Chicago Bulls shooting guard Zach LaVine is already a proven scorer in the NBA. His defensive limitations have been a major problem, but teammate Kris Dunn tells LaVine there's no reason he can't be a good defender.
ESPN's Malika Andrews revealed Dunn's words of motivation for the 23-year-old LaVine:
Kris Dunn has been working with Zach LaVine on his defensive skills. Dunn said, “I just told him, ‘You're as fast as me, you're more athletic than me. There is no way you shouldn't be a good defender in this league.'
Dunn and LaVine will comprise the starting backcourt for the Bulls this season. While both players possess superior athleticism, their contrasting playing styles are evident. Dunn's trump card is his defensive versatility, while LaVine's primary strength is his ability to create shots for himself.
But the 6-foot-6 LaVine has since reiterated that his focus this year would be on becoming a good defensive player. The former Slam Dunk Contest champion is aware of the criticisms he receives because of his defense, per an interview with former NBC Sports Chicago reporter Vincent Goodwill.
“I'm not gonna slack off from that,” LaVine said. “I hear people talk: ‘You can't do this.' it helps me pay more attention to it and get better. I could care less. It's something I want to be better at, and I want to be great on both ends.”
The Bulls matched a four-year, $78 million offer sheet for LaVine this summer, and it's safe to say he will take it upon himself to prove he is worth every penny of that deal.
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