PHILADELPHIA – Zach LaVine would have loved to give an answer on Friday.
The high-flying Bulls guard, however, finds himself in an unfamiliar position: Grounded and in a holding pattern.
LaVine did sound more open to returning to the Slam Dunk Contest over the All-Star Weekend before taking the court against the 76ers, but was also still attached to the idea that his return to a contest he won twice pre-torn anterior cruciate ligament would be made easier if he was also chosen to the Eastern Conference All-Star Team.
“Nope, not yet,’’ LaVine said, when asked if he had made a decision yet. “I’ll find out probably when the All-Star voting comes out.’’
Translation: You want me in your contest then put me in your game.
LaVine was also asked about participating in the Three-Point Contest, which he was hoping to get an invite to. He’s still waiting.
“Not yet. Not that I’ve heard of yet,’’ LaVine said. “I should soon, but I think they want me for the dunk contest, so that makes sense.’’
What makes sense as far as LaVine was concerned was first and foremost to be an All-Star. In his eyes, and the eyes of the organization, he’s more than shown enough this season, with a campaign that had only picked up steam.
In his previous 10 games entering the weekend, LaVine was averaging 27.9 points, 4.9 rebounds and 4.6 assists. It’s a campaign he’s not shy in talking about, either.
“Of course, because there’s goals individually you want to meet,’’ LaVine said, when asked about his desire to be a first-time All-Star. “You play the game, work out in the offseason and all that, not just for the team, but personal things as well. Anybody would want to have that achievement.’’
If it doesn’t come?
“I understood the situation,’’ LaVine said, pointing out where the Bulls were in the standings. “Winning comes first, and a lot of good things come from that, as a team and individually. Me personally, it’s not going to change my confidence or how I look at myself when I step on the floor. I know who I am.’’
Still, the organization would love to put that feather in the cap in Year 3 of the rebuild. It would show some star power, as well as be a solid selling point for free agency.
“We think Zach is an All-Star caliber player,’’ coach Jim Boylen said. “I think he’s played All-Star basketball. I think it’s a great story, with the knee injury after the dunk contests [he won], and working his way back. He’s still only played 150-some games in a Bulls uniform in three years, so to me it’s a helluva story of perseverance, of toughness, of a guy working his way through it with a young team.’’
A “story’’ Boylen would love repeating when it’s time to recruit potential free agents to join the Bulls over the next few offseasons.
“I think first of all we tried to put Zach into positions for him to be successful,’’ Boylen said. “That’s what you talk to a free agent about. The free agent we feel wants to be a part of what we’re building in Chicago, and we’ve got to help him become who he could become. I also think Zach can be a spokesman, a salesman for what we’re doing. As you know players talks, so that’s important.’’
NOTE: Chandler Hutchison was able to return to the court and play on Friday, after he left late in the win over the Wizards, reinjuring his right shoulder in a fall to the floor. He was under no restrictions.
