Chicago Bulls projected starting 5: Zach LaVine, Shooting Guard
This starting unit is still going to run through star shooting guard and former UCLA Bruin Zach LaVine, despite all of the other new big additions to the team. The first-time All-Star selection, now at 26 years old, will be the focal point of the Bulls during the regular season. LaVine will be looking to get the Bulls over to the hump, and finally make it into the postseason.
Not only has LaVine never made it to the postseason in his seven seasons in the NBA, he’s never even had a winning campaign. That should all change given the amount of weapons he’ll have around him in this rebuffed supporting cast heading into the regular season.
It might not be all that indicative of what’s to come for the regular season with what the Bulls show with this starting unit in the preseason slate. LaVine is sure to get some minutes with the projected starting unit during the preseason, but it’s not worth overplaying him.
If LaVine can continue to improve his numbers during the 2021-22 campaign, there’s no doubt that he should be an All-Star for the second straight year. Another year of improvement should also mean that LaVine is vying for his first career All-NBA Team selection.
Last season, LaVine averaged 27.4 points per game, 5.0 rebounds, 4.9 assists, 0.8 steals, and 0.5 blocks. And he shot a very efficient 50.7 percent from the field, 41.9 percent from beyond the arc, and 84.9 percent from the free-throw line.
Watch out for LaVine to push for the 50/40/90 club this season and rank among the scoring leaders in the Eastern Conference for the second straight year.