Pippen Ain't Easy
Fansided

Chicago Bulls: Breaking down Zach LaVine’s torrid scoring season

By Andrew Miller

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MARCH 05: Zach LaVine #8 of the Chicago Bulls shoots the ball against the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on March 05, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MARCH 05: Zach LaVine #8 of the Chicago Bulls shoots the ball against the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on March 05, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 4
Next
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – JANUARY 30: Zach LaVine #8 of the Minnesota Timberwolves shoots a free throw during the game against the Orlando Magic on January 30, 2017 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 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 2017 NBAE (Photo by Jordan Johnson/NBAE via Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – JANUARY 30: Zach LaVine #8 of the Minnesota Timberwolves shoots a free throw during the game against the Orlando Magic on January 30, 2017 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 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 2017 NBAE (Photo by Jordan Johnson/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Previous scoring pace

It’s not to say that LaVine wasn’t a solid natural scorer in his time with the Timberwolves, but he wasn’t on the same pace and production level as he is with the Chicago Bulls now. He had steady growth with the Timberwolves in his first three seasons in the NBA, but he looks to be closer to reaching his potential now with the Bulls.

In three seasons with the Timberwolves, LaVine averaged 13.7 points per game, 3.2 assists, and 2.9 rebounds. His numbers are obviously way up since coming to the Windy City, so that shows that this could be a good long-term fit. A big reason for that is the shot selection, as he’s taking more looks from around the rim and from beyond the arc instead of from deep two-point range.

LaVine originally entered the NBA with the Timberwolves and showed consistent improvement since. He showed a ton of promise in his final season with the Timberwolves, averaging 18.9 points per game while shooting 46 percent from the field and better than 51 percent from two-point range. Since he’s continued to improve his shot selection and efficiency with the ball in his hands more often with the Bulls, LaVine is shooting better from beyond the arc and from the free-throw line.

During his time in Minnesota, LaVine was only taking about anywhere in between six and nine shots per game from two-point range. He’s taking 13 per game with the Bulls from within the three-point arc this season, while posting sparkling total shooting percentage above 57 percent. His two best seasons in the league so far saw him post a total shooting percentage that high. One year came with the Bulls and the other with the Timberwolves.

Home/Bulls News