go along with 5 rebounds and 2 steals, not to mention flashing the clutch gene whilst scoring the Bulls final 11 points and leading them to their dramatic comeback victory.

LaVine showed Chicago Bulls fans that he has the potential to be the future of the franchise. Not only that, but an All-NBA talent as well.

His aggression was obvious from the beginning with this play less than four minutes into the game (keep in mind this was only his 12th game back from his torn ACL recovery):

https://twitter.com/chicagobulls/status/962157517517176833

This was only the beginning of what turned out to be a career night for the young and coming star.

LaVine entered clear take-over mode where he was willing to put the team on his back and the results in his hands. This is just one example of that mentality:

Oh yeah, and did I mention his athleticism seems to be better than it’s ever been? (FYI: This was in clutch-time):

https://twitter.com/chicagobulls/status/962188045981290496

LaVine followed this up with a three-pointer to tie the game with less than a minute remaining and then sank three clutch free throws to seal the win.

What a revenge game for LaVine against the team that traded him.

Tonight, the Bulls didn’t look like a rebuilding team.

The spotlight was on LaVine and Butler the entire night (and rightfully so). However, the Bulls starters played exceptionally well, helping contribute to the best win of the season.

The poise this team showed after being down double-digits at half speaks a lot to the competitive nature of the roster, despite the general lack of talent. It also speaks to Coach Hoiberg’s ability to reach his team in the locker room.

All five Bulls starters scored in double figures and shot the ball at an extremely efficient 54% as a team.

This was undoubtedly the best game of the season for the Chicago Bulls. It sent a message to the rest of the NBA about what’s to come in the future – and that’s Zach LaVine.