1) Chicago Bulls who had the best 2020
Zach LaVine, Shooting Guard
The Bulls player that has to be considered the face of this rebuild in its fourth year, as least as it stands now, is the standout 25-year-old shooting guard and former UCLA Bruin Zach LaVine. A strong bounce back performance from LaVine in the Bulls narrow one-point loss to the Warriors on Dec. 27 at home helped ensure his top spot on this list.
But it was mainly the play of LaVine last season, especially after the turn of the calendar year, that earned him a guaranteed spot on the list of the best Bulls player from the year that is. He was still pretty solid as a whole last season, though. And he isn’t off to the worst start, by most considerations, this regular season.
During the shortened 2019-20 regular season, LaVine played in 60 games for the Bulls (all of which he started in). And he averaged 25.5 points per game, 4.8 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.5 steals, and 0.5 blocks. LaVine shot 45.0 percent from the field, 38.0 percent from beyond the arc, and 80.2 percent from the free-throw line.
So far this season, LaVine’s per game averages still look good. But his advanced metrics aren’t quite up to par yet. That should come with time.
Through three games played this season (all of which he started in), LaVine is still one of the Bulls minutes leaders. He played in just shy of 30 minutes per game so far. And he’s averaged 24.0 points per game, 3.3 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.3 steals, and 0.7 blocks. LaVine shot 47.3 percent from the field, 30.8 percent from beyond the arc, and 85.7 percent from the free-throw line.
LaVine had a real breakthrough performance in the Bulls last game. He registered a team-high 33 points, seven rebounds, three assists, two steals, and two blocks, in the loss to the Warriors. If he can keep that up he will enter the next calendar year on the right foot.