SG | 6-5, 189 lbs
2015-16 season: 82 games, 33 starts, 28 MPG, 14 PPG, 3.1 APG, 2.8 RPG, 45.2 FG%, 38.9 3P%, 79.3 FT%
He can dunk. We know that. But Zach LaVine is much more than that and he showed it during his second season in the league. And what a second season it was.
LaVine entered the season as the starting shooting guard. Then he was the backup point guard. Then he was the starting shooting guard again.
And with that, LaVine improved on pretty much everything in his second season, including points per game, field-goal percentage and 3-point percentage. While the Wolves aren’t a great 3-point shooting team, LaVine took a huge step and shot nearly 40 percent from deep on four attempts per game. He also showed the ability to take guys off the dribble and get to the hole.
He has all of the tools defensively to be very good. It’s just about not drifting and being disciplined. Effort is never an issue with him.
We’ll learn a lot about LaVine’s ceiling when Tom Thibodeau, a coach who gets the most out of his players, works with him.
He’s won two Slam Dunk titles and won the Rising Stars MVP, but for fans who watch LaVine more than one weekend a year, they know there’s much more to his game. And much more he can add to it which has to be uber promising for Timberwolves’ fans.
3.) March 16 at Memphis Grizzlies
In this 114-108 road win over the Grizzlies, LaVine was Minnesota’s main man offensively, finishing with 28 points to go with three rebounds and an assist. LaVine shot 11-for-19 from the field and 6-for-10 from the 3-point line. Oddly enough, he didn’t attempt a free throw in 40 minutes and 33 seconds of play.
2.) March 25 at Washington Wizards
LaVine was cold-blooded in this game, hitting shot after shot to force an overtime and a double-overtime. The Wolves won 132-129 behind 25 points, four assists and two steals from LaVine in 44 minutes and 33 seconds. LaVine shot an efficient 10-for-17 from the field and 5-for-9 from the 3-point line. Again, he did not attempt a single free throw.
1.) Jan. 27 vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
The former UCLA star’s best game came in a 126-123 home loss to the Thunder. LaVine finished with 35 points off the bench in just 29 minutes and 26 seconds. He shot 14-for-17 from the field, 5-for-8 from the 3-point line and 2-for-5 from the free-throw line. He also added two rebounds, one assist and one steal.
LaVine is long and lanky. He needs to get stronger, but a lot of that will come naturally since he’s only 21 years old. LaVine shot a career-high 38.9 percent from deep last season and it would be smart to keep working on his 3-point shot. He said he wanted to win both the Slam Dunk Contest and the 3-Point Contest. He wasn’t kidding.
Defensively, he’ll have to improve, but a lot of that will happen when camp starts and he starts learning Thibodeau’s schemes.
The one things fans should never worry about is LaVine’s work ethic. The dude’s constantly in the gym, looking to get better. That’s not going to change anytime soon.
LaVine became a dangerous threat running aside Ricky Rubio last season. His stretch at point guard helped him immensely with decision making, but it was clear he felt more comfortable at the shooting guard position. We’ll see if LaVine is a starter or not next season, but no matter what he’ll be a player the Wolves will depend on offensively – whether it’s as a starter or a spark of the bench.
“You know, at such a young age, I feel like I’m on the right path. Just try to keep getting better and better and keep accomplishing things that are instilled in me and my goals,” – Zach LaVine in Toronto at All-Star Weekend.
