Zach LaVine is making his All-Star push.
In the Bulls’ past 33 contests, LaVine is averaging 28 points per game on 45.6-40.4-83.5 shooting splits, with historic performances against Charlotte (49 points, 13 3-pointers), Cleveland (44 points, 10 rebounds, eight assists; 42 points, 21 in the fourth quarter) and more. His current stat line of 25.2 points per game on 44.3% shooting, 38.8% from 3-point range and 19.7 field goal attempts per has only been achieved by once over a full season in Bulls franchise history — I’ll let you guess who did it.
He's been sensational and has won the Bulls a handful of games near single-handedly. But will it all culminate in an appearance in his first career All-Star nod? That question looms over Chicago with the city set to host All-Star weekend for the first time since 1988.
We already know LaVine won’t be a starter — that much was decided on Jan. 23, when the East’s top five of Kemba Walker, Trae Young, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Pascal Siakam and Joel Embiid was announced. With the rest of the rosters set to be filled out this coming Thursday (Jan. 30), let’s take a realistic look at how LaVine stacks up against a crowded pool of candidates for seven reserve spots (which coaches will ultimately vote on):
The Locks
The guys with pretty much no chance of being excluded from the team. These are worth getting out of the way, so as to pare the competition down to who LaVine supporters should focus their attention on, and also offer a realistic look at how many spots are truly — albeit unofficially — up for grabs:
Ben Simmons, G: Simmons could have easily cracked the starting lineup, and I don’t think anyone would have complained. 16-8-8. Fifth in assists per game. League-leader in steals per game. And the Sixers are 6-3 since Joel Embiid went down in early January (30-17 overall), with wins over the Celtics and Lakers.
Khris Middleton, G: The Bucks are building an argument as one of the best regular season teams of all time with an unprecedented +12.6 point differential and +12.1 net rating. Middleton, averaging 19.4 points and 5.8 rebounds on nearly 50-40-90 splits (49.8-41.9-89.1) is far and away their second best player, and allows them to not just survive, but continue to flourish in non-Giannis minutes. Milwaukee needs two in there, and he’s their Robin.
Jimmy Butler, F: Not Butler’s best shooting season, but he brings All-Defense level intensity every night, is posting 20-7-6 averages and is the unquestioned leader of a Miami Heat team that has surged to a 32-14 record, second in the East. Book it.
Bam Adebayo, F/C: Adebayo has blossomed into a uniquely skilled two-way player this season — he’s currently second among centers in assists per game (4.8) and third in steals (1.1), while also averaging a double-double and 1.1 blocks per contest. He’s a wrecking ball down low and on the perimeter. The numbers are outstanding, yet still don’t do him justice.
The Favorites
With four of seven spots gone before you can say ‘NBA Stats’ we move on to guys that seem likely to nab a spot, but aren’t ‘stake-my-life-on-it’ level locks.
Domantas Sabonis, F/C: If you subscribe to the belief that the great and/or overachieving teams of the league need at least one selection, the Pacers, who are currently 30-17 without Victor Oladipo, certainly qualify. And Sabonis has been their best player; an offensive hub (18.1 ppg, 4.6 ast) and menace on the glass (12.8 reb) of a different era. He should almost certainly be a shoo-in.
Jayson Tatum, F: If Boston (30-15) is to get two All-Stars, Tatum’s case feels more compelling than Jaylen Brown’s. Averages of 21.5 points, 6.9 rebounds and 1.4 steals on star volume (and respectable enough efficiency) pass the sniff test when considering the Celtics’ net rating plummets from +11.1 (112.9 ORtg; 101.8 DRtg) to -1.2 (106.3 ORtg; 107.5 DRtg) when he sits.
The Rest
Here’s where LaVine lies, and the competition remains stiff.
Kyle Lowry, G: The defending champion Raptors have hardly skipped a beat since losing Kawhi Leonard and Lowry is among the biggest reasons why. He's playing 37 minutes per game, ranks second on his team in scoring and is the unquestioned leader of a 32-14 squad that would only have one All-Star if he doesn’t make it. It hasn’t been his most efficient shooting season, but his two-way ability and all-around game (7.3 ast, 4.5 reb, 1.2 stl per) set him apart.
Malcolm Brogdon, G: Brogdon is a cool 17 and 7 every night, and a staple to that aforementioned, pleasant-surprise Pacers team. He’s a winning basketball player and is absolutely deserving (as all of these people are, frankly), but with just 33 games played this season, he’s probably a half-step below Lowry, Beal and LaVine.
Bradley Beal, G: Talk about an All-Star push — Beal is averaging 35.8 points and 6.3 assists per game on 59.6% shooting over his last four games, bringing his season averages up to 28.1 points and 6.3 assists on 45.4-31.4-84 splits. Staggering numbers. He’s on a ‘bad team’ (the Wizards are 15-30) but so is LaVine. Beal’s two prior All-Star appearances boost his cache, as well.
Derrick Rose, G: Great story. But at 26.6 minutes per game and on a 17-31 team, he simply doesn’t carry the load or impact winning like some of these guys.
Jaylen Brown, G: He’s been tremendous this season, but 41.9% shooting in January drops him a touch below Tatum as the Celtics’ No. 2. They’re probably not getting three.
Kyrie Irving/Spencer Dinwiddie, G: On here as a formality. Irving has played just 17 games this season, and despite gaudy scoring numbers, coaches likely won’t show out for him the way fans did. Dinwiddie has tapered off since a torrid start to the season — he’d be a good story, but doesn’t stack up.
Andre Drummond, C: Another formality. Not quite there.
The Verdict
Assuming six of the seven spots are filled by the above locks and favorites, that leaves LaVine to contend for one opening with ‘the rest.’ And of ‘the rest’ the most compelling cases are certainly Lowry, Beal and Brogdon. Here’s how all compare statistically:
Lowry: 1,296 minutes (37 per); 20 points, 7.3 assists, 4.5 rebounds, 1.2 steals; 40.9% FG, 34.3% 3P; 23.1% usage rate; 4.5 win shares
Beal: 1,347 minutes (35.4 per); 28.1 points, 6.3 assists, 4.5 rebounds, 1 steals; 45.4% FG, 31.4% 3P; 32.6% usage rate; 2.9 win shares
Brogdon: 994 minutes (30.1 per); 17.1 points, 7.3 assists, 4.3 rebounds, 0.7 steals; 43.9% FG, 34.3% 3P; 26.4% usage rate; 2.7 win shares
LaVine: 1,677 minutes (34.2 per); 25.2 points, 3.9 assists, 4.9 rebounds, 1.4 steals; 44.3% FG, 38.8% 3P; 31.7% usage rate; 3.8 win shares
Lowry’s case stands out as someone carrying a heavy load on both ends of the floor for a contending team. Brogdon’s minutes disparity looms large. LaVine and Beal’s high usages (LaVine is second in the league in total minutes) and prolific scoring are notable. And in spite of the Bulls’ 19-30 record, it’s hard to say LaVine hasn’t impacted winning — he’s eighth among qualified players in the NBA in fourth quarter scoring (7.1 points per) and fifth in fourth quarter usage (35.7%) without a drop in efficiency shooting the ball.
Still, if I’m being objective (and predictive), Lowry is the call — he profiles simliarly to Butler as a proven player leading a great team with solid enough stats. LaVine vs. Beal is a toss-up, with the hometown advantage working in LaVine’s favor and reputation working in Beal’s. From here, though, the reserves are for the coaches to determine.
The Loophole
If LaVine doesn’t get in straight up (probable, though not definitive), there is always a chance he could squeak in via injury replacement. If any selected players are unable to participate, NBA commissioner Adam Silver selects their understudy.
Tatum is currently batting a groin ailment — he’s missed the Celtics’ last two games and is doubtful for their impending matchup with Miami — but doesn’t yet seem in danger of sitting through the All-Star break. Embiid (torn ligament in left hand) has missed the Sixers’ last nine games, but is now listed as questionable on the team’s injury report, a sign that he is near a return. (That's not to root for anyone's harm, just an update.)
So, while LaVine’s chances at his first All-Star berth are more realistic than some might think, it will still be an uphill battle. Bulls fans can only hope opposing teams’ head coaches are in the mood for a bit of home-cooking this February.
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January 28, 2020 at 11:06PM
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