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Chicago Bulls: Time to ease Zach LaVine’s burden

By Kyle Williams

NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 05: Zach LaVine #8 of the Chicago Bulls celebrates his three point shot in the second half against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on November5, 2018 in New York City. 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 (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 05: Zach LaVine #8 of the Chicago Bulls celebrates his three point shot in the second half against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on November5, 2018 in New York City. 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 (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – MARCH 06: Zach LaVine #8 of the Chicago Bulls is fouled by Jonah Bolden #43 of the Philadelphia 76ers at the United Center on March 06, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bulls defeated the 76ers 108-107. 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. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – MARCH 06: Zach LaVine #8 of the Chicago Bulls is fouled by Jonah Bolden #43 of the Philadelphia 76ers at the United Center on March 06, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bulls defeated the 76ers 108-107. 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. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

What’s the best use for Zach LaVine

The Chicago Bulls needed LaVine’s offense last night, but playing him 38 minutes after missing two games prior with a knee sprain to his non-surgically repaired leg. Is a win that important? Especially when he’s dealt with little hiccups with his ankle’s already this year.

The Bulls are trying to build chemistry. Boylen said to Chicago Tribune report K.C. Johnson that “We’re building something positive here,” coach Jim Boylen said. “We need everybody on the floor we can to keep playing together and have a feel for each other. We’re playing, man.”

I do understand the rationale behind Boylen wanting to play LaVine as much as possible. Heck, LaVine wants to play as much as possible as well.

It’s important that players get a feel for their teammates and their tendencies. However, with so many players in and out of the lineup year; chemistry is still going to be needed to get figured out next year anyway. This season was always about building continuity among the core of LaVine/Dunn/Markkanen/Carter Jr. Markkanen and Dunn both got hurt early on, but LaVine-Carter Jr. showed some promising two-man game out of the PnR.

Then, injuries to WCJ and LaVine have kept that 4-man lineup to only 191 minutes played this season. It’s becoming clear that Dunn isn’t the PG of the future, but the 3-man lineup of LaVine-Carter Jr.-Markkanen have only played 297 minutes together.

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