Chicago Bulls: LaVine deserves an All-Star nod for increased winning efforts?

Has LaVine taken the leap to an All-Star this season?

Lets first look into LaVine’s Stat line in the first 20 games of this season. 26.5 points per game, 5.3 rebound and 5.2 assists per game. All great numbers and career highs. We can add in his steals per game, not a career high but still sitting at 1.3 per game. His 40 percent three-point shooting average is actually outstanding.

LaVine shoots an average of 8.4 attempts per game. He’s hitting almost half of the three-point shots he puts up. Bulls fans already know Zach will pull up from anywhere, at 40 percent from three I would like to see those attempts to be more around 10 three point shot attempts per game as we get later into the season. To win against todays top NBA teams the Bulls will need to score on more three point attempts.

He’s also getting to the rim at will at critical times or shooting free throws to stop the clock in late game situations. All indications that his game has evolved. Lavine’s rebounding shows he is more engaged  in the game and isn’t just relying on his offense. Zach’s assist numbers also tell the story of how he’s not looking just to score, he’s setting his teammates up as well.

The two statistics that stand out to me the most are his 50 percent shooting average. Thus indicates Lavine is allowing the game to come to him. LaVine has developed his game over this past summer,  He is developing into a more complete player and is more willing to take on those big moments. His maturity. hard work and pure will to want to become a winner has translated to the court.

Then the dreadful 4.1 turnovers per game, that is also a career high. I have my own opinion on why LaVine’s turnovers are so high or why the Bulls lead the league in that category. That’s a topic for another day, let’s stick with LaVine for now.

Trust me as a fan I would like to see Zach take care of the ball better but I do realize that Zach gets put in some bad situations at times. Coaching will fix that as the season goes on. These bad endings to some games early this season hopefully will act as a learning experience as we get deeper into the season and games become more meaningful. My hope would be that soon our All-Star will be closing out games on most nights.

So the numbers are there for Lavine, the leadership is starting to stand out as well. LaVine has carried the bulls through games this season, he has also made costly mistake in the final minutes of a game. Whether a bad turnover or a terrible shot early in the shot clock but Lavine has become more vocal and has made a point to improve his defense or at the least taking on a defensive challenge. All in all I think LaVine has more then proved he has taken that leap.

LaVine should be a reserve this year. I thought he should’ve been voted in last year but I do understand the team was not near the team they are this year. The Bulls this year are Leaps and Bounds better then last year.

LaVine has the ability to take over a game and drop 40 any night and this new look Bulls Team should improve as the season goes on.