Chicago Bulls shooting guard Zach LaVine has begun to understand how NBA players are often judged in the large scope of earning awards, making All-Star teams, and earning call-ups for Team USA. LaVine has been an otherworldly talent with ridiculous ups, a great penchant for scoring the ball, and awesome athleticism, but he has yet to be part of a winning team through the course of his first five seasons.
Winning, as it turns out, plays a big factor into obtaining any sort of award or being among those considered for a great coalition of talent, which is something LaVine has begun to grasp as he heads into his sixth NBA season:
“The main thing I learned is you’ll have individual accolades, but everything comes from winning,” LaVine told Darnell Mayberry of The Athletic. “I think I put together a really, really good year, especially for my position as a guard. But I didn’t get the accolades that I wanted as an All-Star or All-NBA or things like that. You’re not on a winning basketball team, and those things come from that. So I think you have to put winning first.”
LaVine had career bests across the board with averages of 23.7 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 4.5 assists, yet the Bulls only managed to win 22 games in 2018-19. This was likely a factor for why he wasn't considered for the All-Star Game, an All-NBA nod, or even Team USA's quest for gold at the recent FIBA World Cup.
If the 24-year-old is able to translate his gaudy numbers into winning, his odds of reaching those heights might improve over the next few years, especially if he can propel the Bulls to a playoff spot in the East.
Follow Us
Subscribe