LAVINE UPPING HIS DEFENSIVE GAME
LaVine’s defense still has quite a ways to go, but it’s finally one of his priorities
This isn’t the neighborhood Bulls guard Zach LaVine wants to be hanging out in when it comes to his defense.
Center Wendell Carter Jr., LaVine’s Bulls teammate, isn’t far off, and neither is twotime All-Star Bradley Beal of the Wizards, but LaVine has an eye on moving up fast. Good thing for him he has a coach, Billy Donovan, who can help.
But the hard part is on LaVine.
“It’s not just going to be given to you,” he said. “Nothing has really ever been given, so I’m going to continue to go out there and show it, and the more the wins pile up and I do my part, it will be recognized. But it’s a self-decision of me trying to be the best version of Zach LaVine that I can be.”
The eye test says LaVine is working in that direction, especially in three of the last five games. But his overall defensive numbers still scream something different this season. In 14 games, he has a 117.5 defensive rating — 415th in the league, according to NBA.com as of Tuesday. Carter, who’s usually much better in this category, has a 117.6 as he learns a new drop defense from Donovan and experiences serious growing pains. And Beal, with a shoot-first reputation like LaVine, has a defensive rating of 116.7.
No, not a good neighborhood for LaVine, but at least there seems to be an awakening — a realization that being a complete player leads to winning, and winning leads to recognition. There are no shortcuts.
And while Donovan isn’t the first coach to try convincing LaVine of that, maybe he’s the first one getting through.
“He challenges you, and he puts a big deal of — I don’t want to say pressure — but he makes you step up to the plate,” LaVine said. “For me, personally, I like that.”
Apparently so. Lately, LaVine is not only playing better on-the ball defense — where he always has been solid — but also off-the ball defense. Whether it was a lack of focus before or LaVine simply looking to save energy on defense so his offense didn’t take a hit, he often has underwhelmed away from the ball and in help situations.
But starting against the Lakers two weeks ago, there seemed to be a shift. He had two steals in the Bulls’ loss and looked way more active defensively. Then, against the Mavericks on Sunday, he took on the tough assignment of helping to slow AllStar Luka Doncic in the second half. LaVine, Patrick Williams and Garrett Temple did just that, holding Doncic to six points after intermission. LaVine also had three steals.
The trend continued Monday in the Bulls’ win over the Rockets, with LaVine adding two more steals and a block as he showed more awareness on “D.”
Seven years into his NBA career, LaVine is taking things more seriously on that side of the ball. Finally.
Asked to explain his new mentality, he responded, “A little bit of everything. I’ve always considered myself a really good onball defender. I don’t think a lot of people are
going to beat me off the dribble. But just the energy and awareness, and it comes with film and coaches being on you . . . and me just understanding I have to do this to help us win. I have to lock in and just be better.”
Sounds like a guy on the move.