Chicago Bulls player grades: Robin Lopez and Zach LaVine

Continuing with my Chicago Bulls player grades for the 2017-2018 season, last but not least: Robin Lopez and Zach LaVine.

Robin Lopez: A

Many of you might be wondering how I came up with an A grade for Robin Lopez. You might be thinking, “he didn’t really do that much.” While you’d be correct in a statistical analysis of his season, you would be incorrect in the overall impact he’s had on this team.

One thing that goes underappreciated for a team that’s rebuilding is having quality veterans that can show the young guys the ways of the league. Robin Lopez did an excellent job of that this season.

He was involved in trade rumors throughout the entire season, he got benched for no reason other than that the Bulls were deliberately trying to lose more games, and he still managed to be a good teammate and support the young fellas.

Watch how he celebrates the success of Markkanen’s nice play despite not playing a single minute of his own in the final game of the season:

https://twitter.com/DefPenHoops/status/984247470350831616

So, Robin Lopez, you get an A for being a great teammate.

Also, he averaged 12 points and 5 rebounds on over 50 percent shooting from the field. It’s not like he was bad statistically.

Zach LaVine: B-

Some might think this is a bit generous due to LaVine’s inconsistencies this season, but let’s not forget what this season was for him. This was his return to basketball.

If he wasn’t rusty that would frankly be a little odd.

Despite LaVine being extremely inefficient, he still managed to put up nearly 17 points per game and at times, looked like a shadow of what he could be.

Only playing in 24 games after recovering from a torn ACL, and having to adjust to a new team at the same time wouldn’t be easy for any player – let alone one that just turned 23-years-old.

In my opinion, the potential that LaVine flashed during this season far outweighs the negatives in his game that were often on display.

Everyone knows about the game against the Timberwolves. It was really his only great game. But he showed flashes of greatness in other games we well. On February 5th, he scored 27 points on an efficient 9-18 shooting from the field, including this absolutely absurd dunk.

The Chicago Bulls lost this game but the silver-lining is in the dunk highlight. Yes, it was nice to see LaVine have an efficient shooting night, but that will come with time as he continues to get back to his old self. But seeing that he has no mental set-backs as far as attacking the basket is an extremely positive sign of what’s to come for LaVine.

Next: Rose gives Bulls fans a throwback playoff performance

It looks like LaVine has no fear of going at people and meeting them at the rim, which is exactly what the Bulls need him to do.