The Chicago Bulls are off to a great start. It is, in fact, their best start since 1996 when the franchise won the first trophy of its second three-peat led by some guy named Michael Jordan. These Bulls don’t have a Jordan; someone who is so dominant that they disrupt even the best laid defensive game plans.
What they do have is Zach LaVine, a player who has shown consistent growth at least since he’s been with the Bulls.
News of LaVine’s torn finger ligament put a damper on what should be a fun night with their matchup against the hard-nosed New York Knicks on tap for Wednesday. Not only are two charter franchises playing, but they’ll also be celebrating former Bulls center Joakim Noah.
There are several questions in regards to LaVine’s injury to which he acknowledged he didn’t have all the information at the moment. The Bulls All-Star has said he will try to play through it.
The Chicago Bulls should monitor how much time Zach LaVine spends on the ball while injured
Much of the conversation has revolved around the fact that the injury is to LaVine’s left (non-shooting) hand. It is very true that the location, as well as the extent of the injury, are ultimately on the favorable side for the Bulls. The fact of the matter is LaVine’s scoring ability is probably the least of their worries.
The Bulls leader described the injury as a “small tear in the tendon, almost like a Grade 1 to 2 sprain”, per Rob Shaerfer of NBC Sports Chicago.
Here’s LaVine with Bulls assistant coach Josh Longstaff after practice. He was also dribbling and getting some 3s up before pic.twitter.com/JXUnnYEiur
— Rob Schaefer (@rob_schaef) October 27, 2021
LaVine planning to play through it should it simply be a matter of pain tolerance is commendable. But it should mean he would not have the ball in his hands as much. That is as much for his own protection as it is for the team as a whole.
Chicago is third in the NBA in steals just a little over a week into the season.
But Thursday’s opponent, the New York Knicks, are no slouches in that department, ranking 12th themselves. What we don’t want to see is LaVine coming out worse for wear from having opponents hacking away trying to pry the ball loose. Even if he were to avoid handling the ball with his off-hand, he makes it easier for the defense to guard him.
This is a great opportunity to get LaVine on the move, running off screens and cutting, and use Nikola Vucevic and DeMar DeRozan as the playmakers while he heals.
LaVine is averaging the fewest turnovers since his first year with the Bulls when he appeared in just 24 games.
Even with that, though, there have been moments this season where, maybe, concentration lapses and a turnover occurred. It hasn’t come back to bit the Bulls yet. But it certainly could with their top player dealing with a bum paw.