Bulls Head Coach Reveals What Team Needs From Zach LaVine

Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine has been walking around with a bullseye on his back for years now.

Calamitous front office leaks and cries of condescension from a media machine thats condemned him for not being a winning player have led to him being a permanent fixture on the trade block.

Its almost like LaVine hasnt averaged 24.7 points per game over the past six seasons.

Its almost like, in that time, he didnt shoot 38.5 percent from three.

One might even think he didnt make a name for himself as one of the NBAs best athletes before he solidified himself as one of the best scorers.

On Saturday, LaVine reminded everyone who is, most importantly his head coach .

Bulls Head Coach Billy Donovan Reveals What Team Needs From Zach LaVine Zach was really decisive, Billy Donovan tells reporters after LaVine scored 28 points in 22 minutes (h/t NBA.coms Sam Smith).

Zach LaVine hit almost EVERYTHING in the preseason for Chicago! 28 PTS, 4 AST, 9/12 FGM, 6/6 3PM, 22 MIN Healthy LaVine is HERE! pic.twitter.com/SZ7t27ylFr Courtside Buzz (@CourtsideBuzzX) October 13, 2024 He took his shots when they were there.

What was encouraging on the threes, there was no hesitation; he just went up and shot it.

He got off to a great start, shot unbelievable from three.

With the Bulls desire to play at a higher tempo than seasons past, there will likely be more shot attempts.

While that elicits thoughts of players racing up and down the court, speeding up the game also requires a certain mentality.

As Donovan notes, players need to be decisive, not hesitant.

He can get on a run.

He can go 0-for-4 and then come back and make 6-for-6, so I never worry (if hes missing).

I thought he was really decisive, and when he had daylight and a crack he shot it.

We need him to do that.

Perhaps thats been Donovans biggest gripe with LaVine.

His inconsistency at the other end can be problematic but defense isnt his forte and the Bulls knew that when they got him.

Scoring is what LaVine is known for.

Unfortunately for LaVine, for all of his athleticism and touch, he pounded the air out of the ball.

This slowed down the offense, draining the shot clock, putting his teams in more compromising situations.

Against the Memphis Grizzlies, LaVine was cobra-like with his quickness and precision.

Nobody is expecting him to shoot 75 percent from the field or 100 percent from three every game.

He can carry over the way he thought the game though.

Doing so may not mean he remains with the Bulls, who are going younger.

However, his potential metamorphosis could lead to other teams being more inclined to trade for him .

When hes got a head of steam, his athletic ability and his ability to shoot the ball and put it on the floor, hes really hard to guard, Donovan says.

This article first appeared on Last Word On Sports and was syndicated with permission..

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