Chicago Bulls: Zach LaVine pays Jim Boylen’s ejection fine

Following the heated altercation between Chicago Bulls coach Jim Boylen and Doc Rivers, Zach LaVine has offered to cover Boylen’s ejection fines.

Zach LaVine is quickly developing into the leader the Chicago Bulls locker room has been yearning for. Although he has yet to play even 30 percent of his games in a Chicago Bulls uniform, LaVine has proven to be a high-note in an otherwise grim season. An electric scorer with a strong presence on and off the court is fortunately reminiscent of another hometown hero that donned a large number one on his jersey.

Averaging over 27 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists over the last fifteen games, other teams are quickly learning that LaVine needs to be accounted for in the gameplan to prevent the high-flying shooting guard from shredding opposing defenses.

What the league likely wasn’t expecting however, was the immense presence he’d establish as a leader in the Bulls locker room. Although LaVine was reportedly an instigator in December’s revolt, he has since changed his tune on new Chicago Bulls coach Jim Boylen. When interviewed post-game about Boylen’s ejection, he had this to say:

LaVine didn’t rest there though, as he continued on to prove the old adage that actions speak louder than words. He offered to pay Boylen’s ejection fines, covering the cost of the NBA-issued penalty for each technical foul received.

This is a stark contrast to the turmoil we witnessed inside the Chicago Bulls’ team culture just a few months ago. If this incident is indicative of anything, it’s that this young Bulls roster is developing a competitive edge. For a team that’s grown weary of losing, having a coach that’s not afraid to get fired up and support his team when they’re down could be an invaluable asset moving forward. Take a look at the mild chaos on the court that got Boylen ejected in Friday night’s game against the LA Clippers.

Watching Boylen demonstrate that level of intensity for his team to get back into the game appears to be a polar opposite to the demeanor we witnessed from former Bulls head coach Fred Hoiberg. After leaving behind Hoiberg’s wet paper towel attitude and weak authoritative presence, the team can take solace in the fact Boylen will go to bat for them on any given night.

The Chicago Bulls should be optimistic about many things. A finally-stable team culture and the roster’s relationship with Boylen are among the highlights of this season’s waning moments.

Although the Chicago Bulls head coaching situation may not be clear for next season, at we least we can bask in the entertainment coach Boylen’s ‘road dog mentality’ will provide as the season winds down.