SUBJECT: Z. LaVine
Zach LaVine
Focus: scoring efficiency, playmaking
GAME 3 OF 5
3/7 V. MEM • W, 119-110
Zach LaVine bounced back from a horrendous showing v. Boston in rather efficient fashion - he finished w/ 21 pts, on 8/14 shooting, 5 dimes & 2 boards (+19 in 33 minutes). His shot selection & patience were key ingredients for LaVine's solid scoring display.
Often times this season, he's done a decent job of not forcing up shots if not in rhythm - sure, he's prone to settling for deep Js but if it's not falling, he'll tend to step inside the arc and try and impose his will going to the cup.
Z. LaVine
Chicago didn't have much trouble moving the ball & generating rather easy scoring oppotunities v. MEM, one of the worst teams in basketball (right now). LaVine's 5 dimes are encouraging, as he's constantly developing a balance between looking for the open man & getting "his."
With 5 Bulls in double figures, gaudy scoring numbers weren't as necessary.
GAME 4 OF 5
3/9 @ DET • L, 99-83
Two nights later, however, it was an entirely different story. LaVine struggled, Chicago struggled - Bull shot just 35!% as a unit, barely cracked the 80-point mark.
Detroit is by no means a dominant defensive team but they did an excellent job at forcing Zach into difficult attempts, kept him out of the paint & on the perimeter...where he couldn't get anything going (0/4 from deep).
A frustrating night, LaVine finished w/ just 8 pts & 3 boards on 3/15 from the field. With his teammates also having difficulty scoring (+ Detroit's attention to detail hedging screens & limiting easy scores), he didn't register an assist for the first time this season.
Was he able to bounce back @ ATL on Sunday?
GAME 5 OF 5
3/11 @ ATL • W, 129-122
The final game of LaVine's tracking... period was a Sunday afternoon tilt w/ the struggling Atlanta Hawks.
The Hawks raced out to a 34-20 lead after 1 but a strong, 33-16 second quarter gave Chicago a 3-point advantage (53-50) heading into the final 24.
That's when LaVine did the most of his damage - he scored 12 of his 21 points in the second half, including late free throws to help the Bulls earn victory #23.
21 pts, 3 dimes, 1 board, 1 block & 1 TO in 28 minutes. LaVine shot 44% from the field, took 8 triples, made 3 if them.
Decent offensive night, in yet another, defensively-challenged shootout for CHI.
QUICK STATS & NOTES
- CHI: 3-2 record
- Z. LaVine: avg. 30 min.
- Made just 1 triple/game
TRACKING GOALS
- Avg. 7+ dimes over 5 games -- Nope.
- Lead team in scoring in at least 3 of 5 games -- Nope, once: 21 @ ATL (tied w/ B. Portis).
- 30+ points in 1 of 5 games, 20+ pts in 4 of 5 games -- Nope.
- 20+ combined triples -- Nope. Hit 5.
- 45%+ shooting over 5 games -- Nope. Shot 36%
Goals Completed: 0/5 :/
TAKEAWAY
Overall, this week's tracking... assignment produced a pretty mixed bag.
At times, LaVine scored well, showcased nice signs in terms of PnR decision-making, "in-between the lines" scoring & playing off his teammates efficiently & effectively.
Other times, he didn't push the button enough going to the rim (settled for too many Js), shot inconsistently from deep & was not as engaged on defense or the glass.
CHI went 3-2, yet LaVine avg. just 14 pts & 3 dimes on 36% shooting.
Developing consistency in all areas is difficult when you're trying to also master one, primary area. For LaVine, his ability to score effectively & shoot consistently from downtown is a main priority night in & night out. But for him to take the next step (possibly into Top DOG territory), other aspects of his game need more seasoning.
Zach LaVine
Tracking Complete.
On-ball defense & playmaking, for example, has looked a bit better since his debut in January - does he simply need time to figure out what type of player he is?
Can he eventually turn into a well-rounded threat or will he fall into a more, instant-offense scorer w/ the ability to heat up & spark an offense?
Time will tell all but stats shouldn't tell his full story heading into (restricted) free agency this summer - Chicago must evaluate between the lines & focus on LaVine's key strengths, while determining if/how weaknesses can be fixed.
LaVine's raw talent + scoring prowess is prevalent - can he gradually improve into a more well-rounded threat on the wing?
All in all, LaVine's a fun player to keep an eye on, one with excellent potential & a chance to (help) lead a respected franchise back to prominence some day.
Tracking Complete.
(Baro.)