The Chicago Bulls can’t catch a break right now. As their on-court struggles continue, they’ve been dealt another blow in the form of all-star guard Zach LaVine entering the NBA’s health and safety protocols.
Chicago Bulls All-Star Zach LaVine is expected to miss several games after entering into the league's health and safety protocol, sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) April 15, 2021
Adrian Wojnarowski broke the news and added that LaVine is expected to miss multiple games. The timing is absolutely brutal as the Bulls have been seeing their lead for the tenth spot in the Eastern Conference shrink in recent weeks.
LaVine was in the midst of by far his best NBA season and had taken over as the face of the Bulls franchise. While many have already decided this is the nail in the coffin for the Bulls season, I don’t think that’s necessarily true.
Even if he does miss a handful of games, the Bulls are more talented than they’ve shown in recent games. If certain players step up like they are capable of doing, the Bulls could absolutely stay alive in the battle for the 10th seed.
Chicago Bulls that need to step up: Thaddeus Young
Thaddeus Young has bounced back from last season in a big way, though recently his minutes have been down and we haven’t really figured out why. There is a major issue if his minutes remain low in the absence of LaVine, as Young is one of the Bulls that needs to step up to fill the void.
Not only is he a veteran that does a bit of everything on the floor, but he’s also the team’s third-leading scorer since the NBA trade deadline. He is going to need to contribute more than the 12.4 points per game he has averaged over the last 11 games, but it’s mandatory for the Bulls to overcome this loss.
He is also third on the team in assists in that span. Remove LaVine and he is second. Thaddeus Young will need to show the Bulls why it’s always useful to have a savvy veteran like he is on the roster.
His minutes will need to go up, and the hope is he is capable of that. We simply do not know why they have been down in recent games.
Chicago Bulls that need to step up: Troy Brown Jr.
Already a fan favorite amongst Chicago Bulls fans, Troy Brown Jr. should get the run fans have wanted him to get since arriving now that LaVine will miss games.
As long as Billy Donovan puts him in the game he is one of the key players in helping the Bulls overcome LaVine’s absence. He is averaging 18.1 minutes per game since being acquired by the Bulls.
In those limited minutes he has recorded a team-high +/- of +58. No one else is even close, and those that are next on the team have played significantly more minutes than Brown.
The young wing rebounds well and makes an impact on the defensive end, which may be just what this team needs to light a spark. He isn’t going to score like LaVine, but who is? Brown could be huge in establishing a defensive level of effort that the Bulls have been lacking.
If he starts in LaVine’s spot that could especially be true. It’s unknown right now who Donovan will insert into the starting five, but odds are it is not Brown. Regardless, he can bring something new to the rotation and earn a majority of the minutes.
Rebounding and defense are what the Bulls really need. While LaVine’s offense will obviously be missed, if the team can collectively pick up the slack scoring the ball they may all benefit from the energy Brown brings to the team.
This is one player that can perform and turn LaVine’s absence into a blessing in disguise.
Chicago Bulls that need to step up: Coby White
Bulls fans may dread seeing this name atop the list, but what an opportunity this could be for the young guard to show the fans what he can do.
It would be a major reversal of his recent play and could legitimately save his spot on the team through the coming offseason. White has been relegated to a bench role as the team can’t play him and LaVine alongside each other too much.
It’s not a talent issue, just that White is a much more natural and comfortable scorer than he is a distributor or playmaker. Well, here is his opportunity to show what he can do as a featured scorer.
With LaVine out, there will be plenty of opportunities at the guard spot to produce offensively. What a twist it would be on the crazy Bulls season that has been.
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After a rocky rookie season under former coach Jim Boylen, White started out pretty strong but eventually faded and became more of a liability to the team than an asset. Billy Donovan’s decision to move him to the bench seemed like a chance for White to score more, but he has failed to capitalize up until this point.
White is averaging just 9.4 points per game over his last eight appearances. Is there reason to believe that number will go up? Looking at his basketball talent, absolutely. Looking at his play recently, it’s not so easy to see.
We have seen crazier things, though. If the Bulls are going to stay afloat in the absence of their star player, Coby White is going to have to turn things around quickly.