LaVine thinks better days for Chicago Bulls could arrive soon
Two games into the regular season, the Chicago Bulls could use a better storyline than practice-punch recap or rookie Lauri Markkanen's rebounding breakdown.
So Zach LaVine stepped forward Monday to remind fans that things could get better relatively soon.
LaVine is working out but still recovering from a torn ACL in his left knee suffered last Feb. 3.
"I should be doing contact (in practice) really soon," he said at the Advocate Center. "It all depends on (team doctors). I'm pushing them as hard as I can, but at the end of the day we've still got to be careful. I feel great. I'm doing everything I was doing before. I'm pretty sure I can do contact, but we've got to stick to that schedule."
LaVine appears to be making great progress and has been doing basketball drills for a while. But doctors believe the 6-foot-7 swingman should wait the full nine months after surgery before returning to full practice.
"Probably in the next two weeks, I would say he'll start doing a little bit of contact," Bulls coach Fred Hoiberg said. "Probably three weeks, he'll be back to full contact if everything stays on schedule."
If all goes well, LaVine could make his Bulls debut sometime around Dec. 1. That's a short wait in the scheme of an NBA season, but time may pass slowly while the rebuilding Bulls putter along without three projected starters.
Hoiberg did say guard Kris Dunn (dislocated finger) practiced Monday and could play later this week. The Bulls visit Cleveland on Tuesday.
"I'm pushing as much as possible because I want to go play with my guys," LaVine said. "When that day comes and I'm able to get on the floor, it'll be a good day for everybody, because I'm waiting."
LaVine has been watching practices and running through dummy offense. The hope is, once he's healthy and cleared to play he should already be up to speed with Hoiberg's schemes. So far, LaVine likes what he has seen from the offense, which is designed to be fast-paced and 3-point intensive.
"I think it's great," he said. "With the team that we have and the system coach put in, we're going to get up a lot of 3s. When we're on, we're going to blow some teams out with those 3s. When we're off, as the last couple games have shown, it's going to be a struggle to score sometimes, but I think that's where I can come in and help."
LaVine, 22, has improved his stats in all three of his seasons in the NBA. At the time of his injury, he was averaging 18.9 points for Minnesota, while shooting 39 percent from 3-point range.
The deadline passed for LaVine to sign a contract extension, so he will be a restricted free agent next summer. There's no doubt both sides want to extend the relationship, especially since LaVine and Markkanen were the main pieces in the Jimmy Butler trade.
"I think it's fine," LaVine said of not signing an extension. "Obviously, I want to be here for a long time. And I feel the deal is going to get done."
There's no guarantee LaVine will ever turn the Bulls back into a playoff team. But after a rough start to the regular season, Hoiberg was able to think ahead to better times when the two-time slam-dunk champ is ready to play.
"He's got a skill set that you can do a lot with, starting with his athleticism," Hoiberg said. "He's the fastest guy on our team; really, one of the fastest guys in the league.
"His explosiveness, he's already gotten that back. And his ability to shoot the ball from anywhere on the floor puts another shooter, floor-spacer out there. So, yeah, he does make our team a lot better."
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Bulls scouting report
Bulls vs. Cleveland Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena, 6 p.m. Tuesday
TV: NBCSCH
Radio: WLS 890-AM
Outlook: The Cavaliers opened the season with quality wins over Boston and Milwaukee, then went off the rails in a 21-point home loss to Orlando on Saturday. Derrick Rose sat out that one with a sprained ankle and is not expected to play against the Bulls. Veteran Jose Calderon started at point guard against the Magic. The Bulls also may see a change in the starting lineup, since coach Tyronn Lue said ex-Bull Dwyane Wade approached him with an offer to come off the bench, allowing J.R. Smith to start at shooting guard. Somehow, the Bulls have owned the Cavaliers lately. Coach Fred Hoiberg is 7-1 against the Cavs, with 5 straight wins, and the Bulls even won at Cleveland during the preseason.
Next: Atlanta Hawks at the United Center, Thursday, 7 p.m.
- Mike McGraw