Pippen Ain't Easy
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Chicago Bulls: 5 things to love about the team on Valentine’s Day

By Luke Askew

DENVER, CO - JANUARY 17: Zach LaVine #8 of the Chicago Bulls hi-fives teammates as he is introduced onto the court before the game against the Denver Nuggets on January 17, 2019 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Bart Young/NBAE via Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - JANUARY 17: Zach LaVine #8 of the Chicago Bulls hi-fives teammates as he is introduced onto the court before the game against the Denver Nuggets on January 17, 2019 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Bart Young/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
(Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /

3. Point-Zach

I recently wrote an entire article dedicated to Zach LaVine’s potential as a point guard for the Bulls (check that out here). With Kris Dunn’s recent struggles and LaVine’s improved playmaking abilities, there’s no reason why LaVine shouldn’t be given some more run at the point guard position.

Last night against the Memphis Grizzlies, LaVine’s playmaking abilities were on full display. He finished the game with seven assists and looked like a pass-first guard. He was the guy trying to make sure everyone else ate.

That’s my favorite version of Zach LaVine. That’s the version of Zach LaVine that has the highest ceiling in this league.

Let me be clear, though. Just because Zach has taken on a playmaking role, doesn’t mean that he can’t be a dominant scorer. The reason he’s able to get his teammates open shots is that opposing defenses have to respect LaVine’s ability to score the basketball. If he stops shooting, he’ll be a less effective passer. Don’t worry, though. I don’t think LaVine plans to stop shooting anytime soon.

LaVine will likely never be a guy averaging double-digit assists per game. That’s not who he is, and that’s not who he should try to be. But if he can continue to improve on passing out of drives and creating plays as a pick-and-roll ballhandler, his future will be extremely bright.

It’s hard not to love point-Zach.

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