Slash & Splash | What makes Zach LaVine an All-Star?

Just how good is Zach LaVine now? He's quietly become one of the best scorers in the league, but was he a worthy All-Star in 2021? How he has become so effective on offense? What are his limitations there? And how good is his defense? This detailed film room analysis looks at the Bulls All-Star guard, incorporating data and stats to understand how good he might be.
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Twitter: @elgee35
Ben Taylor is the author of Thinking Basketball, a Nylon Calculus contributor, creator of the Backpicks Top 40 series & host of the Thinking Basketball podcast.
Stats courtesy:
www.pbpstats.com @bballport
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stats.nba.com
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Footage in this video is owned by the NBA and its partners. It is intended for critique and education.
Music by csus (instrumental)
#ThinkingBasketball

[@mrtspence]

Glad to see you posting more. The Bulls are absolutely must-watch basketball this year. Such an exciting team.

[@eaglefan1124]

Definitely one of my random night league pass teams for a great watch.

[@Vecancy]

agreed, overall the entire bulls team has some great play-making and facilitating going on with lavine, lonzo, derozan, vuc as well as caruso coming off of the bench

[@BruhWhyDidTheyChangeThis]

Love to see it. Someone get MJ out of retirement

[@lifeslemons5408]

Content depicting the archetype of scoring shooting guards like Beal, Mitchell, Booker and LaVine would be interesting. These players are especially interesting because of the unique situations they are in.

[@innerparty1]

The unique situation is that you can't win a title with these types. Simply not good enough on defense, often inefficient in high stake games and ultimately not enough size to break up playoff defenses.

[@willmael7914]

@@innerparty1 yeah I think if you want to win a ring as a guard and as the main guy, you'd need to be superstar-level on at least two of the three: scoring, passing, defense. Ik Book got Ayton and CP3 to help him so he can focus on cooking teams with his scoring, but I'm pretty sure that's not gonna be enough.

[@sharifbrown3567]

@Aravind Narayanan facts

[@yungtago9161]

@@innerparty1 You can definitely win a title with these types as long as they have the proper team around them. Having one average to below average defensive player especially at the guard spots really won’t effect much as long as the defensive scheme is good and there isn’t a specific bad matchup that targets them. Curry and Kyrie come to mind

[@joshjohnson3867]

@@yungtago9161 100%. I really feel like people just use stats way too much to justify those weird claims.

[@willfulton9276]

Ben drops nothing but bangers. I'd love to see a video on Mobley, Miles Bridges, or the effect the foul rule changes has had on some of the most prolific scorers.

[@chuckbarkley2755]

Da fouls one would be elite

[@giom3248]

@@noivern1380 not many rookies in this channel but mobley would be interesting. PS Ben is in the upper echelon of YT basketball

[@swageyamatobiyolo8068]

He's DEFINITELY doing Mobley and/or Scottie Barnes. He always does at least one rookie and these 2 are dripping with potential

[@futurehofer1564]

@@giom3248 he did plenty of videos on rookies a while back

[@Omakhara]

@@chuckbarkley2755 Yh but i think you ahould wait till Allstar to pass that judgment. Who knows how they might change/tweak things gradually so that the subjective calls (as they are called by the league) become more defined and understood. Also most teams still figuring stuff out so its hard to extract the noise from the little data there is.

[@TheM.W]

Finally a Zach LaVine video... I have been waiting for such a long time. Easily my favourite player and has been going under the radar for years now. Thank you for this, Thinking Basketball.

[@SK-mw8vd]

I really think playing on the Olympic team helped grill into Lavine's head that defense is going to win him games. He looks way more focused on that end since.

[@sophiawilliams8650]

i think its more that he doesnt need to generate as much offence so he's able to 100% lock in on D with better offensive talent around him

[@nathanharrell7485]

He was honestly playing better on defense even before the Olympic Games. But no doubt playing with all that knowledge around him probably helped even more

[@t4d0W]

@@sophiawilliams8650 that is usually the case for players who don't have to shoulder all those offensive responsibilities. AK (Bulls VP) made that a mission to realize that goal by getting more players who can help the load off LaVine on offense but also let him play his focused role on defense. Sadly Patrick Williams is who I thought is the ideal defensive anchor for the Bulls this season so everyone has to chip in more on defense.

[@theheebs100]

plus defense in general is a lot better this year

[@tommulligantravels]

The Draymond yelling at you 24/7 for 6 weeks would do that to you too

[@gt12kar]

I've seen a lot of interesting points you've made about defense weaknesses for pnr ball handler defense. Could you make a video about the best pnr defenders in the game and how much they add to winning when compared to high level offensive talent.

[@tdfhion9936]

I think offensive talent adds much more to winning than defensive talent, especially as a guard/point of attack defender. He kinda touches on this in the Marcus Smart defensive profile, where defensive guards aren’t as valuable (generally) than defensive bigs. Obviously the level of talent matters but as a rule offense > defense

[@ThinkingBasketball]

Check out the Bucks (Giannis) defense last year with Bledsoe, and Smart's video. I have another this year I'd like to get to as well.

[@gabeyarris5978]

@@ThinkingBasketball hi Ben. Do you think you could do Robert Covington? I feel like he’s more of a team defender than an on-ball defender, which could be interesting to analyze. Also, nurkic could be interesting. Is he really a good defender? Does his playmaking make up for his bad finishing?

[@swageyamatobiyolo8068]

@@gabeyarris5978 Ben's editor Mike de la Rosa did a really good breakdown on Covington if you're interested kzbin.info/www/bejne/rammlXyVgrp8gac

[@LauraLoo77]

Would love to see an addendum to this showcasing more of his improved defense and playmaking.

[@user-gd8xm3eb9t]

Awesome video, coming from a Bulls fan I definitely feel the playmaking aspect, it drives me nuts seeing him miss wide open teammates, seeing how he's improved consistently every year in the league I believe he can improve there.

[@lilnizal]

Thank you for the content ben

[@hex-2748]

As I predicted, if he gets a consistent long range bombs, he can be an enigma for any defender. If he get his post moves, he can prolong his career without getting his knees worn out.

[@juliansearcie1758]

Lot of ifs.

[@lkjasdf3684]

Saw you made a video on LaVine and had to watch it immediately. It's been so fun to watch him as a bulls fan

[@Hoops_Fan]

Slash and splash is an excellent way to describe Zach LaVine's game. Its also a nice nickname for him. Insightful video with great production quality as usual.

[@BSCTrainerRob]

'He's sitting his weight back...his hips are stiff'... not saying this isn't valid, high level analysis but it's wild to me to pick apart a literal super athlete like that. Dude can touch the top of the backboard

[@sharifbrown3567]

I'd love to see you do a CORP analysis of a MyPlayer from 2K, just to see the ridiculously high stats such as RTS and Scoring Rate present.

[@karishnasiva]

Would really love to see a Scottie Barnes video, I know it's early. Just love how you break down the games of players, it's so pragmatic and great to watch.

[@yanuisme]

Future HOF! Really love watching him playing the game. Smart, effective and explosive. Hope he'll win a RING one day!

[@vinnythep00h]

One of my favorite players in the league. Thanks for the video!

[@jingqi9106]

Zach has some weaknesses in his game but his upside is huge. LaVine is an all-star level player that is next level exciting in the air at the hoop and is an excellent shooter. He's still developing as a player so I's expect him to continue to improve in most areas. Chicago is thrilled to have Zach!

[@boricua9071]

He is on his way to being something really special.

[@jacob6878]

Man, you're the best. I hope you finally gain the recognition you deserve this season! Thanks for all of the great content over the years.

[@jordanr5832]

You gotta love this guy after watching him take over game after game.

[@last7116]

Lavine getting a video from TB is more than enough to make my day

[@jonathonlondon183]

simply love watching Lavine play love his skillset

[@t4d0W]

Agree on those points. LaVine isn't the ideal offense centerpiece but currently he is an ideal PIECE to pair with bona fide offensive engine ala Jokic/Doncic/etc. Which may sound like a slight to Lavine fans but trust me, I feel that unlocks 200% of his strength on offense and hides his shortcomings on defense that way. He can use his jets as an open cutter, rim finisher or buzz all around the half court for catch and shoot opportunities. Also when a play breaks down he is a solid ISO option with his first step and his one way tricks to put up a shot. Also defensively he is ideal just hounding smaller players at the perimeter and being a ball hawk. So he is also best paired with an already existing defensive anchor piece who can play all the important spots at half court. Overall he is def worth that low end All-Star money and I do hope the Bulls keep him while cycling through their assets to get the ideal offensive engine with him.

[@benjaminbaumgardner7620]

Commenting for the algorithm. Good stuff as always

[@rionshikder813]

Really want a Thinking Basketball piece on Alex Caruso, as he seemingly has superstar level impact numbers, and it would be amazing to have Ben break those down

[@sneakers_guy5488]

Agreed

[@Cobusftwmahoniez]

This is by far the best basketball content on youtube

[@pickleoudww7784]

Your voice only can make me like all the vids and your style of montage and illustrations

[@matthewl8647]

NEW TB VID LETS GO

[@Tylerjms7]

If I was in the NBA I’d be watching this guys videos to know what I need to work on. Just good coaching from someone who is a neutral party and really understands basketball

[@godnotavailable2094]

Always a good day when you post. Best basketball content on the platform by a mile.

[@jameshoops10]

should do a slash & splash vid of lavine and derozan

[@Blake-wz6dk]

Love your videos so much homie. keep doing player breakdowns, maybe you could start an annual series breaking down top rookies throughout the year

[@reidb6327]

Zach Lavine is so good

[@FalseNi9e]

Awesome video! My favorite player!

[@houssamk777]

Thank you for shining the light on zach, great video.

[@joshuareynolds9527]

Fantastic analysis, great editing on video. Subscribed!

[@utho8080]

When lavine was on the TWolves and KAT/Wiggins were getting all the shine, I felt Lavine was like TMac on the Raptors. I knew he’d blossom when he got his own team. Hope he starts winning more than TMac did as the franchise player

[@Gaminggod23.]

Even like a harden from years ago

[@WHITEPERSUAS1ON]

The Ball Zach duo go crazy!!!

[@tip12331]

These videos are literally a god send. He don’t miss🤦🏾‍♂️

[@spoonfixer3387]

Zach's jumper is so smooth.

[@JonnyLin7]

Such great analysis. I'd love for you to do a video on some of the rookies, namely Barnes and Mobley.

[@jioreyes5838]

keep them coming 🐐

[@czarenzo5948]

Family of talent, Adam's a bona fide singer and Avril's had hers during the early 2000's

[@Loothansa]

High flying guard with an explosive first step on the Bulls, I've seen this one or two times before.

[@jimmyjoejerkic]

My favourite basketball channel on KZbin!

[@jarrayyy5400]

LFGGGGG! FINALLY A VID ON ZACH LAGOAT I LOVE U BEN

[@understandunderstand1271]

He will be mvp one day soon if his team wins. It might hurt his stats a little playing with detozan and lonzo but Lavine can do it all you could see it right from the start he is a pure shooter excellent finisher and ball handler

[@stumbling]

Feel like I'm watching a leak from Bulls coaching staff. Great in-depth work

[@andybrummel5555]

This is an honest and fair review! I would love to see how he plays with Steph XD

[@svgftw351]

really hoping for a profile on evan mobley he's been great to watch but it would be great to see a detailed breakdown of his defensive and offensive impact

[@20marvelman]

My favorite KZbin doing a video on my favorite player, nice day

[@camctrail]

Perhaps a future video on rookies? There are several standouts, but if you were to focus on one thing, I'd choose Evan Mobley's defense or Scottie Barnes' midrange

[@cordelier]

Great vid, love the anime eyes in the thumbnail

[@jtwilliams8895]

Excellent analysis. Can’t disagree with anything, except labeling Zach a “low level or borderline All Star player.” That’s what he has been the last couple seasons, but I think he’s about to kick it up a notch. That is, assuming that his hand/thumb injury doesn’t hurt his efficiency very much. On a team that is top five in the power rankings, he’s an automatic All Star who could be voted to start by the fans.

[@toekneema]

fantastic analysis

[@57wookie]

The crazy thing about the harden shot profile thing is that lavine makes just over one long 2 per game at 45% and that's been a bit of a growth area as a counter.

[@nolop366]

Amazing content bro, appreciate it!

[@bleeperton]

I was pissed at the time when the Wolves chose to keep Wiggins over LaVine, and now? Even more so 😭

[@akrammohammed530]

Thats my favorite player right there

[@2rs205]

Les go new uploadddd

[@romanleo2281]

Amazing as always

[@laminmbaye8412]

Fave basketball KZbin makes a vid about my fave player on my fave team today is a W

[@brad42tvofficial24]

There's a room for improvement, Yes he is beginning to! Maybe lack of defense but in every facet of the game he excels! A low level star, accepted due to his lenght and light frame though somewhat a star reborn I'd prefer him! He should study the defense mechanics how to move and quick reflexes! Furthermore hes one of the force to reckon with! 👊👊👊

[@Pack166]

Yes nun better then a deep analysis by your boi

[@hughgape4354]

Goat vid from the goat video creator

[@MrGreyWolfAlpha]

Great stuff

[@yll9704]

I just love how he brings steph into a zach's video.

[@markwajelo4546]

I think calling lavine a borderline all star is a bit harsh as i believe he is closer to being a superstar than he is to not being an allstar. When you can score 25 a night on 50 40 90 splits, that alone warrants superstar numbers. Hes also an underrated on-ball defender i would say and is slowly but surely transformin from the negative he was on the defensive side.

[@t4d0W]

Ben outlines the most important impact of LaVine to reach superstar/elite level which is to have his playmaking reach a level beyond his shot creation. The top 10 elite playmakers are not only super versatile shot creators themselves but when they make that pass from making another dribble to probe, it usually turns to a big offensive score. PLUS they can spray it all over half court so that speaks much about their vision and passing skill/ability. LaVine's vision isn't up to snuff so he is so limited to being able to find those guys to make plays outside of their 'first' read within their vicinity (much like a game manager QB in the NFL). Kyrie has boasted 25+ on 50/40/90 last season but he wasn't a top 10 player by all means in comparison to the impact his teammates Harden and Durant had. That doesn't diminish Kyrie's own impact on offense where given most situations he's a near guaranteed bucket especially when those are harder to buy come playoff time.

[@jaredaulick343]

LaVine in GSW offensively would be wildly fun

[@shiyu7060]

could u do an analysis of Linsanity?

[@fhjunior6183]

Thanks for the vid

[@dre8799]

Zack's game is smooth as hell

[@karim8288]

Love your content !! Have you considered doing an analysis of prime d rose ?

[@charliegriffith5619]

Yo he’s back 😃

[@ClemintineCake]

Another great video!

[@chrissullivan6572]

I could watch you and J. Kyle Mann break down players all day.

[@kurtsulit6993]

Can you please make a video about the chicago bulls offense

[@Hieuby_Dooby]

Please more player breakdown vids!

[@SethKasso]

The king has returned!

[@kingdinodragonite3470]

I have problem with points per 100 through diffrent eras. In 2021, there are 30 players averaging 30pts per 100 but in 1974 there’s only 3 which is unfair for the previous generation. My suggestion would be using p values (you could use RStudio) and then analyze and use numerical summaries and give it a confidence interval of 99% to see the more anomaly season ps in history. For example, Mcgrady only registered 42 pts per 100 which is lower than guys like Embiid in 2021 and I think it’s unfair for TMac because 42pts per 100 is an anomaly back then as opposed to today. However, if you use p-values, Tmac has a case of being a top 3 scorer in his peak. The best way is probably use 10000 x (Points per 100 of a player)/ (point per 100 of a team league average)(field goal attempts league average). So a guy like Kobe in 2006 would be (10000)(45.6)/(106.2)(86.5) = 49.64 Adjusted scoring rate

[@sportswikipedia5739]

Another W video by thinking basketball

[@kane6336]

Hi Ben

[@Jamiechisholm12]

Yes he’s posting!!!!!

[@eternalboss1046]

But what is his adjusted regressed passer rating over replacement player curve per 75 possessions?

[@coreyshafarman8918]

This is great, but in the last podcast you teased a Penny Hardaway video that I absolutely need in my life

[@Yusufsanad]

Do similar video about lonzo if you have time

[@yunan9610]

His threes feels like Curry's, with how as long as he's comfortable with his upper body alignment and his release, his lower body would adjusts, like with his leg kicks, hence he can shoot from everywhere even with differences in footwork. On longer threes he puts more fadeaway to get higher arc

[@seunbamgbose1277]

Please make a video about davion Mitchell at the end of the season

[@HiddenWen]

His shooting form is on point. Very similar to Klay's.

[@SuperSilver316]

Finally bulls gettin some love!!

[@Lopiehtable]

I'm curious to see how he and Steph will compare throughout the season to other prolific scorers who utilize foul baiting more. I think he's gonna do big things these next few years.

[@geordiejones5618]

KD, Bron, Embiid and Giannis leading the league in scoring rn

[@MrEtanaka]

Do one video about Caruso please kk

[@mcgvidz3779]

make a video on ja morant and demar derozen

[@jellebetten7036]

Can you do pg13? He is Lightning it up

[@zhenbondlaw631]

We need a video on Ja Morant!

[@3isthenew1]

LaVine and Vince Carter are very similar. Both are great athletes, the greatest dunker of their eras, good passers, use their hops to block shots, packaged with elite shooting. In my opinion Carter produced the more entertaining highlights (and bettrr defense), but Zach has better handles, shooting, and volume scoring.

[@t4d0W]

Nah I'd argue Vince has an edge on all outside of jump shots. Zach's handles aren't amazing either so his biggest value is playing efficiently offball along with his jumper game. VC did have some nice game ending jumper highlights himself. And if needed he could put up scores like no other just because who was stopping him when he was on fire? Both players ultimately just had the weakness of not being elite on shot creation with the ball so they need other players to help them with that.

[@jonahk7638]

I'd love a video on Ben Simmons as a floor-raiser

[@barclaypierre740]

LIGHT SKIN MICHAEL JORDAN

[@RG-ns1xw]

Thinking Basketball: who would you have on your team Zach LaVine or Devin Booker

[@name3236]

Miles Bridges player profile?