A benchmark victory at all levels. In Boston, the Bulls struck hard by winning against the reigning champions. Great explanation for this success, Zach LaVineauthor of his best outing of the year with his 36 points (11/19 on shots including 6/11 from distance).
The Chicago back took matters into his own hands as he is a little less accustomed to doing this season. As The Athletic details, Zach LaVine gained in efficiency by having less of the ball in his hands.
He averages around 22 points but takes just under 16 shots per game, two to three shots fewer than in most of his seasons in Chicago. With 50.5% success, the guard is approaching his best career percentage, which is the case for the only 3-point shot (43.5%).
A falling “usage rate”
Also, if he is still the player with the most ball in hand, his “Usage Rate” is 25%, compared to 28% to 31% in previous years. “ I don't think that's the style of play we're playing at the moment. There might be a game where I need to try to lead the team offensively, but this year it's more in spurts », confirms the 29-year-old player about his reduced use of isolation.
Zach LaVine had to get used to the Bulls' philosophy of getting rid of their reliance on one-on-one play and implementing a faster pace with more ball movement. With plenty of ball carriers (Coby White, Ayo Dosunmu, Josh Giddey), he can play more without them.
And no longer has to carry the Bulls offense as much every night. He has only finished as the team's top scorer 11 times this season, for only 3 victories.
Ready to defend more
« I think I did a good job choosing my zones, being efficient, productive. I think I can still do better. There were matches where I didn't shoot particularly well “, he remarks, while his coach recalls his ability to score “ off the dribble, in isolation or on pick-and-roll ».
« He is in the Top 5 on transition points. He really runs. He really tried to help us establish the identity of the style of play and the way we try to play », further compliments Billy Donovan, whose player also assumes his defensive responsibilities, increased due to the departure of Alex Caruso.
« I try to take on these tasks for the team. It's good for us, especially in one-on-one situations where I can try to lock down a guy. The best players in the league are going to score points, it's just a matter of how we can make it difficult for them », Judges the one whose name should still be circulating in transfer rumors.
His change of register is likely to attract a little more attention from a big team, like the Nuggets, looking for a second or even third offensive option capable of being effective without necessarily needing the ball, around Nikola Jokic.
| Zach LaVine | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saison | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | LF | Off | Def | To | Pd | Fte | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2014-15 | MIN | 77 | 25 | 42.2 | 34.1 | 84.2 | 0.4 | 2.4 | 2.8 | 3.6 | 2.1 | 0.7 | 2.5 | 0.1 | 10.1 |
| 2015-16 | MIN | 82 | 28 | 45.2 | 38.9 | 79.3 | 0.3 | 2.5 | 2.8 | 3.1 | 2.4 | 0.8 | 1.9 | 0.2 | 14.0 |
| 2016-17 | MIN | 47 | 37 | 45.9 | 38.7 | 83.6 | 0.4 | 3.0 | 3.4 | 3.0 | 2.2 | 0.9 | 1.8 | 0.2 | 18.9 |
| 2017-18 | CHI | 24 | 27 | 38.3 | 34.1 | 81.3 | 0.4 | 3.5 | 3.9 | 3.0 | 2.3 | 1.0 | 1.8 | 0.2 | 16.7 |
| 2018-19 | CHI | 63 | 35 | 46.7 | 37.4 | 83.2 | 0.6 | 4.0 | 4.7 | 4.5 | 2.2 | 1.0 | 3.4 | 0.4 | 23.7 |
| 2019-20 | CHI | 60 | 35 | 45.0 | 38.0 | 80.2 | 0.7 | 4.1 | 4.8 | 4.2 | 2.2 | 1.5 | 3.4 | 0.5 | 25.5 |
| 2020-21 | CHI | 58 | 35 | 50.7 | 41.9 | 84.9 | 0.6 | 4.4 | 5.0 | 4.9 | 2.4 | 0.8 | 3.5 | 0.5 | 27.4 |
| 2021-22 | CHI | 67 | 35 | 47.6 | 38.9 | 85.3 | 0.3 | 4.3 | 4.6 | 4.5 | 1.8 | 0.6 | 2.6 | 0.3 | 24.4 |
| 2022-23 | CHI | 77 | 36 | 48.5 | 37.5 | 84.8 | 0.5 | 3.9 | 4.5 | 4.2 | 2.1 | 0.9 | 2.5 | 0.2 | 24.8 |
| 2023-24 | CHI | 25 | 35 | 45.2 | 34.9 | 85.4 | 0.3 | 4.8 | 5.2 | 3.9 | 2.3 | 0.8 | 2.1 | 0.3 | 19.5 |
| 2024-25 | CHI | 24 | 33 | 50.5 | 43.5 | 80.9 | 0.2 | 4.2 | 4.5 | 4.2 | 1.8 | 0.8 | 2.8 | 0.2 | 22.3 |
| Total | 603 | 33 | 46.6 | 38.4 | 83.3 | 0.5 | 3.6 | 4.1 | 3.9 | 2.2 | 0.9 | 2.6 | 0.3 | 20.5 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
