Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine has come under fire for questionable decision making in a late-game loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Monday night.
The dynamic guard decided to wave off teammate Wendell Carter Jr. from setting a screen in the waning seconds of the game, and instead opted to launch a deep, contested three-pointer with his team only down a single point. The shot barely grazed the rim, and the Bulls went on to lose their 16th game of the season.
Fred wants a Wendell screen. LaVine clears it out and takes a deep 3.
Bulls lose. pic.twitter.com/kHCaBTgcrb
— Bulls Talk (@NBCSBulls) November 27, 2018
In his postgame interview, Zach LaVine defended his shot selection, insisting the shot was one that he had made before and he was attempting to avoid a double-team.
LaVine: “I’m a confident shooter. I’ve made a lot of shots like that. I didn’t want them to double-team me. That’s why I waved off the screen.”
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) November 27, 2018
While LaVine is currently the leading scorer for the Bulls and arguably their go-to guy at the end of games, there is no denying that this is not an ideal shot to launch with the game on the line.
Among the five guards that have played more than 15 games with the Bulls in the young season, LaVine has the lowest three-point percentage, and head coach Fred Hoiberg would undoubtedly prefer to see LaVine either take the double-team and pass out of it or put his head down and attempt to get a shot attempt at the rim or draw a foul.
Regardless, the game will now serve as a learning experience for a young player on a growing team. The Bulls and Zach LaVine will move on from this loss and attempt to rebound on Wednesday night against the Milwaukee Bucks.
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