Throughout the history of the league, a lot of factors have gone into whether or not a player makes the NBA All-Star team. Sometimes a player suffers from an overload of talent at his position. Every year there has to be a snub and this year there were just too many guys like him playing well. In other seasons, a player may be putting up great individual numbers on a team with a dismal record. If it’s a close call between two guys for the last spot on the roster, the player on the better team will get the nod.
Last season, when the All-Star selections were announced there were several protests from fans about players they felt had been robbed. One of the omissions being loudly decried was Zach LaVine. The high flyer was having his best season as a pro and made a reasonable case to be the first Chicago Bull since Michael Jordan to play in an All-Star game hosted by the Windy City.
This year LaVine has put more pressure on fans and media members alike as they cast their All-Star ballots. After having a breakout campaign last year, he’s currently having the best season of his career. Snubbing LaVine from this year’s All-Star game would be as unfair as Lucy stopping Charlie Brown from kicking the football. The two-time slam dunk champion deserves to be a first-time All-Star. Here’s why.
Chicago Bulls</a> has publicly campaigned to be named a first-time All-Star this season. He deserves it.</p>
<p>Throughout the history of the league, a lot of factors have gone into whether or not a player makes the NBA All-Star team. Sometimes a player suffers from an overload of talent at his position. Every year there has to be a snub and this year there were just too many guys like him playing well. In other seasons, a player may be putting up great individual numbers on a team with a dismal record. If it’s a close call between two guys for the last spot on the roster, the player on the better team will get the nod.</p>
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<h2>Zach LaVine deserves to be a first-time All-Star for the Chicago Bulls</h2>
<p>Last season, when the All-Star selections were announced there were several protests from fans about players they felt had been robbed. One of the omissions being loudly decried was Zach LaVine. The high flyer was having his best season as a pro and made a reasonable case to be the first Chicago Bull since Michael Jordan to play in an All-Star game hosted by the Windy City.</p>
<p>This year LaVine has put more pressure on fans and media members alike as they cast their All-Star ballots. After having a breakout campaign last year, he’s currently having the best season of his career. Snubbing LaVine from this year’s All-Star game would be as unfair as Lucy stopping Charlie Brown from kicking the football. The two-time slam dunk champion deserves to be a first-time All-Star. Here’s why.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/01/30/zach-lavine-chicago-bulls-first-star/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Best play-making of his career </a>
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<img class="size-full wp-image-391895" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/01/30/zach-lavine-chicago-bulls-first-star/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1067,w_1600/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1194003446.jpeg" alt="" width="1600" height="1067" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1194003446.jpeg 1600w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1194003446-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px"><p class="wp-caption-text">Chicago Bulls, Zach LaVine (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)</p>
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<h2>Best play-making of Zach LaVine’s career</h2>
<p>Zach LaVine is averaging the highest assists per game of his career. A few short years ago, this would be much more celebrated than it is now. In recent seasons, we’ve seen all-time highs in individual usage rates result in gaudy individual stats. Whereas before, it was rare for a player to average 20 points while also averaging double-digit assists, the feat only receives a mild golf clap from today’s fans.</p>
<p>However, LaVine’s improved play-making should not be overlooked. As a shooting guard expected to carry the bulk of the scoring load, 5.3 assists per contest are impressive. When the team’s best scorer gets a bucket for a teammate more than five times a night, it encourages a culture of unselfishness. Sharing the basketball has become Chicago’s MO this season. This is evident in the fact that there are six Bulls averaging double-digit points this season.</p>
<p>In last week’s road win against the Charlotte Hornets, LaVine had nine assists and the Bulls had 33 assists as a team. That type of ball movement will eventually become second nature and lead to more wins. LaVine is Chicago’s marquee player and he’s leading by example. Those casting their All-Star ballots should do the right thing and take notice.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/01/30/zach-lavine-chicago-bulls-first-star/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Scoring </a>
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<img class="size-full wp-image-382839" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/01/30/zach-lavine-chicago-bulls-first-star/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2133,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2016%2F04%2F1197860167.jpeg" alt="NBA Power Rankings Chicago Bulls Zach LaVine" width="3200" height="2133" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2016/04/1197860167.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2016/04/1197860167-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><p class="wp-caption-text">Chicago Bulls, Zach LaVine Copyright 2020 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)</p>
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<h2>Scoring</h2>
<p>Zach LaVine is shooting 50.2 percent from the field while averaging 27.0 points per game. If this were an arcade version of “NBA Jam” the announcer would be screaming “He’s on fire!”</p>
<p>Not only is LaVine scoring a lot of points, but he’s also doing it efficiently. As much as his increased assists numbers have impacted his teammates’ scoring, so has his improved shot selection. If a player is constantly taking bad shots, it can have a deflating effect on the team’s offense. Zach has wisely avoided bad looks and found ways to put the ball in the basket without taking away from the team’s overall game plan.</p>
<p>His 33-point explosion in an MLK day win against the Houston Rockets serves as an example of LaVine’s improvement this season. Last year, it was not uncommon for Lavine to put up large numbers in a losing effort. During the game against Houston, the Bulls were able to overcome a fourth-quarter comeback attempt and hang on for the five-point win.</p>
<p>The object of the game is still to put the ball in the basket. Zach LaVine is doing this at a high clip and helping the Bulls win games in the process.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/01/30/zach-lavine-chicago-bulls-first-star/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Rising star </a>
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