Two years ago, LaVine ranked 490th in the NBA in defensive real plus-minus. Last season he was No. 472. This year he’s 400 — still far from being a plus contributor on that end of the court, but far closer to league average than he has ever been. That improvement has not gone unnoticed by his opponents. “He’s patient. He’s grown. That’s the biggest thing, he’s patient and he’s confident,” said Eric Bledsoe, an All-Defensive Team selection a year ago. “That’s the biggest thing in this league is being confident, especially when you’re the guy. He’s going to be a helluva player, he is right now, but he’s going to be even better.”