Chicago Bulls players who were astounding for Billy Donovan: Zach LaVine
The other end of the star duo for the Bulls that was put together at the trade deadline by Karnisovas and the new front office regime is the former UCLA Bruin and 26-year-old LaVine. The first-time All-Star selection had another career year with the Bulls. He truly proved that it doesn’t matter which head coach is at the helm in Chicago, he can thrive in the spotlight.
Unfortunately for LaVine, he extended his streak of missing the postseason in his NBA career to seven years. LaVine still has yet to make a postseason appearance in his career to date. The motivation levels to make it to the postseason, now with a true star running mate in Vooch, should be even greater for LaVine.
To get his first career All-Star nod, LaVine was sensational for the Bulls during the regular season. He averaged a career-best 27.4 points per game, 5.0 rebounds, 4.9 assists, 0.8 steals, and 0.5 blocks. LaVine was also able to nearly join the 50/40/90 club for the Bulls this season. He wound up shooting roughly 51 percent from the field, 42 percent from beyond the arc, and 85 percent from the free-throw line.
LaVine was also able to register a 3.7 box plus/minus rating, 2.9 value over replacement player rating, .138 win shares per 48 minutes, 5.9 total win shares, 115 offensive rating, 63.4 true shooting percentage, and 21.5 player efficiency rating. All of those metrics were good for career bests for LaVine. That is a lot of value he was able to contribute for Donovan and the Bulls in the season that was.