Kendrick Perkins Takes A Shot At Zach LaVine

As the NBA season begins it seems like media members and “experts” just won’t leave the Bulls alone. During the offseason, the Bulls restructured their front office and coaching staff but didn’t make many roster changes. This team hasn’t even played a game yet under the new regime and there are still people who are skeptical. One person, in particular, is former NBA center, Kendrick Perkins. In an interview with Heavy Perkins touched on Bulls star SG Zach LaVine.

"I love Zach LaVine but I don't like him on the Chicago Bulls. I think he needs to be somewhere where he is the number 2 guy. He isn't the number 1 guy. He isn't going to get you over the hump night in and night out.
– Former NBA player Kendrick Perkins told @ScoopB

— Daniel Greenberg (@ChiSportUpdates) December 11, 2020

Perkins starts his comment by laying down his love for Zach LaVine but then finishes by saying he can’t be a #1 guy. Under the previous coaching group, LaVine was relied on to be the offensive leader and basically take over games. Did it always work? No. However, there were many times when he did take over and win the game for the Bulls. For Perkins to say that LaVine isn’t that guy is ridiculous and here’s why.

LaVine is young

For starters, Zach is only 25 years old. He’s been in the NBA for 6 years and is still developing into the player that he wants to be. To call a guy out who is getting into his prime and say that he can’t be that guy is absurd. He has been poorly coached throughout his entire career (yes that includes the one year with Thibodeau). This will be the first opportunity he has had where he’s under a good coaching staff that’s developing the guys around him. He has improved his points per game every single year since coming into the league. With the right people around him, he absolutely could be the #1 guy. The Bulls are using this year to determine if the guys in the locker room are the right people to have around him.

The playoff debate

The main thing that people bring up about LaVine when debating whether he can be a #1 guy is that he hasn’t been to the playoffs. While that’s a fair point to bring up it isn’t something that can solely be put on LaVine. Since coming to the Bulls we knew those teams weren’t going to be heading to the playoffs. From the coaching staff to the makeup of the roster it just wasn’t going to happen. In his time in Minnesota, he improved significantly but he was still young in his NBA career. LaVine wasn’t going to come in like Lebron James and carry the team to the playoffs. That’s an unrealistic expectation. Now that he’s entering his 7th year in the league and coming off averaging 25.5 PPG one can expect him to lead his team to the playoffs. Under a competent head coach and with some more experience under this young team’s belt LaVine could find himself in a much different situation than his previous 6 years in the league. It’s far too early on to label LaVine as someone who can’t be a #1 option. This season he will be out to prove that.

Kendrick Perkins has always thought of Zach as #2

This isn’t the first time that Kendrick Perkins has taken a shot at Zach. Earlier this year he made it clear he didn’t think Zach was someone to build around.

Is Kendrick Perkins correct about Zach LaVine? 👀#Bulls #NBA #NBATwitter pic.twitter.com/LxaOFk5pmB

— Bulls Nation (@BullsNationCP) January 10, 2020

While I can see how someone may argue this point it’s simply too soon to have this take and stick with it. Some may say that after 6 seasons you know what you’ve got in a player. LaVine has improved his stats each year and again is only 25. Perkins may think LaVine is a #2 guy but he definitely sees just how talented he is.

2008 NBA champion Kendrick Perkins told @ScoopB that Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine is a "silent killer."

Perkins: "I love everything about him. He's a pure scorer. Wants to win. He plays winning basketball. He's one of the most underrated not talked about guys in the league."

— Daniel Greenberg (@ChiSportUpdates) June 19, 2020

It’s a little confusing to hear someone say so many good things about a player but still believe he can’t be anything more than a #2 on a team. But I can at least see where his take is coming from. However, I completely disagree with it. If LaVine had been in different situations in his career then this would be a different conversation. LaVine has the potential to be a #1 guy and he absolutely could be someone to build around. LaVine will be out to prove that this season under new head coach Billy Donovan.