Zach LaVine being self-aware of his defensive reputation is nothing new.
Actually doing something about it? That’s what the Bulls guard is seemingly poised to start tackling this season.
At least that’s the plan.
“I’m just tired of people talking [bleep] about my defense,’’ LaVine said on Monday. “I’ve always been a good on-ball defender. But there’s no reason I can be this good offensively and not be that good on the defensive end. So I’m taking more pride in it. I’m pretty sure it’ll show. I’ll make sure of that.’’
So far, so good.
LaVine’s self-assessment is fairly accurate. His on-the-ball defense has never been the problem. It’s when the ball is moving that LaVine seems to lose focus, specifically on the location of the player he’s supposed to be guarding. There are other fundamentals that have tripped up LaVine on the defensive end, but nothing he can’t correct.
And in LaVine’s world, if he leads in that department, the team will follow.
“Yeah, because there are no excuses,’’ LaVine said. “It starts from top to bottom. It has to start with me. If I go out there and do my job, if I’m doing it offensively and defensively, I think it holds everybody accountable because I’m holding myself accountable, too.’’
So how has the 24-year-old finally reached these conclusions in his sixth NBA season?
Like he said, getting tired of all the criticism of his defense has worn on him. Then factor in a defensive-minded coach in Jim Boylen, who since Day 1 after taking over from Fred Hoiberg has preached accountability.
Add in some respected veteran teammates to also pass that message along, and LaVine was suddenly taking a long look at the man in the mirror.
“Zach has taken on a new challenge,’’ new Bulls forward Thaddeus Young said. “We told him at the beginning of the season that he has to become a better two-way player, and he’s taken strides in the preseason and doing that, hustling back and going on the court for loose balls, making sure he’s out there doing the things we need him to do for us as a team.
“His leadership has grown tremendously since I’ve been here, and he’s getting better each and every day. But he doesn’t get tired of the grind, he doesn’t get tired of the work, and he’s going to continue to get better.’’
The current preseason sample size is a small one, but through the first three games in which LaVine has played, he’s averaging 23.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and even 1.3 steals per game.
That label of two-way player is not only showing itself, but might have some staying power.
“He needs to become that,’’ Boylen said. “It’s crucial that he becomes that. But I think when you put the work in and you care and you are committed like he is with the talent he has it’s going to happen. I think he’s taking care of the things he controls.
“What he’s talked about and what we’ve talked about is him becoming the best two-way player he can become. Two-way player meaning he is engaged and committed to both ends of the floor, and he is doing that and it’s fun to see and it helps him, helps our team, and it just shows another level he can go to.’’
