2) Chicago Bulls best All-Stars since 2010
Zach LaVine, Shooting Guard
The first career All-Star selection is obviously going to be a special one for the former UCLA Bruins star LaVine. As he’s having another career year for the Bulls, LaVine finally got the respect he deserved around the NBA landscape. With all the pieces finally falling into place for LaVine this year, he is starting to get that respect he deserves league-wide as a recognized All-Star and just a bona fide star guard.
What really pushed LaVine over the top in the end was the improved success that the Bulls are finding in the win column this season. LaVine has only played in 30 games so far during this regular season slate, and he already is nearing four total win shares. He should definitely top his previous career high in win shares in a single season this year (which sat at 4.0 from last season).
Coming into this season, LaVine had neither an All-Star nod to his name, nor a playoff berth. With the Bulls currently sitting with a record of 14-16 following their Feb. 22 road win over the Houston Rockets, they are tied for seventh place in the Eastern Conference standings. The way things are trending for LaVine and first-year head coach Billy Donovan at the moment, the Bulls will make the playoffs as a lower seed in the East this year.
Moreover, LaVine is shining in multiple respects for the Bulls this season. He’s averaged 28.6 points per game, 5.4 rebounds, 5.1 assists, 1.1 steals, and 0.4 blocks, through 30 games played. And LaVine has shot a very efficient 51.8 percent from the field, 43.4 percent from beyond the arc, and 86.4 percent from the free-throw line.