There have been reports in recent years of tension between Bulls star Zach LaVine and head coach Billy Donovan, who often didn’t see eye to eye with one another, but the relationship between LaVine and Donovan this season is as good as it’s ever been, one Bulls player tells Joe Cowley of The Chicago Sun-Times.
As Cowley writes, LaVine seems happier and more willing to buy in to Donovan’s system so far this fall. His increased engagement has been evident on the defensive end, which has typically been his Achilles heel. While LaVine still isn’t a lock-down defender, his effort level has been higher on that side of the ball this season.
“I’m definitely trying,” LaVine said of his defense. “I know what I can do on that end, especially in isolation one-on-one, and just try and make it tough on them.”
“I really respect and admire what he’s doing because he’s trying to play on both ends of the floor and he’s giving everything he has on both ends,” Donovan said.
Here’s more from around the Central:
- The Bulls are just 5-7 so far this fall, but have picked up impressive road wins in Milwaukee, Memphis, and New York. Are they a little too talented to finish in the bottom 10 of the NBA standings and retain their protected 2025 first-round pick? Darnell Mayberry of The Athletic weighs that question, noting that a scenario in which the Bulls miss the playoffs but have their pick land in the 11-14 range would be a worst-case outcome.
- Pointing out it took the Pistons just 13 games to get to five wins this season after it required 44 games a year ago, Omari Sankofa II of The Detroit Free Press (subscription required) identifies Isaiah Stewart, Malik Beasley, and rookie Ron Holland as three players whose stock is up in the early going. While Cade Cunningham‘s shooting percentages (.456 FG%, .364 3PT%) are career highs, Sankofa has the former No. 1 overall pick in the “stock down” section of his article, observing that Cunningham needs to cut back on his turnovers (5.0 per game).
- David Aldridge of The Athletic considers whether the 13-0 Cavaliers are built for postseason success, while Grant Afseth of Sportskeeda takes a look at the role that Georges Niang, whom head coach Kenny Atkinson refers to as a crucial “connector,” plays in Cleveland’s game plan.
I am enjoying seeing the experts wrong when all they did was hype the Celtics and Knicks. Now they can watch the cavs be the best team in the east.
Are cavs making the finals?
So far so good on Lavine. I’m still on sold on him. He’s been playing this well because he wants to get out of here asap. I’ll give him credit though for actually been hooping on both ends. The bigger question for this team will be are they going to put a long term investment on a defensive backcourt in Josh Giddey/Coby White? Everyone knows Giddey is not even an average defender, teams target him routinely on the P&R and iso sets. I’m high on Julian Phillips in a year or two. I think Dalon Terry is more of a bench energy guy rather than a long term solution for the wing. I like what I see so far but let’s see how they are in January and if Lonzo’s injury is going to derail any trade deadline plans.
Ayo Dosunmu and Coby White is my preferred backcourt tandem. Ayo can do anything you ask of him. Giddey looks more like a small-ball 3 and bench threat to me. Good for attacking mismatches and giving you a bit of extra rebounding and length, but not meant for a full-time role. Just too inconsistent offensively to be a starter imo.
I have heard the Jrue Holliday comp for Ayo from most NBA/Bulls fans. I’m not sure if that’s entirely accurate. I can see why fans think that way though. I believe Ayo can be a Derrich White type player, he’ll be on the floor in crunch time due to his defensive abilities. Ego isn’t an issue with him. He’s been a great find by AKME. I will give them kudos on that one. However with most teams going small ball (OKC and others), do they need a bigger backcourt? I am hoping to see a little bit more aggressiveness from Patrick Williams as well. I’ve been a huge critic of his ability and offensive game. He needs to be a little bit more offensively involved, with cutting, attacking the boards, setting screens. Too many times he’s a statue out at times, it’s frustrating.
I still have them as a 33 win team. Hoping for less for obvious reasons lol but that’s being realistic as long as Vu/Lavine are both on this team.
Eon, I’ve seen your posts in here for a while, I enjoy reading your input and thoughts. I can sense you have genuine love for the game. Much respect. Are you a Cavs fan by any chance?
Yeah, I think Jrue is more of a ceiling for him, Derrick White is more of an expectation. Ayo does all the right things, whenever it’s needed. The win over the Knicks is a keystone in that. Didn’t do a ton of any one thing, but did everything he was asked to do well.
Getting Williams involved is a big deal, but right now between playing out of position (just f***ing stop playing him as a PF, he is not and has never been except in situational small-ball) and LaVine/White/Vuc ahead of him in the shot order, he’s just not given enough direction.
The only real worry with the pick is Reinsdorf pulling the levers. There are levers you can pull to make a team suck in short order, but if he pulls the “win now at all costs” lever or the “stand around doing nothing” lever, the Bulls will lose their pick.
Also yes, I am a Cavs fan. Grew up watching them, fell fully in love with the team when LeBron actually gave them direction. Still hold a lifelong grudge against Dan Gilbert that not even a championship has snuffed out xD
I get it. You guys had some killer teams in the 90’s if it wasn’t for Jordan lol. I always thought they would break thru in 94. Happy for you guys. Atkinson is a damn good coach and that roster looks elite.
That’s my thing with Donovan. Before the offseason, they decided to let Demar go to Kings, and kept saying Williams will be our starting 3. I have yet to seen it happen. Maybe it’s due to having a lack of a real 4 currently but it’s frustrating to see him play out of position. They did the same thing for Markannen/WCJ for years and now they’re thriving in their NATURAL positions. Completely clueless lol.
If they move him to the 3 after LaVine gets traded, that’s the real test. Imo the only reason he’s not the starter at the 3.
Agreed. I think it has A LOT to do with roster construction.
Almost entirely, yes. Buzelis and Phillips can play PF but it’s not their best position (although I expect Buzelis to grow into it), and Buzelis’ offense hasn’t translated yet. Phillips is also light for the job and is more of a finisher than an all-rounder like the Bulls would prefer for the spot. Outside of Williams, Jalen Smith is the best PF option on the roster, and he’s more of a 5, where the team also has minimal depth. Williams is basically the 4 by default because of the poor construction of the roster.
Evan Mobley’s increased aggressiveness and strength have unlocked his game. He get the ball and drives straight past most bigs to get to his spot, sometimes just jetting right around them with no resistance at all, while smaller defenders can’t really handle his length and strength. The hook shot and floater both make him tough to stop directly as well.