When the Bulls brought shooting guard Zach LaVine over from the Minnesota Timberwolves they knew he was special. After cycling through lackluster teams the Bulls finally got smart and decided to build around him. While the outcome is currently ongoing there’s one thing that certainly can’t be denied. Zach LaVine can score at a high level. He can score so much so that in just his fifth season with the team he moved into 4th place on the Bull’s all-time 3 pointers made. He surpassed the greatest player to ever play the game in Michael Jordan.
Zach LaVine has officially passed Michael Jordan for 4th most three-pointers made in franchise history! pic.twitter.com/AWT3rMQ195
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) October 26, 2021
Zach doesn’t appear to be slowing down by any means. Overall, LaVine has made 558 three-pointers in his time with the Bulls. He has appeared in 209 games for this team averaging 2.67 threes per game. If LaVine stays on that pace for the remainder of this season he will be sitting in 3rd place and just barely be behind Ben Gordon in 2nd. If LaVine averages above that pace he will be sitting in 2nd place at the season’s end. With LaVine likely getting the max extension at the end of the year everyone should fully expect him to be the Bull’s all-time leader when all is said and done.
Zach LaVine is a lethal scorer
If you take a look at LaVine’s overall career he has shot 38.6% from three. But if you look at his career progression he has gotten better every season when shooting the three. Last season LaVine shot 41.9% from three and this year through four games he is shooting 44.4%. His shot is just so smooth and almost looks effortless.
With this shot, Zach LaVine passed Michael Jordan for 4th most 3-pointers made in Bulls history 🔥 pic.twitter.com/NgB62VnxWO
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) October 26, 2021
This man has gone from shooting 34.1% from three his first year to 44.4%. He is improving his game every single day and it’s showing. LaVine has played the least amount of games on the all-time list yet still sits at #4. If he gets hot this year he could be sitting in second place after just 286 regular-season games with the Bulls. That stat right there would just show how good of a shooter LaVine is. The good news for LaVine is this year he doesn’t have to go at it alone.
The core around LaVine will only make him better
There was a lot of speculation around the league about how the Bull’s new lineup wouldn’t work with one another. After playing hero ball for the majority of his career, LaVine would have to give up the reins and let others take control. Many people said it couldn’t be done.
Well after 4 games it’s already looking like that is not an issue for LaVine. In fact, his teammates are only making him better. LaVine is shooting better and being set up by his teammates instead of having to do the work himself. Being surrounded by other shooters gives LaVine more space to do what he does best. The defensive game plan can’t always be to shutdown LaVine anymore. This is why I can likely see LaVine moving to the #2 spot on the all-time three-pointers made list. He’s going to have a lot more opportunities than he has in the past 4 seasons. If he can score that much surrounded by subpar talent he is only going to be better with this squad. Not to mention this team allows him to accomplish things he’s never done before.
NEVER A DOUBT! ZACH LAVINE HAS WON 4 GAMES IN A ROW FOR THE FIRST TIME!
— Jason Patt (@Bulls_Jay) October 26, 2021
Being surrounded by such a solid team is something LaVine has never experienced. This season he will get a chance to play with other top-tier players and he certainly won’t squander that.
LaVine likely won’t focus on accolades
While we will certainly keep an eye on LaVine’s place in the Bull’s all-time lists it’s doubtful that LaVine will. He’s made it clear this season that he is focused on winning and getting to the playoffs. In fact, LaVine’s teammates have made it clear that there’s no ego that will get in the way when it comes to LaVine.
DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine are on the same page, and we're all for it pic.twitter.com/oO9kiKlGVa
— Bulls Nation (@BullsNationCP) October 24, 2021
LaVine is on pace to become an all-time great Chicago Bull. If he can bring this team to the playoffs and make some noise he will only cement that. Expect the Bulls to do whatever it takes come season’s end to keep him. The Bulls made it clear this offseason who they want to build this team around. With another likely successful season under his belt, the Bulls will ensure they can keep him around. With another season next year, LaVine would likely find himself at number 1 in the Bull’s all-time three-point leaders list. While we won’t focus on that now we will certainly be keeping an eye on how LaVine climbs up this list.
