The numbers behind Bulls Zach LaVine’s scorching start to the 2020-21 NBA season

Zach LaVine keeps getting better.

In the two-and-a-half seasons since recovering from the ACL tear that underlay his June 2017 trade with the Bulls, his growth as a goalscorer has been linear.

This trend continued into his first year under the guidance of new head coach Billy Donovan – with a few notable steps as a facilitator dotted around to get started:

But let’s go further. Here are the numbers behind the offensive display LaVine is putting up:

• LaVine’s current average of 27.4 points ranks fifth in the NBA, behind only Bradley Beal, Kevin Durant, Steph Curry and Damian Lillard. He entered on Tuesday immediately leading Luka Doncic.
• To reach this average, LaVine tries 8.9 shots at 3 points per game (7th in the NBA), or 38.7% of them.
• 2.9 of those attempts were catch-and-shoot looks, on which LaVine shoots 40%.
• It also generates 1.46 points per possession (84th percentile) on cuts. As much terror on the ball as with the rock in his hands.
• But he’s been pretty good there too. LaVine’s 12.4 pick-and-roll handler possessions per game are fifth in the NBA. His 1.08 points per possession earned him fifth out of 17 ball handlers performing more than eight pick-and-rolls per game (min. 7 games).
• LaVine is also one of 45 players (min. 7 games) to generate more than 10 discs per night. He scored points on 72.6 percent of those discs, fourth of 45. His 59.2 percent of shooting on discs ranks sixth in that group …
• … And its turnover rate of 12.6% 44th.
• Stay positive.
• LaVine’s 76.6% pass rate in the Restricted Area (4.6 attempts) bends the mind. That’s 14 points better than the current league average of 62.6% for this position.
• In fact, LaVine fills it with above average efficiency from all areas of the floor – except the right corner, where his 4-for-11 (36.4%) score falls a hair’s breadth away from the league average of 38.3%.
• Including glass cleaning, 30% of LaVine’s shooting attempts have been made at the rim this season. 28 percent come from the mid-range. 42 percent came from behind the arch. He is a threat everywhere at all times.
• Just ask the Kings, Lakers, Clippers and Thunder. LaVine’s four-game, 30-point streak from Jan.6 to Jan.15 is the longest in the NBA so far this season.
• In this sequence, LaVine on average 37.5 points and shooting 58.2% from the field (22.8 attempts) and 52.1% in 3 (12 attempts).
• According to ESPN, he is the first Bull since Michael Jordan to post four consecutive 30 spots on a shot above 50%.
• The Bulls, of course, have gone 0-4 in those games.
• That streak was interrupted by LaVine’s fifth career double-double – and the first since his rookie season with the Minnesota Timberwolves – with 10 points and 10 dimes in a win over the Dallas Mavericks.
• LaVine provided 74 total assists, or 5.3 per game. Better career mark.
• His last dime came with 46.9 seconds left in Friday’s win over the Houston Rockets. A LaVine swing to a Lauri Markkanen 3 put the Bulls in the lead 119-113 and effectively froze the game.
• LaVine averages 35.6 minutes per game, almost a full minute longer than last year.
• But its utilization rate (which takes into account possessions ending in a shot attempt, coin toss, or turnover) is actually down two points this season from the last – by 31. 7% to 29.7%.
• Out of 17 players with utilization rates of 29% or more (min: 7 games), LaVine is: 3rd in live shooting percentage (64%), third in field goal percentage (59%) …
• … And 15th for the ratio of assistance / turnover.
• Yet his facilitating tick-up was real in the face of the lingering pressure of the ball. LaVine’s 24.3% attendance rate is currently a career high.
• The same goes for his 14.6 assists created per game – which continues an upward trend every season since 2016-17, which was shortened by the ripped ACL.
• That means LaVine has 42 of the Bulls’ 117.4 points per game in fourth place (35.8%).
• Combine his increased facilitation and efficiency scores, and LaVine averages 27.4 points and 5.3 assists with a 64% live shoot percentage.
• Two players have already crossed these benchmarks over a full season: Giannis Antetokounmpo (2019-20) and Stephen Curry (2015-16). On Tuesday, Kevin Durant (30.6 points, 5.7 assists, 67.5% TS) is above that threshold this season.
• Last season only Antetokounmpo, Devin Booker, Damian Lillard and James Harden scored above the minimum of 25 points per game, five assists per game and 60% live shooting. Solid business, albeit early on.

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