Chicago Bulls: Zach LaVine finding his place in franchise record books
A very hot start to the 2020-21 regular season slate for star shooting guard Zach LaVine is something that this Chicago Bulls rebuild very much needed to find more success in the win column. LaVine and the Bulls now own a record of 13-16 following their big eight-point win over the Sacramento Kings at home at the United Center on the night of Feb. 20.
Now that LaVine and the Bulls have won three of their last four games, and six of their last nine, they can keep working on their trek up the Eastern Conference standings. It was a huge 38-point outing from LaVine that powered the Bulls to nab the 122-114 home win over the Kings this weekend.
This now makes it four straight games that LaVine has scored at least 30 points in. He was also a +8 when out on the floor in this win over the Kings. When he finished up a game as a net positive out on the floor, the Bulls own a record of 10-2.
An emerging pattern is showing up for the Bulls of late. When LaVine is on his game and is a net positive out on the floor, the team wins much more often than not.
Chicago Bulls franchise record books
Moreover, it is worth noting that this career-year from LaVine is starting to work its way into the franchise’s record books. Since LaVine is averaging 28.9 points per game so far this season, he’s now the only player that ranks in the top 10 in Bulls franchise history in this stat category outside of legendary shooting guard Michael Jordan.
Every single one of the other seasons for a Bulls player that ranks in the top 10 in points per game is Jordan.
LaVine is also shooting nearly 43.0 percent from beyond the arc so far this season. If the season ended on Feb. 21, that would mean that LaVine ranks in the top 10 in three-point shooting percentage in Bulls franchise history.
Last but not least, LaVine ranks in the top five in both effective field goal percentage and true shooting percentage in Bulls franchise history, if the season were to end on this day.
The per game stats, shooting percentages, and all-encompassing advanced metrics are all looking great for LaVine at this point in time. It’s worth noting the great season that LaVine is having thus far, contributing to more success in the win column for the Bulls.
LaVine has started in all 29 games he’s played on so far this season for the Bulls, averaging around 36 minutes on the floor per game. And he’s averaged 28.9 points per game, 5.4 rebounds, 5.1 assists, 1.2 steals, and 0.4 blocks. LaVine shot a very efficient 51.8 percent from the field, 42.9 percent from beyond the arc, and 86.2 percent from the free-throw line.
All of that has amounted to a career-best 4.3 box plus/minus rating, 1.6 value over replacement player rating, .158 win shares per 48 minutes, 3.4 total win shares, 64.7 true shooting percentage, 117 offensive rating/113 defensive rating, and a 23.0 player efficiency rating.
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The way that LaVine is producing for the Bulls of late could mean more entries into the Bulls record book throughout franchise history. Next up for LaVine and the Bulls is a meeting with the Houston Rockets on the road on the night of Feb. 22.