The Chicago Bulls aren’t exactly off to the start that fans hoped they would be to begin the 2018-19 NBA season. They’re 2-6 and have the second-worst defensive rating in the league. Despite the lack of success as a team, Zach LaVine is playing the best basketball of his career.
After signing a lucrative 4-year, $78 million contract with the Bulls in July, most Bulls fans (even those that were okay with the deal) were skeptical about LaVine’s value. His defense is lackluster and he’s not far removed from a major knee injury. Those are both bright red flags for Bulls fans – a community that loves defense and is mentally scarred by what knee injuries can do to a career.