The tag of “best player currently never to reach the playoffs” is one that LaVine will finally put to rest this season, with talent around him and a better understanding of how to win.
If the only cross Zach LaVine had to bear was “best player,” he’d wear that proudly, doing all he could to work at living up to such praise.
After all, LaVine has always been a worker, both during the season and the offseason.
But when the title he actually currently holds is “best player … currently to never reach the playoffs,” that takes on an entirely different meaning.
What’s nice about the Bulls guard as he enters season No. 8 on Wednesday, he has tons of logical excuses on why he’s never led a team to postseason play, but rarely falls back on them.
Yes, he’s been on bad teams or rebuilding teams, both in Minnesota and with the Bulls. Yes, he’s gone through coaches and systems like clothing. And yes, he’s also had some bad luck, whether it was an injury, a failed coronavirus test, or the ball simply bouncing the wrong way.
Instead of dwelling on that, however, LaVine has always remained positive, focusing on tomorrow rather than the ugly record that stares him in the face today.
That’s why throughout this camp, he’s sounded very repetitive when asked about any sort of goals this season, whether it has to do with his pending free agency or his own individual ones.
“Win. By any means necessary and I’ll be OK with that,” LaVine said. “My mind is on tomorrow, starting this thing off right, working hard, and getting forward with helping us win and just being involved with the team this year.”
That’s because LaVine seems to finally have a better understanding of “tomorrow.” Call it the lessons he learned playing for Team USA in the Summer Olympics or just the idea of fully embracing that nothing is promised beyond today, LaVine will not only have All-Star numbers once again this season, but will end his career-long playoff drought.
Not a bold prediction by any means, considering the talent that has been assembled around LaVine, but the one that still sits atop the prediction list for this upcoming Bulls season.
2. Bulls will be a Top 10 defense – With a roster that was far from healthy and way less athletic, the Bulls were actually a solid defense in the second half of last season.
Fast forward to what they added, and what was seen in the preseason, Lonzo Ball is not only great defensively, but smart, while Alex Caruso will prove to be as disruptive as they come against opposing guards.
Then factor in that Patrick Williams has a year of experience under his belt, as well as an offseason to continue transforming his body from college kid to an NBA man, and while this won’t be the defense that the Knicks or Heat throw at teams, it will still make the opposition work.
Rebounding will be a weakness, but coach Billy Donovan will figure out how to work around that.
3. Backup guard Coby White will be shopped trade deadline time – When he is healthy to return from shoulder surgery — hopefully by late November — it will be interesting to see what role awaits him.
He seems to be a redundant player on this roster, with only his streaky three-point shooting a saving grace, but if Caruso and Ball can be threats from outside, White could be on the move.
4. A redshirt year for Ayo Dosunmu – The Chicago native had a very good camp and showed some positive things in exhibition play, but this roster is very deep in the backcourt. His most productive minutes will likely be on the Windy City Bulls of the G-League.
5. Donovan will finish in the top 5 for Coach of the Year – To go from missing the play-in game to the No. 5 seed in the East? Heck yeah, that will carry some votes.
