Zach LaVine’s struggles have left the Chicago Bulls with more questions than answers

Zach LaVine has played inconsistently since he returned to the court on Jan. 13. His inconsistent play, along with his questionable fit with the roster, murky contract situation and ACL tear have left the Chicago Bulls with more questions than answers as the season concludes and the franchise prepares for a critical offseason.

Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine has consistently struggled with inconsistent play since he returned to the court vs. the Detroit Pistons on Jan. 13. For each standout game the 23-year-old guard has when he dazzles fans with his athleticism and scoring ability – like his performance against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Feb. 9 where he scored a season-high 35 points and came through in the clutch against his former team – there’s an equally frustrating game of LaVine’s, such as his March 5 showing against the Boston Celtics when he went 1-of-11 from the field and only scored four points.

"‘‘It’s just frustrating with the consistency,’’ said LaVine, according to a March 10 Chicago Sun-Times article. ‘‘You have two good games, two bad games, a good game, a bad game, something like that. You can’t keep your head down for too long. Get it out of your head and get on to the next one.’’"

By his own standards, LaVine has experienced significant offensive struggles during the 2017-18 season. He is shooting a career-low 38.3 percent from the field in his first 24 games with the Chicago Bulls. LaVine can hardly get a bucket from anywhere on the floor. He has shot career-lows from every area of the court except on non-corner 3-pointers. Even then, LaVine’s only knocked down a very average 36 percent (49 percentile) of his non-corner threes.

LaVine was one of the league’s most efficient wing scorers during the 2016-17 season with the Minnesota Timberwolves, 1.16 points per shot attempt (82nd percentile) with a 54.7 percent effective field goal percentage (77th percentile). But now, he’s one of its worst, 1.01 points per shot attempt (18th percentile) with a 44.3 percent effective field goal percentage (9th percentile) this season with the Chicago Bulls.

LaVine has struggled at the rim

LaVine’s most startling shortcoming has been his inability to efficiently finish at the rim this season. His inefficiency on jump shots is expected. LaVine is still getting back into game shape and trying to regain his rhythm on the court.

But, one would think he would manage to finish at the rim, at least at a respectable rate, despite coming off an injury. Even though LaVine doesn’t fully have his legs underneath him, he’s still one of the elite athletes of the league. The combination of his explosiveness and feathery touch should’ve helped finish around the rim when contested at a more proficient clip.

However, that hasn’t been the case. LaVine’s in the 13th percentile of field goal percentage at the rim. He’s been blocked on 17.3 percent of his field goal attempts in the paint and in the restricted area this season. This is an uptick from the 14.2 percent of LaVine’s shot in the paint and restricted area that were blocked last season with the Timberwolves.

He doesn’t have the same burst that he did before his ACL tear. Interior defenders have an easier time altering LaVine’s field goal attempts near the basket even when they can’t block them.

LaVine’s shots at the rim that would’ve been dunk attempts, and potential game-shifting dunks, last year are layups this season. He’s finishing those layups at a much worse rate, too. LaVine has shot 45.4 percent on layups during the 2017-18 campaign, which is down from the 55.2 percent of his layup attempts he made during the 2016-17 season.

There isn’t a guarantee LaVine will recapture the scoring effectiveness he displayed during the first 30 games of last season when he scored 21.2 points per game on 47.5 percent shooting from the field and 41.1 percent from beyond the arc.

He was already tailing off in the 17 games before his injury by scoring 14.9 points per game on 42.5 percent shooting from the field and 33 percent shooting 3-point land, numbers that are closer to his current averages.

The Chicago Bulls must hope LaVine’s first 30 games last season are a better indicator of the kind of offensive player he is than the last 41 games he’s played in.

LaVine’s defense is still an issue

Defense has always been a significant weakness of LaVine’s game. There’s a reason he’s ranked in the bottom 13th percentile in real defensive plus/minus every season since he joined the league in 2014. It’s something he’s acknowledged himself in a Jan. 12 The Athletic article:

"“A lot of people only criticized me for not being the best defender, it’s just always been my off-the-ball that’s been tough coming from a situation in college where, you know, sometimes you’re just not taught the correct way. I know I can be very, very good on the ball, and all the signs show that. I shouldn’t be lacking on that end. So I definitely took it into consideration this year. I’ve improved a lot on and off the ball. But I’m definitely not a one-dimensional or a one-sided player. I’m a winner. I want to do everything I can to be the best player I can be. So I’m definitely taking more pride on that side of the ball.”"

In LaVine’s defense (no pun intended), he’s right. When he locks in, he’s a competent on-ball defender. LaVine can use his length, a 6-foot-9 wingspan, athleticism and foot speed to disrupt opposing ball handlers and contests their field goal attempts.

"‘‘The biggest improvement with Zach has been his on-ball competitiveness,’’ said Head Coach Fred Hoiberg, according to a March 10 Chicago Sun-Times article. ‘‘He has given us some very good minutes with on-ball defense. Off the ball, he still needs work. We watch film with him every day on that to make improvements where he’s a complete defensive player. It’s understanding where to be and the right spots.”"

LaVine has lapses on defense

His lapses on defense are the norm, not the exception. LaVine loses track of his man far too often because he neglects one simple component of off-ball defense; keeping your eyes on both the ball and the man you’re defending.

LaVine’s lack of focus on the defensive end rears its ugly head when he’s guarding his man one-on-one, too. He carelessly reaches for the ball or gives up on plays far too often. This allows the player LaVine is defending greater opportunities to blow by him and set-up scoring opportunities for themselves and others. The worst part is LaVine doesn’t consistently hustle back after he slips up, he just allows the mistake to pile onto itself.

Fixing LaVine’s shortcomings on the defensive end of the floor shouldn’t be incredibly difficult. It’s going to require he consistently stays focused, disciplined and aware on defense. The question surrounding LaVine isn’t his ability to become a better defender. The question, and one the Chicago Bulls and LaVine will need to answer for themselves, is whether LaVine will consistently put forth the consistent effort necessary to be a reliable player on the defensive end of the floor.

"“His shooting is critical,” said Tom Thibodeau, former Bulls Head Coach and current Minnesota Timberwolves Head Coach, according to a Oct. 20, 2016 Sporting News article. “His athleticism, the way he can run the floor. And there’s no reason he can’t be an excellent defensive player.”"

LaVine is standing out but not fitting in

LaVine’s struggles are only amplified by his tendency to stand out in a negative manner. The Chicago Bulls are already one of the worst teams in the league. However, they’re significantly worse when LaVine is on the court. The Bulls play like a 23-win team when LaVine is on the bench, which is awful. But, they play like a 14-win team when LaVine is on the court, which is historically awful.

The Chicago Bulls atrocious defense, No. 27 in points per 100 possessions allowed, sinks to all-time matador levels, 115.3 points per 100 possessions allowed when LaVine is on the floor in part because of his defensive shortcomings. The Bulls are equally pathetic offensively, No. 27 in points per 100 possessions. Yet, they only post an embarrassing 103.1 points per 100 possessions when LaVine is on the court.

Even though his assist percentage numbers have increased from last season, LaVine isn’t a good distributor. He gets into zones when he focuses too much on scoring instead of allowing the offense to come to him and make the right play. LaVine kills the flow of the offense with contested pull-up jumpers or ill-advised shots. He’s putting up shots like a superstar. He just doesn’t make enough of them.

To his credit, LaVine has displayed the ability to make these kinds of shots with ease.

But, more often than not, the outcome of these contested looks isn’t in the Chicago Bulls favor.

LaVine hasn’t adapted well with the Chicago Bulls

He especially hasn’t fit in well with guard Kris Dunn and forward Lauri Markkanen. Those guys, along with LaVine, are two of the Bulls highly valued pieces from the summer 2017 blockbuster trade involving Minnesota Timberwolves guard Jimmy Butler. The Chicago Bulls have been outscored by 21.6 points per 100 possessions when the young trio shares the floor (sheesh).

LaVine and Dunn both want the ball in their hands to do damage on the offensive end of the floor. The power struggle between the two has devolved into the two taking turns on the offensive end. This back-and-forth has created an ineffective, stagnant and uninspiring offense that frequently leaves Markkanen out of the mix.

"“It’s gonna be a tug of war, a tug and pull between somebody,” said LaVine, according to a March 6 NBCSportsChicago.com article. “That’s for us to figure out. It’s either with somebody’s play or mentality-wise; we have to be better with that.”"

The best option for the Bulls is for LaVine to focus on doing his damage off the ball when he shares the court with Dunn and Markkanen. Dunn is the superior distributor and LaVine’s shooting ability makes him a stronger off-ball threat. Plus, the Dunn-Markkanen pick-and-roll/pop with LaVine coming off pin-down screens has the potential to be a dangerous weapon.

LaVine clearly has the alpha dog trait in him. He and the Chicago Bulls need to figure out if he’ll be willing to fit in when the team needs him to and standout in a positive way when the game requires him to do so.

Defense of LaVine

It’s too early to say LaVine won’t be the player the Chicago Bulls, and LaVine himself, expect he can be. He has been working himself back into game shape this season. And by LaVine’s own admission, he still isn’t 100 percent.

NBCSportsChicago Bulls Insider Vincent Goodwill said LaVine feels like he was at 70 percent during the Bulls March 5 game vs. the Celtics. Goodwill said LaVine will work on the strength on left leg over the summer so he can become a one-legged jumper again instead of having to jump off two legs.

Bulls haven’t used LaVine correctly

Also, it hurts that the Bulls haven’t used LaVine correctly during his short stint with the team. As I said back in January when I previewed his return to the court, LaVine excels when he’s running off screens and spotting up for three-point attempts. He made 42.2 percent of his catch-and-shoot threes off 3.9 attempts per game last season with the Timberwolves. His frequency in catch-and-shooting 3-point attempts has decreased to 1.7 attempts per game with the Bulls.

LaVine’s asked to create something out of nothing for himself too often with the Chicago Bulls. Nearly 50 percent of his field goal attempts occur after he takes three or more dribbles. For contrast, LaVine shot the ball off three or more dribbles on only 28.5 percent of his field goal attempts last year.

The lack of creators on the Bulls is making life harder for him. LaVine’s teammates assisted him on nearly 60 percent of his made shots last season with the Timberwolves. Now, his teammates have assisted him on only 36 percent of his field goals this season with the Bulls.

LaVine’s leaving the Chicago Bulls with a lot of questions about his game with his performance so far this season. But, the Bulls are left questions about whether they can consistently utilize LaVine correctly.

Problems persist

A significant amount of the issues LaVine is experiencing were prevalent before he joined the Chicago Bulls. He has had a reputation as a good scorer and shooter who struggled on the defensive end and as a distributor since he came into the league.

"“I feel like I’m going to be a very good player in this league,” said LaVine, according to a Jan. 12 The Athletic article. “And I want to continue to prove myself.”"

The Chicago Bulls don’t have a lot of time to waste. LaVine will become a restricted free agent this summer. With an increased likelihood LaVine could be shut down for the remainder of the season because of his tendonitis, the Chicago Bulls will be left to figure out the answers to the questions he has left them with.

Chicago could be better off agreeing to a short-term deal with LaVine to buy themselves more time to evaluate him. LaVine may be better as a sixth-man, in a similar vein to Timberwolves guard Jamal Crawford or Los Angeles Clippers guard Lou Williams. If LaVine commands too much money in the free agency market, the Chicago Bulls could be better off just letting him walk. LaVine may not significantly improve his game to reduce his weaknesses as a distributor or defender. He may not be able to be the scorer he was last season with the Timberwolves again. There’s a lot of uncertainty surrounding the Bulls-LaVine situation.

Next: Should the Bulls consider Zach LaVine as the future 6th man?

But, one thing is certain. The Chicago Bulls need to nail this decision. Because if they don’t, it could be the decision that derails the progress in the rebuild of the illustrious franchise.