When the Bulls handed the All-Star guard a five-year, $215 million extension in July, there was heartfelt gratitude from LaVine but also a feeling of justification.
In LaVine’s mind, the max deal was earned, not gifted.
“I think it’s just a credit to my hard work,’’ LaVine said. “I think I’ve had the same work ethic and the same goals before the contract, after the contract.’’
That’s a great attitude, but it’s about to be tested.
LaVine never has flinched when discussing pressure. If anything, he has welcomed those situations as obstacles that needed to be overcome to get to where he wanted to go.