LaVine to make debut with Bulls
The Chicago Bulls plan to debut guard Zach LaVine just in time for his bobblehead night.
LaVine, who was acquired in a draft-day trade that sent Jimmy Butler to the Minnesota Timberwolves, is expected to play Saturday when the Bulls host the Pistons.
His debut comes 11 months after he had surgery on a torn ACL in his left knee.
It also falls on the same night the Bulls plan to give away LaVine's likeness to fans.
LaVine averaged 18.9 points per game for Minnesota last season.
He hasn't played since he tore his ACL during a Feb. 3 game against Detroit.
The 22-year-old had surgery on Feb. 14 and was traded to Chicago along with Kris Dunn and the pick used to select first-rounder Lauri Markkanen.
Thanks to a tireless rehab regimen, LaVine is ready to get back on the court for the team's final 40 games.
His return should give the Bulls' front office a lengthy enough look at a player who is set to become a restricted free agent after the season ends.
John Paxson, Chicago's executive vice president of basketball operations, said Tuesday that the team initially intends to limit LaVine to 20 minutes per game to ease him back into the rotation.
Paxson said the team hasn't decided whether LaVine will start or come off the bench.
Steve Kerr calls Ball the ‘Kardashian’ of NBA
Golden State coach Steve Kerr called LaVar Ball “the Kardashian of the NBA” on Monday night, and said he thinks the father of Lakers rookie Lonzo Ball has zero credibility.
Disgusted, Kerr made his remarks before the Warriors' game against Denver. He was asked about LaVar Ball after the demonstrative dad told ESPN that the Lakers no longer want to play for coach Luke Walton, a dear Kerr friend and former top assistant with the Warriors.
Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle, president of the National Basketball Coaches Association, has called the ESPN article “a disgrace” and LaVar Ball's comments an “ignorant distraction.”
“Somewhere, I guess in Lithuania, LaVar Ball is laughing at all of us. People are eating out of his hands for no apparent reason, other than he's become like the Kardashian of the NBA or something,” Kerr said. “And that sells, and that's what's true in politics and entertainment and now in sports. It doesn't matter if there's any substance involved with an issue, it's just can we make it really interesting for no apparent reason? There is nothing interesting about that story.”
“I feel horrible for Luke, that's my guy, he's one of my best friends,” Kerr said. “He shouldn't have to deal with this.”