Man, I’m Excited About Lonzo Ball’s Fit with Zach LaVine (And Other Bulls Bullets)

I followed up two brutal Week 1 fantasy losses with two blow-out fantasy wins.

In other words, I’M BACK, BABY!

I also desperately need basketball to return so my happiness for the week does not fully depend on the outcome of my imaginary football games. For once, I’d rather have it depend on the Bulls.

•   Six players may have finished ahead of Zach LaVine in scoring last season, but none of those six did it as efficiently. LaVine averaged 27.4 points behind a 50.7 field goal percentage and a 41.9 percent clip from downtown. His 60.0 percent effective field goal percentage ranked in the 90th percentile, as his three-level scoring ability proved to finally be among the league elites. It was a breakout performance that Chicago Bulls fans will not soon forget, but it was also one that will surely be difficult to replicate. Shooting that efficiently from nearly every spot on the floor is about as normal as a flying turtle (Michael: With the right drugs, even that is pretty common). While LaVine should go on to achieve greater success, I don’t think anyone would be shocked if this happened to be the most efficient scoring season of his career. But I suppose if we were looking for him to somehow build on such a stunning performance, this would be the year.

•   LaVine is not only about to play on the most talented roster of his career but he is set to play alongside arguably a perfect on-paper fit. Lonzo Ball was on the Bulls’ radar for a reason. The refreshed front office might do a pretty damn good job at keeping information close to the vest, but the place for Ball on this roster was simply too obvious to hide. While he may not be the most traditional halfcourt playmaker, he is a ball mover who pushes the pace in transition and keeps the offense’s wheels in motion. Combine that with his still improving and lengthy defensive disruption, and he feels like the long-awaited complement to Zach LaVine. He can take practically all the little things off of LaVine’s plate, providing him an opportunity to reserve his energy for what he does best: Getting buckets with the best of them.

•   I truly believe that Ball’s stat line this season may not be what some expect, but I also believe that is not a strong reflection of how he makes this team better. As I said, he will do the little things that help this team on both ends of the floor. Last season he may have averaged only 14.6 points, 5.7 assists, and 4.7 rebounds (well below his career-high in both assists and rebounds), but the case should be made it was by far his most impactful year thus far. According to Cleaning the Glass, he carried a +5.5 on/off differential, which ranked in the league’s 82nd percentile (For note: His second-best on/off differential came during his rookie season when his +2.5 ranked in the 68th percentile). It was likely this productive play that made Arturas Karnisovas only that much keener on making him a key part of this new era. Ball is just 23-years-old, and the signs of a true winning player are right in front of us.

•   The only thing Ball can’t do is be a go-to secondary scorer. While his presence will allow LaVine to focus even more on that part of his game, the All-Star still can’t do it on his own. But that is what makes the DeMar DeRozan addition all the more understandable. Removing the transactional and contractual logistics, DeRozan does check the box’s Ball can’t. He is the better half-court playmaker, and he also provides the secondary ISO scoring ability that will draw defensive attention away from LaVine. Anyway, I talked more about that specific combination last week, so give that a read if you haven’t already (or don’t … you’re an adult who can make your own decisions).

•   Lowkey, I still think people sleep on just how good of a shooter LaVine has become.

•   This is very true. Harrison Barnes may not be the flashiest name, but that is a winning player who reliably gets it done on both ends of the floor. Williams even remotely replicating what Barnes can do this early in his career would be a massive W for the organization.

•   HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO A BEAST.

•   “Ruh Ro, Philly” – Scooby-Doo – Me

•   Is the Bears’ defense back?

•   Weird, people are saying the same thing about me.

•   The future!

written by

Elias Schuster is the Lead Bulls Writer at Bleacher Nation. You can follow him on Twitter @Schuster_Elias.

more bulls news

Will All the Zach LaVine Trade Smoke Eventually Lead to a Fire?

No, I don't think the Chicago Bulls are about to acquire Damian Lillard. Whether or not the recent report about the franchise sniffing around the Lillard sweepstakes is accurate, the chance of this front office pulling off a trade is...

The Lillard Stuff, Training Camp Storylines, Bulls Take the Diamond, and Other Bulls Bullets

It's taking everything in me not to dig into our database and delete the words I wrote about being excited for the Chicago Bears season. I expressed genuine optimism in what the Monsters in the Midway could accomplish. Aside from...

Buddy Hield Reportedly Working With Indiana Pacers to Find Potential Trade

The Indiana Pacers could finally look to move one of their top veteran assets. According to The Athletic's Shams Charania, Buddy Hield and the Pacers have begun talks about a potential trade after failed extension talks. "Hield is open to...

NBA Could See “Massive Talents” Hit Trade Market Over the Next Year

Much like my opinion on dates (are they a fun sweet fruit or a disgusting mushy blob!?), the NBA trade market is ever-changing. One month it may feel dry as a bone. The next month a sudden oasis featuring disgruntled...

REPORT: Chicago Bulls Seen as “Wildcard” Team for Damian Lillard

While Damian Lillard hopes to bask in the sun this winter, one shocking report suggests he could be playing dibs on a snowy sidestreet. According to Kyle Neubeck of PHLY Sixers, sources have told him the Chicago Bulls are the...

From Clutchest to Clutch-less, Dreaming About Damian Lillard, and Other Bulls Bullets

The TikTok algorithm is more sensitive than a 10-year-old only child. I let an NFL Mic'd Up video play for more than 20 seconds last night and now my feed is easily 80 percent Mic'd Up sports moments. Thank goodness...

Chicago Bulls Key Dates That Should Go On Your Calendar

While we're still over a month away from opening night, the NBA season will really kick into high gear in just a couple of short weeks. With that in mind, I thought it wouldn't hurt to go over some of...

Why Are the Chicago Bulls Going to Nashville for Training Camp?

Zach LaVine is taking his talents to South Beach ... Tennessee. And the rest of the team is following him! In what was a shocking announcement, the Chicago Bulls shared earlier this month that they would hold nearly their first...

Spicing Up the Offense, Will Ayo Surprise Us? Philly Adds a Wing, and Other Bulls Bullets

Days until Media Day: 13 Day until first preseason game: 19 Days until opening night: 36 Days until I lose my mind: 0 In Monday morning's bullets/notes, we briefly discussed the Chicago Bulls' need for more offensive creativity. More specifically,...

Chicago Bulls Stock Market Watch: The Role Players and the Rest

The bell is ringing, which means it's time for another edition of the Chicago Bulls Stock Market Watch! In case you missed it last week, our first edition featured the front office and "Big 3." The goal today is to...

Latest News

49ers 30, Giants 12: San Francisco Keeps on Humming

The San Francisco 49ers were — arguably — a quarterback away from winning the NFC last season. If Brock Purdy had not gone down with a torn UCL in the NFC title game, they may have won a Super Bowl...

Enhanced Box Score: Pirates 8, Cubs 6 – September 21, 2023

Not content with "frustrating" and "disappointing," the Cubs tonight went for "cruel." By which I mean it was cruel to tease us with SO MANY moments that could have turned the game, to tease us by giving up tack-on runs...

Cam Akers Fantasy Week 3: Projections vs. Chargers, Points and Stats, Start or Sit

Minnesota Vikings running back Cam Akers will be up against the team with last season's 28th-ranked rushing defense, the Los Angeles Chargers (145.8 yards conceded per game), in Week 3 -- beginning at 1:00 PM ET on Sunday.Should Akers be...

Brandon Aiyuk Will Not Play in Tonight’s 49ers vs. Giants Game

The San Francisco 49ers will be without wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk tonight when they host the New York Giants in the Week 3 lid-lifter. https://twitter.com/AdamSchefter/status/1704957557305921939?s=20 Aiyuk has been dealing with a shoulder injury this week. 49ers GM John Lynch said this...

Luke Getsy and Justin Fields Hug it Out After Bears OC Clears the Air

Instead of diving into the laundry list of new shows I've been ignoring, I've been thinking about running it back and watching Entourage. There is something about tough times that nudges you back into comfort shows and movies. I offer...

Keeping Hope Alive, But We Might Not See Adbert Alzolay Again This Season (UPDATE)

If he's throwing at least, I'll keep some hope alive that Chicago Cubs closer Adbert Alzolay could make it back before the end of the team's season, regular or otherwise. But the latest from Bruce Levine sounds less than optimistic...

Trevon Diggs Suffers Torn ACL in Practice; Will Miss the Rest of the Season

This afternoon, it was a tough break for the Dallas Cowboys as they learned that Pro-Bowl cornerback Trevon Diggs suffered a torn ACL in practice today. According to multiple reports, an MRI has already confirmed that diagnosis. Diggs will miss...

Cubs vs Pirates: Lineups, Pitching Matchup, Broadcast Info, Game Thread

Cubs Lineup — Is it a must-win game? I don't know. I guess not necessarily. But the Cubs should really win a series against an eliminated Pirates squad in late September if they have any designs on playing meaningful October...

Bryce Young Out Sunday vs Seahawks, Which Means … It’s Andy Dalton Time!

Earlier today, the Panthers announced that Bryce Young (ankle) won't be playing this Sunday in Seattle against the Seahawks. So get ready for a return of The Andy Dalton Experience! https://twitter.com/AdamSchefter/status/1704939836056973794?s=20 In all honesty, it probably won't make a huge...

Chicago Bears Injury Report: Darnell Mooney, Eddie Jackson, and Lucas Patrick Updates

Playing the Kansas City Chiefs is an all-encompassing affair. With that in mind, beating the defending Super Bowl champions requires an all-hands-on-deck kind of effort. That might be difficult after seeing Thursday's injury report. https://twitter.com/BearsPR/status/1704937792831209881 There are a bunch of...

more bulls news