1. Zach LaVine
Previous ranking: 2
Welcome to the top of the rankings, Zach LaVine! It’s your rightful place, but I wanted to make you earn it.
This was supposed to be LaVine’s breakout season. He looked fantastic in preseason play, and it looked like that was going to carry over into the regular season. It didn’t, though. LaVine struggled mightily out of the gate, and it looked like it was effecting everything but his confidence.
There’s something to be said about a guy as confident as LaVine. He’s barely done anything of substance in the league yet, but the fact that he carries himself like a superstar might just take him to that level someday.
In December, LaVine has looked like the guy Bulls fans were waiting for, averaging over 25 points per game on .433/.383/.859 shooting splits. The Bulls are 5-5 in that stretch, and four of the five losses were by five points or fewer. Not bad.
LaVine thinks of himself as a superstar, and it’s finally starting to translate into actual superstar-level play. He’s been a crazy-good closer, and his decision making has improved. It’s been a joy to watch.
I only have positive things to say about the best player on the Bulls.