Zach LaVine's Continuous Development Has Made Him 1 of NBA's Best Players

Once seen as just a high-flying dunker when he was drafted out of UCLA, Bulls star SG Zach LaVine has taken his game to another level. He made his first All-Star appearance last season, and Chicago continued to make moves to build a winning team around their talented centerpiece. A midseason trade for big man Nikola Vucevic last season, plus offseason signings of Lonzo Ball and DeMar DeRozan makes the Bulls look ready to be a legitimate playoff contender with the multi-dimensional LaVine leading the way.

We're pulling from THERE now, Zach!? 🤯

26 and counting for LaVine ➡️ https://t.co/V0kkYEEIkG pic.twitter.com/nPd5lOQN3Y
— NBA (@NBA) October 23, 2021

INTERESTING FACTS

2nd most GP (14) by a Bulls player with 40+ PTS in franchise history, trailing only Michael Jordan (165!)
Only player with a losing record (10-11) in 2021 when scoring 30+ PTS among those with 10+ 30 PT games
Dropped a career-high 50 PTS on April 9th, 2021

MAIN TAKEAWAY

ZACH LAVINE’S CONTINUOUS DEVELOPMENT HAS MADE HIM 1 OF NBA’S BEST PLAYERS

COLORS KEY | FULL BULLS OUTLOOK

Early in his career, many saw Chicago Bulls SG Zach LaVine as a role player with nuclear athleticism and insane dunking ability. After winning the Slam Dunk Contest on NBA All-Star Weekend twice, LaVine was a centerpiece of the Jimmy Butler trade before the 2017-18 season, coming over from the Minnesota Timberwolves as the Bulls entered a rebuild. Chicago has missed on some recent draft picks, yet still got the internal development that they needed from LaVine for him to become a star.

The Bulls re-made their front office and got ambitious in the free-agent and trade markets, desperate to build a winning team around their budding star. They are reaping the benefits, as Chicago has started the 2021-22 season off very strong, as LaVine has showcased his long range and his ability to create his own offense off the dribble, including from DEEP. These new dimensions to his offensive game will only elevate the Bulls’ chances this year, as they try to return to prominence in the Eastern Conference.

BEST HIGHLIGHTS

LaVine launching from DEEP

We're pulling from THERE now, Zach!? 🤯

26 and counting for LaVine ➡️ https://t.co/V0kkYEEIkG pic.twitter.com/nPd5lOQN3Y
— NBA (@NBA) October 23, 2021

An All-Star blossoming in Chicago

HBD All-Star @ZachLavine
Some of his best GMS with the Bulls

49 PTS (13/17 3PT)
47 PTS, 9 REB, 9 AST
46 PTS (9/14 3PT)
45 PTS (10/16 3PT)
44 PTS, 10 REB, 8 AST
43 PTS (20 straight)
42 PTS (21 in 4th) pic.twitter.com/en6lgcc2xb
— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) March 10, 2021

His dunking is still elite

https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1430303909411790852