NBA: Identifying the best offensive player at each position in 2022

Small forward: Zach LaVine, Chicago Bulls

Remember, I’m using Basketball Reference’s play-by-play tracker to decide what positions players are playing. Players like LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Giannis Antetokounmpo are obviously better than Zach LaVine, but they aren’t playing at the small forward position like LaVine has, a position in which he has been absolutely thriving.

LaVine is one of the most underrated players in the NBA right now. He is now heavily into his third straight season averaging at least 25 PPG and is putting up 26.3 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 4.2 assists a night for the Bulls, who have the best record in the East after 35 games.

LaVine also has a shooting split of 49.7/42.0/85.7 which is a fantastic line for a small forward. His dynamite athleticism and quick shooting stroke are a big reason why the Bulls lead the league in transition points per possession and have the best team 3-point shooting percentage (38.5%).

It’s time we started thinking of LaVine as one of the game’s top scorers and should pray that no more serious injuries befall him. If he stays with the Bulls he could go down as their greatest ever scorer not named Michael Jordan.