Bulls Head Coach Reveals What Team Needs From Zach LaVine

“He took his shots when they were there. What was encouraging on the threes, there was no hesitation; he just went up and shot it. He got off to a great start, shot unbelievable from three.”

With the Bulls’ desire to play at a higher tempo than season’s past, there will likely be more shot attempts. While that elicits thoughts of players racing up and down the court, speeding up the game also requires a certain mentality. As Donovan notes, players need to be decisive, not hesitant.

“He can get on a run. He can go 0-for-4 and then come back and make 6-for-6, so I never worry (if he’s missing). I thought he was really decisive, and when he had daylight and a crack he shot it. We need him to do that.”

Perhaps that’s been Donovan’s biggest gripe with LaVine. His inconsistency at the other end can be problematic but defense isn’t his forte and the Bulls knew that when they got him.

Scoring is what LaVine is known for. Unfortunately for LaVine, for all of his athleticism and touch, he pounded the air out of the ball. This slowed down the offense, draining the shot clock, putting his team’s in more compromising situations.

Against the Memphis Grizzlies, LaVine was cobra-like with his quickness and precision. Nobody is expecting him to shoot 75 percent from the field or 100 percent from three every game. He can carry over the way he thought the game though.

Doing so may not mean he remains with the Bulls, who are going younger. However, his potential metamorphosis could lead to other teams being more inclined to trade for him.

“When he’s got a head of steam, his athletic ability and his ability to shoot the ball and put it on the floor, he’s really hard to guard,” Donovan says.