USA Today via Reuters
Jan 8, 2021; Los Angeles, California, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine (8) moves the ball against Los Angeles Lakers guard Dennis Schroder (17) during the second half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
USA Today via Reuters
Jan 8, 2021; Los Angeles, California, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine (8) moves the ball against Los Angeles Lakers guard Dennis Schroder (17) during the second half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Shooting guard Zach LaVine has been a blessing in disguise for the Chicago Bulls. The franchise is actually running a little out of luck in this season. They first lost to the Warriors 128-129 and then to the Lakers 115-117 in hard-fought games.
Unfortunately, this poor run against WC teams continued as the Clippers also beat them marginally. At one point, with 8 minutes remaining, the two teams were tied at 103-103 but they failed to take a lead. Zach LaVine’s phenomenal performance which got him in the record books went in vain as they lost 127-130.
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USA Today via Reuters
Jan 8, 2021; Los Angeles, California, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine (8) moves the ball up court against the Los Angeles Lakers during the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Zach LaVine and his building dynasty
The 25-YO star scored 45 points, 7 rebounds, and as many assists in his 42 minutes of play. Surprisingly, he scored 30 of those points with three-pointers and got himself immortal in a franchise-record that no other player had challenged for ages now.
He entered the list of Bulls’ players with 40+ games more than 10 times. Arguably, he is at least a decade away from matching Michael Jordan; however, he has definitely set the ball rolling.
Zach LaVine today:
45 PTS
10 3PT
7 REB
7 ASTHe joins Michael Jordan (165) and Bob Love (13) as the only Bulls players ever with 10+ career 40-point games. pic.twitter.com/N9BffEzNXE
— StatMuse (@statmuse) January 10, 2021
He scored 10 three-pointers with 62.5% accuracy and shot at 57.6% from the field. Interestingly, the Bulls had a better field goal accuracy at 61% against the Clippers’ 48.9%. Still, they fell short and eventually took all the fun away from Zach’s amazing play. On the other hand, Kawhi Leonard completed his 10000 points in the game and had the last laugh.
Zach LaVine was 🔥 this afternoon:
✅ 45 PTS
✅ 7 REB
✅ 7 AST
✅ 15-26 FG
✅ 10-16 3P
✅ 5-5 FTLaVine becomes the first player in @chicagobulls history and the sixth player in NBA history to record multiple games with 10 or more 3PM. pic.twitter.com/xBDHCWfPEW
— Justin Kubatko (@jkubatko) January 11, 2021
What lies ahead for the Chicago Bulls if they want to make a comeback?
In 11 games so far, Zach is averaging 27.7 points per game. He came back from a torn ACL very early in his career and has been phenomenal since then.
His career average is only increasing with each passing season. The rising star has proved amazing in transition plays and boasts great athleticism. The only downside in his game is his defense which has never improved.
Coby White has fared well until now in this season. He has been good inside the arc, but his inconsistency is still a concern. The other concern for the Bulls is their rotation players. Their starting five are still delivering while their bench has degraded in efficiency. The losses against the Blazers and the Kings were proof of just that.
So if they wish to pull a surprising run, they’ll need to get their acts together and back the performers.
