The long wait is finally over and Bulls shooting guard Zach LaVine has been announced as an NBA All-Star. In what has been the best year of his career LaVine is finally getting the respect he deserves. While Bulls fans have known how special LaVine is other coaches around the league have taken note and voted him as an All-Star reserve.
THAT’S OUR ALL-STAR.
Congrats @ZachLaVine on your first All-Star selection! pic.twitter.com/33OujDe2mM
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) February 24, 2021
This is a huge honor as last year LaVine was on the cusp of being an All-Star but didn’t make the cut. LaVine has turned it on leading into All-Star voting and made sure to show up when the Bulls were on national TV. Zach 100% deserved this All-Star selection. His stats this season are at another level and he’s a huge reason why the Bulls have been winning games.
Career-high stats
So far this season LaVine is averaging 28.6 PPG, 51.8 FG%, 5.4 RPG, & 5.1 APG. He is creating new career highs for himself in six different categories.
Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine this season is averaging career-highs in points, rebounds, assists, threes, field goal percentage, and free throw percentage.
(Via Basketball Reference)
— Daniel Greenberg (@ChiSportUpdates) February 18, 2021
LaVine has been an absolute beast offensively this year. He chose the perfect time to turn it on as we were heading into All-Star voting. LaVine’s last 9 games have been nothing short of All-Star caliber play.
Zach LaVine last 9 games:
33.6 PPG
5.9 RPG
4.7 APG
4.2 3PG
54/53/80%
6-3 recordThe Bulls are now in the playoff picture in the East. pic.twitter.com/26dx7DlBZo
— StatMuse (@statmuse) February 23, 2021
The Bulls are in playoff contention and you know LaVine is going to do everything he possibly can to keep them there. While continuing to try and win games LaVine will continue to make his mark in Bulls history.
LaVine is moving up in Bulls history
On more than one occasion this season LaVine has found himself in the conversation with the greatest Bulls player of all time, Michael Jordan. Not because he is on the same level as Jordan but because he has matched some of his Bulls achievements. Most recently LaVine found himself on the Bulls list for top-scoring months as he is averaging 32 PPG in February.
Zach LaVine is having the 31st best scoring month in Bulls history
Michael Jordan was ok at basketball it would seem 💀💀💀 pic.twitter.com/J9deI1PNx1
— Bulls Talk (@NBCSBulls) February 23, 2021
In most franchises’s being tied 31st on any list wouldn’t be that impressive but considering that Jordan takes spots 1-30 and 33-46 this is a pretty big accomplishment. This isn’t the only time this season LaVine has found himself in the same category as Jordan.
Zach LaVine has 281 points in his last 8 games; the only other Bulls player with that many points over an 8-game span is Michael Jordan pic.twitter.com/DMhFOehYTm
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) February 21, 2021
Again this is another huge achievement for LaVine as Michael Jordan is considered the GOAT. LaVine’s game offensively is at a whole new level. He’s currently sitting at 6th in the NBA in points per game and is 1st in field goal percentage among shooting guards. This season has been about more than just improving offensively. LaVine wants to improve his game all around.
LaVine is getting better defensively
It’s no secret the Bulls have been a poor defensive team. Under new head coach Billy Donovan the Bulls are trying to fix that. The leader of the team is working just as hard as everyone else to do just that.
Zach LaVine plans to improve further on defense as well 👊 pic.twitter.com/77APzF3xdN
— Bulls Nation (@BullsNationCP) February 21, 2021
LaVine knows that he has the talents to be a great defensive player and he isn’t shying away from challenges. He has upped his intensity on both ends of the floor which has been huge for this team. LaVine is trying to set the tone for the rest of the team both offensively and defensively. While he certainly can carry the team scoring-wise it would be nice if the team didn’t have to score 115 points every game to get a win. While the defense still has room to improve LaVine’s offense is on fire right now. Give LaVine time under a new head coach to truly blossom on both sides of the ball. At the end of the day, one thing is for sure, Zach LaVine is an NBA All-Star
| ̄ ̄ ̄ ̄ ̄ ̄ |
| ZACH |
| LAVINE |
| IS AN |
| ALL-STAR! |
| _______|
(__/) ||
(•ㅅ•) ||
/ づ— Bleacher Nation Bulls (@BN_Bulls) February 23, 2021