Chicago Bulls: 3 things Zach LaVine must improve on this season

Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine has an opportunity to prove that he was worth every penny of his contract extension. What are the three things he must do to improve himself?

Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine is only 23 years old and still has a lot to prove. The Bulls organization showed just how valueable of an asset LaVine is, by matching the Sacramento Kings offer sheet of 4 years and $78 million this past summer.

LaVine showed flashes of his quickness and athleticism after returning from an ACL injury. Now with a full offseason behind him, LaVine needs to focus on the upcoming season. He has shown what he can do and has gotten off to a great start this preseason.

1. Be a consistent and reliable scorer

With their most reliable scoring option, Lauri Markkanen, out for a while, Zach LaVine is the top scoring option for the Bulls. Last season LaVine averaged 16.7 points per game in 24 games.

In the three games this preseason, LaVine is averaging 18.3 ppg, including his most recent performance, where he scored 26 points in the loss to the Charlotte Hornets.

If he can continue to have high scoring games at a consistent level, this team is a definite playoff contender, when healthy.

2. Improve defensively 

These past few games are a great example of why this Bulls defense is going to be gruesome to watch.

For a team that used to be known as defensive minded, that is no longer the case. They have given up a total of 342 points in the preseason.

Kris Dunn is the best defensive starter on the team, but who else is there to rely on? The only reliable option is Wendell Carter Jr, who’s shown numerous flashes of his defensive potential.

If the Bulls want to show any signs of improvement on the defensive side of the ball, LaVine needs to take the next step of being a complete player.

A consistent scorer is great, but a player, who can play both sides of the floor really well is such an important asset to have. He said in his media day press conference that he’s working on his defensive play.

Only time will tell if all that work will pay off.

3. Be A Leader Of The Team

The Bulls need leaders on this team. With the lack of veteran leadership, excluding Robin Lopez, the Bulls don’t have any reliable leaders to go off of.

That gives this young core to take advantage of that opportunity to become a leader of the team. LaVine has said, that he wants to be that player, who leads by example.

Similar to his effort of improving on the defensive side of the ball, LaVine needs to work on becoming a leader of this team.

Luckily for the Bulls, this is a season that will continue to focus on the development of its young talent. There is and should be no rush in the development of LaVine. Time is on his side.