Chicago Bulls: Three positives from season opener loss

LaVine played like a completely new player

Last season, after recovering from a torn ACL, LaVine came back for the Bulls towards the end of the year and played in just 24 games. He posted averages of 16.7 points, 3 assists, and 3.9 rebounds, and shot just 38.3% from the field. Compared to his breakout season the year before with the Minnesota Timberwolves, LaVine was sluggish and ineffective in his first season in Chicago. LaVine’s play in the wake of his new $78-million contract undermined the Bulls’ seemingly-optimistic rebuild, with many questioning his ability to live up to the hype.

As Darnell Mayberry of The Athletic reported, LaVine spent much of his summer working on retraining his legs to where they were during the 2016-2017 NBA season, when LaVine beat out Orlando Magic forward Aaron Gordon to win the dunk contest.

LaVine’s summer body of work showed last night.

The shooting guard caught fire immediately in the first quarter, kicking off the Bulls’ season with a three coming off a screen by Portis.

LaVine finished the first quarter with 16 points, missing only once. He ended the game with 30 points, hitting eleven of his nineteen shots from the field.

LaVine still fell in love too often with contested jump shots, especially beyond the arc, but looked far more comfortable creating space for himself than last season. When LaVine pulled up off the dribble last year, if often felt like he was settling for a jumper because he wasn’t capable of creating a better look. Against the Sixers, LaVine was breaking down defenders far more frequently.

A big part of his improved creation last night was his ability to get by defenders and finish. LaVine only averaged 4.5 free throws per game last season and struggled near the rim, shooting just 50% in the restricted area and 32.3% in the paint, per stats.NBA. While it’s only one game, last night brought with it a new LaVine that Bulls fans didn’t see at all last season.

You can see LaVine get Phili’s Dario Saric on his heels immediately after the switch, allowing Saric to settle in his stance, freezing him when he throws the slightest hint of a crossover before rising up for the easy jumper. When LaVine isn’t getting to the rim and finishing, defenders can simply get into his body and force a pass out. With new legs under him, LaVine brings a much greater threat on the drive. If he’s going to develop into an efficient offensive superstar, he needs to continue to prove he can finish those drives consistently.

Things won’t get any easier for LaVine as the season wears on. Even with Dunn on the floor, the Bulls lack other playmakers. It’s likely that LaVine will have to continue to score a lot in isolation and create looks for himself, the most important trait for any star. If he can continue to perform like he did Thursday night, he will put himself in position to take another leap towards stardom.