Who is the team’s No. 1?
Billy Donovan must figure out who his go-to guy will be, especially down the stretch in close games. Zach LaVine appears to be the top candidate for this role. he is a gifted scorer and is a very athletic guard who can score from anywhere on the floor and is difficult to defend.
LaVine should be given every opportunity to be the Bulls’ main option in clutch situations. Last season Lavine posted career highs with 25.5 points and 4.8 rebounds. He also shot 80 percent from the charity stripe and 38 percent from downtown.
LaVine possesses the ability to take opponents off the dribble with his quick first step as he often keeps defenders on their heels. He is a tough player who finishes well at the rim as he draws contact getting to the foul line with ease. He runs very well on the fast break and finishes plays with aggression and authority.
LaVine also excels in high pick and roll situations where he can get to the basket if defenders lag. He can also stop on a dime and shoot his jump shot. Lauri Markkanen is another player the Bulls could consider as a “go-to guy.” Markkanen might not possess the natural scoring ability Lavine has but possesses a rare skill set for a 7-footer with his ball-handling skills and 3-point shooting. Markannen’s numbers regressed as his scoring and rebound totals dropped to 14.7 and 6.3 from 18.7 and 9.0.
Boylen’s failure to put Markkanen in a position to take advantage of his unique skill set and continue his development hindered him and was largely the reason for his decrease in production. Opposing defenses will have to deal with trying to slow Lavine which should give Markkanen more chances to score with better looks at the basket. Even though he is a high-volume 3-point shooter, look for Donovan to utilize him more in the low post especially when he is matched up against smaller defenders.