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

[transplant]

It's pretty clear that if LaVine plays basketball as he's been playing basketball, he pretty much sucks. He has all the ability in the world. He should be able to be a plus player. The Bulls are betting that he can do this. I don't feel real good about this bet, but I very much want to be wrong.

[NDave79]

I'm hardly the biggest Zach fan and the deal we gave him makes me uncomfortable, but I think there are some things that have made his transition to the NBA relatively difficult.

- In four years in the league, he has had 4 different coaches, thus probably 4 different offensive and defensive schemes to learn.

- His first year and a half he was apparently playing out of position at PG.

- His 3rd year offensive numbers were actually a decent bit better (compared to his season stats) before some minor injuries around January dragged his numbers down before his ACL injury.

- Thibs defense has always seemed to take a while to pick up. Even veterans seem to need a decent chunk of the season to get comfortable.

- He didn't have a preseason to practice the Bull's offensive and defensive system.


So basically, I don't love what I've seen so far, but due to some of the circumstances and how young and physically underdeveloped he was coming into the league, I still have hope he can become a legitimate star in a more stable environment (along with physical, mental and skills development).

[johnnyvann840]

It's pretty clear that if LaVine plays basketball as he's been playing basketball, he pretty much sucks. He has all the ability in the world. He should be able to be a plus player. The Bulls are betting that he can do this. I don't feel real good about this bet, but I very much want to be wrong.

I'm right there with you. Hoping for the best, because if he and Parker can turn things around and both get engaged defensively and learn to play team offense, moving the ball and moving off the ball, the Bulls could surprise everybody. Like you, I really really do want to be wrong about him, despite what a lot of posters here think. I don't hate the guy or anything. I've hated his brand of basketball so far and I just tell it like it is. I would be the happiest one here if Zach comes out and plays winning basketball. I'm just not holding my breath and setting myself up to be let down. We all know he has the physical gifts and all the upside in the World. Seemingly, only one way for him to go.

Same with Jabari. If he plays up to his potential and becomes a team player, a winning player, the Bulls could shock me and somehow make the playoffs. The East is so weak, it wouldn't even take a complete change, just a gradual one and a continual one.

A lot of it is on Hoiberg. He has to coach those two up and get them to buy in to team concepts on both ends. They have to be willing, but Fred has his work cut out for him, for sure.