Chicago Bulls: 3 defensive liabilities that must improve this season

2) Chicago Bulls defensive liabilities who must improve

The other part of the Bulls young core that is on this list that did show some improvement on the defensive end of the floor last season, but got off on the wrong foot in this regular season opener, was the 25-year-old standout 6-foot-6 shooting guard Zach LaVine. In the loss to the Hawks, LaVine wasn’t very efficient on either end of the floor, despite his team-high 22 points.

Last season, LaVine was improving as an on-ball defender, especially on the perimeter. He averaged 1.5 steals per game and 0.5 blocks (both career bests). His advanced metrics on the defensive end were better too last season. LaVine registered a career best -0.8 defensive box plus/minus rating, 2.2 defensive win shares, 110 defensive rating, 2.0 steal percentage, and 1.3 block percentage. All of those numbers were good for career bests for LaVine.

In the regular season opener loss to the Hawks, LaVine registered one steal, no blocks, and was a -26 when on the floor. What didn’t help LaVine’s case against the Hawks was his team-high five turnovers, especially since he wasn’t particularly good on the defensive end. He was tied for second worst on the team in defensive rating on Dec. 23 (122).

Where LaVine needs to improve the most is getting back and putting a heavier emphasis for on-ball perimeter defense. LaVine definitely has the physical tools and lateral agility to contend on the defensive end. He just needs to continue to get the right coaching to move his game in the right direction. LaVine was trending in the right direction on the defensive end the last two seasons.