There was nothing subtle about Billy Donovan’s All-Star Game endorsement.
The way the first-year Bulls coach sees it few players have played better than guard Zach LaVine, or done more for their roster.
“I would say he is a guy who has impacted our team incredibly well,’’ Donovan said, after the Bulls disassembled the visiting Kings late in Saturday’s win. “I think when you look at players that are all stars you are saying they are playing at a high level individually and they are also raising the level of the team. I think Zach has done that.
“I would be hard pressed to believe there’s guys out there – and I’m not saying who is deserving and who is not deserving – but Zach LaVine is deserving of being an All-Star.’’
The fan voting said otherwise, as far as the starters in the Eastern Conference, and so did the media and players.
The coaches, however, determine the reserves, and that’s what Donovan’s campaign was speaking to. A campaign that has picked up steam not just because of the LaVine numbers, but because of where he has his team currently sitting in the standings entering Sunday.
At 13-16, the Bulls hold the No. 9 spot down, which would earn them at least a play-in game. And LaVine’s numbers? Actually historic 29 games into the season. How about 28.9 points per game on 51.8% shooting from the field and 42.9% from three-point range? Then throw in 5.4 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game.
The real selling point for Donovan, however, is LaVine’s effort on the defensive end after six-plus seasons in the league.
It has always been easy for LaVine to claim he’s wanted to be a two-way player, but until this past month, he’s actually going out there and showing signs on the court that he can be a capable defender.
The defensive numbers have improved since the first six weeks of this regular season, but the eye test shows just how committed LaVine has become, not just early on in a possession, but throughout.
So why now? It’s very unlikely that Donovan is the first coach LaVine has had that’s demanded more form him on the defensive end.
According to LaVine, his explanation was the number of losses he’s endured in the NBA have piled up to an embarrassing level.
He’s not wrong, considering of the 382 NBA games in which he’s played, LaVine has won just 30.9% of them.
“You get to a point where you’re tired of losing,’’ LaVine said of his new defensive mindset. “And you have to figure out you can’t just blame other people.’’
His hope is he’s past the blame game, now showing the league a two-way mentality, and gets rewarded on Tuesday when the rest of the All-Star teams are announced.
It would be huge for LaVine to get on that stage because of the doors that open up. When the league’s elite get together, that’s when the recruiting talk has been known to heat up, and if LaVine wants to stay in Chicago long term he knows he’s going to need some serious help to come and join him.
The other aspect of an All-Star appearance is how his own organization views him. LaVine is making just under $20 million per season this year and next, obviously in line for a big raise.
How big? The new front office will have to determine that. LaVine has his own thoughts on if his new-found defensive mindset has him outplaying his current deal.
“I try to let my game speak for itself,’’ LaVine said. “I think contract negotiations will come up and we’ll see where stuff may lay. I let you guys assess that and put the numbers behind it on the things I’ve done versus my contract and other players. I think I’ve done well for myself though.’’
