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One of the most controversial storylines of the current NBA season has been the extent to which observers have denied credit to Zach LaVine for his enhanced offensive performance with the Chicago Bulls.
Despite averaging 29.4 points, 5.4 rebounds and 5.1 assists – with efficiency numbers placing him in the league’s 86th percentile, according to Synergy Sports – LaVine is often dismissed as a player making good numbers on a bad team. While it is true that the Bulls are far from contenders, even though they are significantly better than most people thought they were going into the season, the implication that LaVine is simply producing empty calories is not. not.
Consider the efficiency figures mentioned above. Like the “Bulls Gold” Twitter thread highlighted earlier this month, LaVine’s offensive performance not only lives up to the league leaders this season, but has the potential to be one of the most effective and successful results of all. time. If LaVine continues his scorching pace, the guard would become the sixth player in NBA history to average at least 25 points while shooting 50% from the field, 40% from behind the arc, 85% from the line. free throws, while boasting. a true 60% shot mark. Not only would these numbers place him alongside Kevin Durant and Larry Bird, but they would represent definitive proof that LaVine had arrived as a bona fide star in the league.
Perhaps just as important are the Guard’s contributions to Chicago’s progress in becoming a winning team. By placing 15th in the NBA in the offensive wins table – tied with Luka Doncic and just ahead of LeBron James – LaVine lifted the Bulls from a likely spot near the bottom of the Eastern standings to a team currently slated to appear. in the “play-in” tournament for the playoffs.
Even defensively, LaVine has shown real improvement to become at least average for the league. While he can still get lost off the ball, regularly turning in selections and not anticipating what the offense is attempting to do, the guard has tightened the screws during his fences and is less inclined to rely on his athleticism for steal the ball – which most of the time he was out of position in the past. While he may never qualify for an All-Defense team, the guard’s effort at least ensures that he doesn’t hurt the Bulls on that side of the pitch and further improves the effect of his score on the outcome of the game. ‘a match.
While LaVine might struggle to get a nod for a spot on Team All-Star’s reserve unit, the reality is that his performance this season has been indicative of a player who should have qualified. as a starter rather than as a marginal complement. Although the media narrative has lagged behind his game, thanks to the inconsistency of the Bulls roster and their lackluster winning tally, Chicago could finally be on the verge of building a cohesive winner under the leadership of Arturas Karnisovas. . If they do, the rest of the league can finally wake up with the budding talent of their main guard.
Zach LaVine isn’t just showing he’s an All-Star, but an up and coming League MVP.
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