Career-Best Perimeter Shooting

Perimeter shooting is one of the league’s most sought after skills. Offenses are predicated on them and games are turned on a whim with a few quick threes.

The Bulls are one of the many teams who rely heavily on the three-point shot. Last season they were 6th in attempts and 10th in threes made from the arc. The only problem, they were 21st when it came to his 3-point percentage (35.5%). Only four players in their rotation who played 50 games or more, averaged higher than that number: Bobby Portis, Justin Holiday, Lauri Markkanen, and Denzel Valentine.

Zach LaVine wasn’t horrible from the arc, but he certainly didn’t thrive, shooting 34.1% on just over five attempts per contest. Call that an aberration as across his career he’s been a more than capable perimeter threat (38.3%). He only featured in 24 games last season as well and when it comes to 3-point shooting rhythm is everything – 24 games is hardly enough time to develop that.

Across his short career, LaVine has nailed 5 or more threes in a game 14 times.

If he can stay healthy for 70 games or more, there’s no reason why he can’t double that mark by season’s end. His 2016-17 numbers were something that coach Hoiberg and the Chicago staff will be hoping LaVine can recapture. He shot nearly 39% from the perimeter on a healthy 6.6 attempts per game. He’ll be given every opportunity next season to exceed those numbers.

For the Bulls to climb into the top half in 3-point percentage, LaVine will be a huge factor. Seven attempts per game at a rate of 38% or higher would give the team every chance to elevate themselves into the upper trajectory in that vital area.

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