One of the reasons people are expecting the Chicago Bulls to take a step forward during the 2021-22 season is the ascension of Zach LaVine. He made his first All-Star game last season and is turning into one of the better wing players in the NBA.
The team got him some help at the NBA trade deadline, acquiring Nikola Vucevic from the Orlando Magic. While they were unable to make the postseason following that, they are hoping to crash the party this season.
Chicago’s front office made sure to continue upgrading the roster around their star shooting guard. Lonzo Ball was acquired in a sign-and-trade to take over the starting point guard spot alongside LaVine and DeMar DeRozan was also acquired in a sign-and-trade to bolster the wing.
It will benefit LaVine from having all this talent around him as teams can no longer key in on just stopping him. He has teammates that can now help carry the load offensively. He has made major strides on that end of the court, averaging an extremely efficient 27.4 points per game.
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But defensively, this is where LaVine and the team have to improve. As the leader of the team, he is taking it upon himself to continue improving on that end of the court. He has set a lofty goal for himself in the process.
“I don’t want to stop here,” LaVine said back in February. “I want to be All-Defense, All-NBA.”
Making the All-Defense team would be quite an accomplishment for Zach LaVine, who has never been lauded for his defense. But, it is something that he showed he was working on while playing for Team USA in the Summer Olympics.
“You saw me out there in Tokyo playing defense,” LaVine said during an appearance on NBC Sports Chicago on Bulls’ media day on Monday. “I was picking up 94 (feet). I felt like I was you. I was sliding, lunging, diving on the floor.
“I’ll try to take the challenge. I think it would just help me raise my game. So I’m all for it.”
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If he can bring that same mentality and work ethic stateside with the Bulls, they could surprise some people this offseason. Their defense matching their offensive potential would certainly put them in a position to compete for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
