DETROIT – It was almost as if Zach LaVine was playing possum, watching teammate Nikola Vučević feast on a lax Pistons defense – and then he exploded.
It was one triple in the fourth, then another, and another, and another. You could see it in the way he walked, the light steps, the easy release. The only ones who didn’t seem to notice LaVine on a heater were the Pistons, who were trying to reach the .500 benchmark in a true show of progress.
Only LaVine ruthlessly took the ball away with six 3-pointers in the fourth quarter of the Bulls’ 122-112 victory at Little Casears Arena on Monday night. He had just seven points entering the fourth, but exploded for 18 and finished with 25.
After playing just 25 games last year before right foot surgery ended his season in February, the discussion surrounding LaVine has focused more on his max contract, trade rumors and his rocky relationship with coach Billy Donovan.
Actually, it was about everything except his playing, and that didn’t go unnoticed.
“I heard everything,” LaVine told Yahoo Sports on Monday. “I have read everything. Sometimes you have to take that responsibility and put a chip on your shoulder. There are a lot of things people said I had to prove. I think my CV speaks for itself, the type of player I am, the type of person I am, but it is what it is.
“You can always attract attention.”
LaVine laughs easily and jumps even easier, even after multiple surgeries that would have sapped the athleticism of most players. But this season he has an edge. He’s playing with more power while working within Donovan’s tough roster schedule.
Always efficient, LaVine is playing above his usual numbers, shooting 51% from the field and 43% from 3-point range (both career highs) on more than seven 3-point attempts per night, and is averaging 22 points, 5.2 rebounds and 4.2 assists.
In this luxury tax apron world, where teams have seemingly put themselves in a worse position in terms of player movement, every dollar is counted. So conversations about acquiring LaVine often start with the five-year, $215 million deal he signed in the summer of 2022. And when players get injured, it’s easy to forget how good they are, or can be when active.
“I don’t know,” LaVine said. “It’s not up to me to try to get everyone to like me. I’m happy with what I got, what I deserved. And some people may not feel that way and you can judge it based on that. But either way, I know who I am and what I’ve done in this league.”
It’s no secret that the Bulls have been acquiring LaVine in recent years, and as time goes on with his deal, there’s no doubt that a better market will form if the franchise looks to recommit.
After next season, he will have a $48 million player option in 2026-27, and at age 32 he can return to free agency.
But for now, he’s a bright spot on an up-and-down Bulls team. He entered training camp about 10 pounds lighter, ostensibly to take the pressure off his knees. He spent the summer training at The Box training center in Costa Mesa, California, where he learned, “You don’t play boxing.”
He sparred with Jesús Soto Karass, a former welterweight and junior middleweight boxer from Mexico.
“I got in the ring with him and I hit him too hard one time during one of our sparring sessions, and he beat me up,” LaVine said with a full laugh. “If I’m ever in the wrong situation, I can defend myself, but you shouldn’t box with those guys.”
It served its purpose, though, as he looks healthier and still resilient – ready to take over that fourth quarter again. He’s a far cry from the two-time dunk champion; he is a more complete player on both sides and will pick his spot until he can make his mark on games.
“I’m in a good place and I’m feeling sharp right now,” LaVine said. “To be able to be one of the experienced guys on the team and still do what I do. Help win in any way you can. One day defending, facilitating, whatever they ask.
The occasional defensive lapses aren’t that common, and even though he hasn’t advanced past the first round of the postseason in his career, it’s been more of a failure in team building than in LaVine’s personal performance.
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The only time the Bulls had any real hope over the last six or seven years was the short-lived period where LaVine and DeMar DeRozan were able to terrorize opponents, backed by a healthy Lonzo Ball.
LaVine gave DeRozan space to take over in the fourth quarter and the two worked together with ease. DeRozan had numerous game winners, and LaVine, as the better deep shooter, could play that role. Both were All-Stars in 2022, the only year all three entered the season healthy.
“I’ve had plenty of games where I had to take over, but the respect you give DeMar, you don’t want to take away from what he does best,” LaVine said. “I had to take a step back because you don’t put DeMar in the corner. It won’t be the best for him or the team. I can play off the ball.
“I’ve seen how DeMar plays in the fourth and how he calms down. And especially for me: a learning experience. I tip my hat to DeMar, I love DeMar, but I also put a lot of work into this.
It goes back to the sweet spot he talked about. The self-awareness of where he is, his contract, his position in the league. He doesn’t seem stressed about the situation in Chicago, the future. LaVine also takes the opportunity to show how his game has grown and how it applies in a winning situation. You can assume a handful of teams are watching.
“I’ve been through ups and downs with that,” LaVine said. “I’ve had some really good, good games and years. I’ve had a few times where I had some turnovers and bad plays. And I think that’s all about the experience of being in the NBA.
“I’m in a good place and understand what the game means to me at that moment and how I can try to contribute to the win.”
