Zach Lavine: Offered 4/80 from Kings update p26 Bulls Matched

[johnnyvann840]

Now we just have to wait and see.

Yup.

Funny, just as I'm getting to the end of your post, Kristen Ledlow pops up on my TV screen during SL games. lol. Sorry, I had to laugh.

[SHO'NUFF]

Now we just have to wait and see.

Yup.

Funny, just as I'm getting to the end of your post, Kristen Ledlow pops up on my TV screen during SL games. lol. Sorry, I had to laugh.

I swear to god i mute the TV when she comes on. Wish i was lying.

[johnnyvann840]

Now we just have to wait and see.

Yup.

Funny, just as I'm getting to the end of your post, Kristen Ledlow pops up on my TV screen during SL games. lol. Sorry, I had to laugh.

I swear to god i mute the TV when she comes on. Wish i was lying.

She's kinda hot to me. But, I can see how she could be annoying.

[kulaz3000]

Now we just have to wait and see.

Yup.

Funny, just as I'm getting to the end of your post, Kristen Ledlow pops up on my TV screen during SL games. lol. Sorry, I had to laugh.

I swear to god i mute the TV when she comes on. Wish i was lying.

I have that same reaction with Rachel Nichols. I can't stand her. Her voice, her face, her mannerisms, it just bugs me. That said, I will say she knows basketball and I actually do enjoy the content of what she's saying, but she still bugs me.

[SHO'NUFF]

Yup.

Funny, just as I'm getting to the end of your post, Kristen Ledlow pops up on my TV screen during SL games. lol. Sorry, I had to laugh.

I swear to god i mute the TV when she comes on. Wish i was lying.

She's kinda hot to me. But, I can see how she could be annoying.

Looks are fine....i just feel like she tries to sound too perfect ...as if she's a News anchor. Her voice volume fluctuates lol.....she needs to speak naturally. Ok....woooo sawwwwww......woooo sawwwwww......

im good.....im good....

[Ugly Duckling]

I just watched his post-contract interview. Dude seems more confident. Like the money has inspired him

[Ugly Duckling]

Now we just have to wait and see.

Yup.

Funny, just as I'm getting to the end of your post, Kristen Ledlow pops up on my TV screen during SL games. lol. Sorry, I had to laugh.

I swear to god i mute the TV when she comes on. Wish i was lying.

Not a lot in this world gets to me. But Ledlow. She has the most annoying voice and manner of speaking I've ever heard in my entire life. She's like Siri in the flesh. I feel bad for her

[johnnyvann840]

I just watched his post-contract interview. Dude seems more confident. Like the money has inspired him

Dammit. Exactly what we were afraid of. Last thing we needed. As if lacking confidence was ever a problem for that guy.

Like Dantown said, and I agree, it's hard to imagine Zach realizing his role and position as a team player that will actually result in him helping and not hurting on the scoreboard. After getting paid like that he's only going to believe that he doesn't need to change the way he plays. In his mind everything he has done up until now, as detrimental as we know it has been to his teams, all he knows is that it got him drafted in the lottery, into the NBA, and now paid $80 million. Why change a thing? He thinks he's a star already. Hell, he won the dunk contest! He's a #1 option in his mind. He should be taking more than 20 shots per game.

[sco]

There are 3 key dimensions to basketball success IMO: Physical attributes (size, speed, strength), Skills (dribble, pass, shoot) and Mental aspects.

I agree that of the 3, Zach's problems are most obvious on 3rd dimension. That said, there is a level down that I am willing to go in this discussion. The mental aspects of the game can be further sub-divided into:

Intelligence: Seeing the floor and interpreting what is going to happen next - BBIQ.

Effort: Watching film and understanding tendencies of opponents

Experience: Knowing what to do based on practice, minutes played, comfort in system and with teammates

Attitude: Self vs. team oriented

Of the 4, I think Zach was penalized on the 3rd aspect the most last year, and the good news is that this one sorta fixes itself with time. I have no perspective on others, which, if bad are sorta unfixable.

[Ugly Duckling]

I just watched his post-contract interview. Dude seems more confident. Like the money has inspired him

Dammit. Exactly what we were afraid of. Last thing we needed. As if lacking confidence was ever a problem for that guy.

Like Dantown said, and I agree, it's hard to imagine Zach realizing his role and position as a team player that will actually result in him helping and not hurting on the scoreboard. After getting paid like that he's only going to believe that he doesn't need to change the way he plays. In his mind everything he has done up until now, as detrimental as we know it has been to his teams, all he knows is that it got him drafted in the lottery, into the NBA, and now paid $80 million. Why change a thing? He thinks he's a star already. Hell, he won the dunk contest! He's a #1 option in his mind. He should be taking more than 20 shots per game.

You could be right. Sam Smith asked about how he would control the need to prove his doubters wrong and play within the flow of the offense. His answer was visceral, almost like I don't care what the media says, I'm going to do me. He was talking about individual goals. It's concerning, but increased confidence is good thing. He was playing a bit scared last yr, not only because of the injury but because of the uncertainty around his contract. Now that it's settled, hopefully he focuses on improving his weaknesses, which he seems to be aware of

[johnnyvann840]

I just watched his post-contract interview. Dude seems more confident. Like the money has inspired him

Dammit. Exactly what we were afraid of. Last thing we needed. As if lacking confidence was ever a problem for that guy.

Like Dantown said, and I agree, it's hard to imagine Zach realizing his role and position as a team player that will actually result in him helping and not hurting on the scoreboard. After getting paid like that he's only going to believe that he doesn't need to change the way he plays. In his mind everything he has done up until now, as detrimental as we know it has been to his teams, all he knows is that it got him drafted in the lottery, into the NBA, and now paid $80 million. Why change a thing? He thinks he's a star already. Hell, he won the dunk contest! He's a #1 option in his mind. He should be taking more than 20 shots per game.

You could be right. Sam Smith asked about how he would control the need to prove his doubters wrong and play within the flow of the offense. His answer was visceral, almost like I don't care what the media says, I'm going to do me. He was talking about individual goals. It's concerning, but increased confidence is good thing. He was playing a bit scared last yr, not only because of the injury but because of the uncertainty around his contract. Now that it's settled, hopefully he focuses on improving his weaknesses, which he seems to be aware of

Oh sh*t.

[imagge]

Funny who on the Bulls team right now is a better offensive option than Lavine.....this is not college basketball systems don't win in the NBA players do....When I say better I mean who can get, take and make a tough shot when you need a bucket....there in not a more skilled player on the Bulls right now than Zach.

[BR0D1E86]

Funny who on the Bulls team right now is a better offensive option than Lavine.....this is not college basketball systems don't win in the NBA players do....When I say better I mean who can get, take and make a tough shot when you need a bucket....there in not a more skilled player on the Bulls right now than Zach.

Indeed. He can do that while his four teammates stand around watching because he’s not going to pass. He can then get comically lost on the other end and give up an easy bucket right back.

[madvillian]

This guy appears to be, in the parlance of our times -- "on one".

Hopefully Fred can talk some sense into him after he comes out jacking 20+ shots a night next year.

[coldfish]

After some time has passed, I feel no better about this signing. I sincerely hope Zach proves me wrong but I feel that we are going to be wishing he wasn't on the team relatively shortly into that contract.

Funny who on the Bulls team right now is a better offensive option than Lavine.....this is not college basketball systems don't win in the NBA players do....When I say better I mean who can get, take and make a tough shot when you need a bucket....there in not a more skilled player on the Bulls right now than Zach.

Zach's problem is that he takes those shots when a much easier one would be available to another teammate. At the end of the day, every team needs a tough shot maker when the game is close at the end but if you are down 20 night after night, it doesn't matter.

[WestsideResider]

Zach is gonna turn into the lightskinned Ricky Davis confirmed.

[TheSuzerain]

This guy appears to be, in the parlance of our times -- "on one".

Hopefully Fred can talk some sense into him after he comes out jacking 20+ shots a night next year.

Fred doesn't have it in him.

Lavine is certain he's the first option. And frankly, he has a point given the contract he was just handed.

[chrispatrick]

Funny who on the Bulls team right now is a better offensive option than Lavine.....this is not college basketball systems don't win in the NBA players do....When I say better I mean who can get, take and make a tough shot when you need a bucket....there in not a more skilled player on the Bulls right now than Zach.

LaVine actually has a low percentage of shots taken late in the shot clock. Suggesting he’s taking tough shots out of necessity is factually incorrect given the proportion of his shots that come early in the clock and at the expense of the more efficient shots nearly all of his teammates managed last season.

[League Circles]

Now we just have to wait and see.

Yup.

Funny, just as I'm getting to the end of your post, Kristen Ledlow pops up on my TV screen during SL games. lol. Sorry, I had to laugh.

I swear to god i mute the TV when she comes on. Wish i was lying.

I love her and I hate her.

[drosestruts]

After some time has passed, I feel no better about this signing. I sincerely hope Zach proves me wrong but I feel that we are going to be wishing he wasn't on the team relatively shortly into that contract.

Funny who on the Bulls team right now is a better offensive option than Lavine.....this is not college basketball systems don't win in the NBA players do....When I say better I mean who can get, take and make a tough shot when you need a bucket....there in not a more skilled player on the Bulls right now than Zach.

Zach's problem is that he takes those shots when a much easier one would be available to another teammate. At the end of the day, every team needs a tough shot maker when the game is close at the end but if you are down 20 night after night, it doesn't matter.

Coldfish is on the money here. Zach is probably the best on the team at creating, taking, and making tough shots. But those shots aren't always the best option and can kill our flow on the offensive side of the ball. Zach's best game last season came against the Timberwolves at home, watch the highlights again and try to pay attention to how many times Zach collapses the defense or sucks two defenders in, and instead of kicking it to open teammates takes (and since this is a highlight video MAKES) a tough shot. We know his percentages on the season, so nights weren't always this good:

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