Zach LaVine hopes his load management days are behind him

Barring any injuries, Zach intends to play in every remaining game on the Bulls’ schedule this season.

© Kevin Sousa-USA TODAY Sports

Zach LaVine knows how important his presence on the floor is for the Chicago Bulls' playoff hopes this season. After missing several games early due to injury and load management, LaVine is looking forward to a healthy campaign, which may spell the difference between Chicago turning things around or falling short of the postseason.

LaVine has already shown glimpses of his All-Star caliber play this season, scoring 20-plus points in 12 of the team's last 15 games. The Bulls will need more consistent production if they want to compete for a playoff spot in the stacked Eastern Conference. The Bulls have high hopes for LaVine this season.

Strong December start

After undergoing knee surgery in the offseason to address an issue that bothered him towards the tail end of last season, LaVine admitted to not being himself in training camp and the preseason as he worked his way back to full strength. That's why the Bulls took a cautious approach with him early on, limiting his minutes in some games and resting him altogether in others.

But LaVine is now fully healthy and ready to carry the load for Chicago. He has started off December strong, averaging 25.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 2.5 steals in five games, including a 41-point explosion in a loss to the Sacramento Kings.

"It wasn't perfect coming back, obviously. But I feel really good right now," LaVine said. "Getting some rhythm back, getting my legs under me. Shot's feeling good. I had a little 20-point streak going on."

Flight 8 has been cleared for takeoff ✈️@DunkinDonuts Dunk of the Week: pic.twitter.com/EzDoKk5u13

— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) November 29, 2022

Getting the rhythm back

Many NBA players talk about "rhythm" during the season, and it's easy to see why. When a player is in rhythm, they can make shots from all over the court, find open teammates for easy baskets, and play confidently. That's exactly what LaVine has been doing lately — getting into that rhythm that has made him one of the most dangerous scorers in the Association.

"It's just the whole game, how your body feels," LaVine said. "I'm a rhythm player, always have been. And getting in that rhythm, that timing, it's something big."

Zach getting warm 🐰 pic.twitter.com/408tKXSrQ8

— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) November 29, 2022