With only 14 games left in the regular season, the Chicago Bulls must make a tough decision on starter Zach LaVine's playing time. The explosive guard is currently dealing with a right knee strain that could cost him the rest of the season.
According to the Chicago Sun Times, Bulls head coach Jim Boylen has not decided how to play out the situation just yet. Boylen claimed that it will be a tough call, saying:
“We have not had that discussion about the rest of the season. I think what we’re hoping for is every day he responds and gets a little better. It’s not the situation or the time of the year to push a guy to try and get a certain seed or home-court. That’s as simply as I can put it. It’s not the time … we have to understand that. I think you know my personality, I want to win every game and play our ass off every game, and do that, but we’ve got to be smart too.’”
Zach LaVine has made the decision even harder by playing some excellent ball lately. In the five games he played in this March, he averaged 29.8 points, 4.8 rebounds and 4.0 assists.
The Bulls should already be thinking about next season after a rough campaign that they never really had a shot to contend in. Shutting LaVine down is probably the best move to make. It will allow one of their best players to ensure he is healthy, and it might even help Chicago drop a few games to increase their chance of obtaining the number one pick.
Knowing LaVine's drive and passion, it will be tough to keep him off the court if he feels healthy enough to play. However, it would be a surprise to see the Bulls push him back to play out 14 games that the team has no need to win.
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