After converting just 1 of his 14 shots and with the team trying to rally from a double-digit deficit, Bulls star Zach LaVine was benched for the final 3:43 of Friday’s 108-107 loss to the Orlando Magic, a decision LaVine said he disagreed with after the game. “I got to do a better job at the beginning of the game to make my shots, but you play a guy like me down the stretch,” said LaVine, who finished with four points. “That’s what I do. Do I like the decision? No. Do I have to live with it? Yeah. Be ready to put my shoes on and play the next game.”
Source: Jamal Collier @ ESPN
What’s the buzz on Twitter?
KC Johnson @KCJHoop
Billy Donovan is just trying to win a game. So he isn’t thinking big-picture ramifications when he benched Zach LaVine down stretch of Bulls’ 4th straight loss.
But make no mistake: There are plenty.
Column for @NBCSChicago: nbcsports.com/chicago/bulls/… – 12:01 AM
Billy Donovan is just trying to win a game. So he isn’t thinking big-picture ramifications when he benched Zach LaVine down stretch of Bulls’ 4th straight loss.
But make no mistake: There are plenty.
Column for @NBCSChicago: nbcsports.com/chicago/bulls/… – 12:01 AM
Mike McGraw @McGrawDHSports
Zach Lavine on sitting out the final 3:43 after shooting 1-for-14: “That’s Billy’s decision, he’s got to lay with it. Do I agree with it? No. I think I can go out there and still be me even if I’m missing shots.” #Bulls – 11:35 PM
Zach Lavine on sitting out the final 3:43 after shooting 1-for-14: “That’s Billy’s decision, he’s got to lay with it. Do I agree with it? No. I think I can go out there and still be me even if I’m missing shots.” #Bulls – 11:35 PM
Julia Poe @byjuliapoe
DeMar DeRozan on Zach LaVine’s off night: “It happens. Can’t dwell on that. I guarantee you, next game he’ll be better. We all know that’s not who he is, not who he’s about.” – 11:28 PM
DeMar DeRozan on Zach LaVine’s off night: “It happens. Can’t dwell on that. I guarantee you, next game he’ll be better. We all know that’s not who he is, not who he’s about.” – 11:28 PM
Joe Cowley @JCowleyHoops
Asked if he’ll talk to Donovan about it, LaVine said, “I’ll figure it out after this [press conference].’’ – 11:04 PM
Asked if he’ll talk to Donovan about it, LaVine said, “I’ll figure it out after this [press conference].’’ – 11:04 PM
Joe Cowley @JCowleyHoops
“That’s Billy’s decision, he’s gotta lay with it,’’ LaVine said of his benching. “Do I agree with it? No. I think I can go out there and still be me even if I miss some shots. That’s his decision and he’s got to stand on it.’’ – 11:04 PM
“That’s Billy’s decision, he’s gotta lay with it,’’ LaVine said of his benching. “Do I agree with it? No. I think I can go out there and still be me even if I miss some shots. That’s his decision and he’s got to stand on it.’’ – 11:04 PM
Julia Poe @byjuliapoe
Zach LaVine: “You play a guy like me down the stretch. That’s what I do.” – 11:03 PM
Zach LaVine: “You play a guy like me down the stretch. That’s what I do.” – 11:03 PM
Jamal Collier @JamalCollier
Zach LaVine on getting benched down the stretch: “That’s Billy’s decision, he got to lay with it. Do I agree with it? No.”
Will you talk to him about it? “I don’t know, I’ll figure it out after this” – 11:02 PM
Zach LaVine on getting benched down the stretch: “That’s Billy’s decision, he got to lay with it. Do I agree with it? No.”
Will you talk to him about it? “I don’t know, I’ll figure it out after this” – 11:02 PM
Darnell Mayberry @DarnellMayberry
Zach LaVine on sitting out the final 3:43 of tonight’s loss to Orlando: “That’s Billy’s decision. He’s got to live with it. Do I agree with it? No.” pic.twitter.com/guvBnW8Aoi – 11:00 PM
Zach LaVine on sitting out the final 3:43 of tonight’s loss to Orlando: “That’s Billy’s decision. He’s got to live with it. Do I agree with it? No.” pic.twitter.com/guvBnW8Aoi – 11:00 PM
Julia Poe @byjuliapoe
Zach LaVine said he disagreed with Billy Donovan’s decision to sit him for the closing minutes of tonight’s loss. He’s still deciding if/how he’ll talk to the coach about the call.
“Do I like the decision? No. Do I have to live with it? Yes.” – 10:59 PM
Zach LaVine said he disagreed with Billy Donovan’s decision to sit him for the closing minutes of tonight’s loss. He’s still deciding if/how he’ll talk to the coach about the call.
“Do I like the decision? No. Do I have to live with it? Yes.” – 10:59 PM
KC Johnson @KCJHoop
Zach LaVine on getting benched down stretch: “That’s Billy’s decision. He’s gotta lay with it. Do I agree with it? No.” – 10:55 PM
Zach LaVine on getting benched down stretch: “That’s Billy’s decision. He’s gotta lay with it. Do I agree with it? No.” – 10:55 PM
Darnell Mayberry @DarnellMayberry
Zach LaVine, to no one but everyone: “It’s nothing to say about that one.” – 10:50 PM
Zach LaVine, to no one but everyone: “It’s nothing to say about that one.” – 10:50 PM
Stephen Noh @StephNoh
Weird Bulls game.
-Javonte Green was a +17 in under 18 minutes
-DeRozan with 41 points
-LaVine 1-14 and benched for the final 3:43
-Bulls blew a four point lead with 26.5 left thanks to two missed FTs by Vucevic – 10:42 PM
Weird Bulls game.
-Javonte Green was a +17 in under 18 minutes
-DeRozan with 41 points
-LaVine 1-14 and benched for the final 3:43
-Bulls blew a four point lead with 26.5 left thanks to two missed FTs by Vucevic – 10:42 PM
Jamal Collier @JamalCollier
Zach LaVine finished with 4 points on 1 for 14 shooting tonight and got pulled with 3:43 left in the fourth quarter.
Billy Donovan: “It was one of those games where he just didn’t have a great game…I was trying to do the best for our team in that moment” – 10:38 PM
Zach LaVine finished with 4 points on 1 for 14 shooting tonight and got pulled with 3:43 left in the fourth quarter.
Billy Donovan: “It was one of those games where he just didn’t have a great game…I was trying to do the best for our team in that moment” – 10:38 PM
Mike McGraw @McGrawDHSports
Donovan on benching LaVine for final stretch: “Great players, that happens. He wasn’t playing well, I just made a decision.” #Bulls – 10:37 PM
Donovan on benching LaVine for final stretch: “Great players, that happens. He wasn’t playing well, I just made a decision.” #Bulls – 10:37 PM
KC Johnson @KCJHoop
Billy Donovan on benching LaVine: “He had a tough night shooting. I thought that group fought their way back into the game.” – 10:36 PM
Billy Donovan on benching LaVine: “He had a tough night shooting. I thought that group fought their way back into the game.” – 10:36 PM
KC Johnson @KCJHoop
Magic 108, Bulls 107
Bulls lose fourth straight and sixth of seven. Also drop to 0-7 in clutch games
Vucevic misses two FTs with 12 seconds left. Suggs GW 3
Magic record first road victory in seven tries
DeRozan 41 pts
LaVine 1-14 and benched down stretch – 10:27 PM
Magic 108, Bulls 107
Bulls lose fourth straight and sixth of seven. Also drop to 0-7 in clutch games
Vucevic misses two FTs with 12 seconds left. Suggs GW 3
Magic record first road victory in seven tries
DeRozan 41 pts
LaVine 1-14 and benched down stretch – 10:27 PM
Julia Poe @byjuliapoe
Ayo Dosunmu and Alex Caruso in the closing lineup over Zach LaVine. – 10:13 PM
Ayo Dosunmu and Alex Caruso in the closing lineup over Zach LaVine. – 10:13 PM
Joe Cowley @JCowleyHoops
LaVine pulled for Ayo in crunch time … Zach was 1-of-14 and 0-for-5 from three with a -19 in plus/minus. – 10:09 PM
LaVine pulled for Ayo in crunch time … Zach was 1-of-14 and 0-for-5 from three with a -19 in plus/minus. – 10:09 PM
Darnell Mayberry @DarnellMayberry
Billy Donovan replaces Zach LaVine with Ayo Dosunmu with 3:43 left to play in a four-point game. – 10:08 PM
Billy Donovan replaces Zach LaVine with Ayo Dosunmu with 3:43 left to play in a four-point game. – 10:08 PM
Joe Cowley @JCowleyHoops
DeMar DeRozan has recorded his 18th game of at least 35 points and five rebounds while with Chicago. DeRozan ranks 4th all-time in team history in total games with 35 pts/5 rebs, trailing only Michael Jordan (233), Bob Love (34) and Zach LaVine (21). … via Dre PR – 10:07 PM
DeMar DeRozan has recorded his 18th game of at least 35 points and five rebounds while with Chicago. DeRozan ranks 4th all-time in team history in total games with 35 pts/5 rebs, trailing only Michael Jordan (233), Bob Love (34) and Zach LaVine (21). … via Dre PR – 10:07 PM
KC Johnson @KCJHoop
Zach LaVine, who is 1-12, enters with 8:50 left. Has sat since 6 minute mark of 3rd. – 9:57 PM
Zach LaVine, who is 1-12, enters with 8:50 left. Has sat since 6 minute mark of 3rd. – 9:57 PM
Rob Schaefer @rob_schaef
More rough Bulls scenes to open third quarter. Zach LaVine is now 1-for-12 from field. Bulls are 3-for-17 from 3-point range. And Jalen Suggs just authoritatively swatted a Nikola Vucevic layup at the rim
76-60 Magic, 6:00 Q3 (with Orlando FTs coming out of timeout) – 9:33 PM
More rough Bulls scenes to open third quarter. Zach LaVine is now 1-for-12 from field. Bulls are 3-for-17 from 3-point range. And Jalen Suggs just authoritatively swatted a Nikola Vucevic layup at the rim
76-60 Magic, 6:00 Q3 (with Orlando FTs coming out of timeout) – 9:33 PM
Julia Poe @byjuliapoe
Zach LaVine doesn’t need to force up shots — especially when he’s 1-for-11 — but he just passed up a wide-open Vooch in the paint to take (and miss) a 3-pointer. – 9:25 PM
Zach LaVine doesn’t need to force up shots — especially when he’s 1-for-11 — but he just passed up a wide-open Vooch in the paint to take (and miss) a 3-pointer. – 9:25 PM
KC Johnson @KCJHoop
Vucevic was wide open in paint with Suggs on him and LaVine launched a 3. – 9:24 PM
Vucevic was wide open in paint with Suggs on him and LaVine launched a 3. – 9:24 PM
Mike McGraw @McGrawDHSports
Rough first half for #Bulls, needless to say. Wendell Carter has 17 & 6; Zach Lavine 2 pts on 1 of 10 shooting. Magic leads 66-52 – 9:11 PM
Rough first half for #Bulls, needless to say. Wendell Carter has 17 & 6; Zach Lavine 2 pts on 1 of 10 shooting. Magic leads 66-52 – 9:11 PM
Rob Schaefer @rob_schaef
Halftime: Magic 66, Bulls 52
DeRozan: 15 pts
Ayo: 13 pts
Vucevic: 12 pts, 10 reb
LaVine: 1-10 FG
WCJ: 17 pts, 6 reb
Franz: 14 pts, 7 ast – 9:08 PM
Halftime: Magic 66, Bulls 52
DeRozan: 15 pts
Ayo: 13 pts
Vucevic: 12 pts, 10 reb
LaVine: 1-10 FG
WCJ: 17 pts, 6 reb
Franz: 14 pts, 7 ast – 9:08 PM
Julia Poe @byjuliapoe
The Bulls fall behind the Magic 66-52 in a strange, disjointed first half.
Zach LaVine shot 1-for-10 from the field. The Bulls went 2-for-13 from behind the 3-point arc. Javonte Green did not play a single minute. – 9:08 PM
The Bulls fall behind the Magic 66-52 in a strange, disjointed first half.
Zach LaVine shot 1-for-10 from the field. The Bulls went 2-for-13 from behind the 3-point arc. Javonte Green did not play a single minute. – 9:08 PM
KC Johnson @KCJHoop
Magic 66, Bulls 52 at half
DeRozan 15 pts
Vucevic 12 pts, 10 rebs, 4 assists
Dosunmu 13 pts
LaVine 1-10 FGs
Carter Jr. 17 pts, 5 rebs, 3 assists
F. Wagner 14 pts, 7 assists
Bamba, Bol 10 pts apiece – 9:06 PM
Magic 66, Bulls 52 at half
DeRozan 15 pts
Vucevic 12 pts, 10 rebs, 4 assists
Dosunmu 13 pts
LaVine 1-10 FGs
Carter Jr. 17 pts, 5 rebs, 3 assists
F. Wagner 14 pts, 7 assists
Bamba, Bol 10 pts apiece – 9:06 PM
Julia Poe @byjuliapoe
Zach LaVine is 1-for-8 from the field to start this one. He just missed two contested attempts at the rim within the same play. – 8:45 PM
Zach LaVine is 1-for-8 from the field to start this one. He just missed two contested attempts at the rim within the same play. – 8:45 PM
Mike McGraw @McGrawDHSports
It actually seemed like #Bulls were on the right track, Ayo & Williams combined to score 11 in 1stQ, which is good to see. But the subs + LaVine lineup finished on the wrong end of a 15-3 run – 8:39 PM
It actually seemed like #Bulls were on the right track, Ayo & Williams combined to score 11 in 1stQ, which is good to see. But the subs + LaVine lineup finished on the wrong end of a 15-3 run – 8:39 PM
KC Johnson @KCJHoop
Billy Donovan calls on DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine and Nikola Vučević to set the tone and be the aggressors for the Bulls regarding their slow starts.
For @NBCSChicago: nbcsports.com/chicago/bulls/… – 7:32 PM
Billy Donovan calls on DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine and Nikola Vučević to set the tone and be the aggressors for the Bulls regarding their slow starts.
For @NBCSChicago: nbcsports.com/chicago/bulls/… – 7:32 PM
Rob Schaefer @rob_schaef
Amid 10+ min line of questioning in which he placed responsibility for Bulls’ slow starts on DeRozan, LaVine and Vucevic, here is Billy Donovan’s answer on how that trio needs to set tone
Donovan has confidence. But: “They’ve gotta raise the level of everybody else around them.” pic.twitter.com/FZeL7p3xGV – 6:46 PM
Amid 10+ min line of questioning in which he placed responsibility for Bulls’ slow starts on DeRozan, LaVine and Vucevic, here is Billy Donovan’s answer on how that trio needs to set tone
Donovan has confidence. But: “They’ve gotta raise the level of everybody else around them.” pic.twitter.com/FZeL7p3xGV – 6:46 PM
Julia Poe @byjuliapoe
Billy Donovan also went long on the Bulls’ slow starts, laying pressure directly on Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan and Nikola Vučević to step up.
He wants more physicality and drive from the trio — on offense and on defense — and directed blame for the losses away from Pat and Ayo. – 6:36 PM
Billy Donovan also went long on the Bulls’ slow starts, laying pressure directly on Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan and Nikola Vučević to step up.
He wants more physicality and drive from the trio — on offense and on defense — and directed blame for the losses away from Pat and Ayo. – 6:36 PM
KC Johnson @KCJHoop
While saying it’s a group effort and the coaching staff has responsibility too, Billy Donovan said the Big 3 (my words) of DeRozan, LaVine and Vucevic are the ones who need to “drive” the Bulls out of the ruts of slow starts. Offensively and defensively. – 6:25 PM
While saying it’s a group effort and the coaching staff has responsibility too, Billy Donovan said the Big 3 (my words) of DeRozan, LaVine and Vucevic are the ones who need to “drive” the Bulls out of the ruts of slow starts. Offensively and defensively. – 6:25 PM
Jim Eichenhofer @Jim_Eichenhofer
Dyson Daniels on facing elite scorers: “It’s been good. Obviously challenging matchups, some great players. Matched up on Ja a few times, Zach LaVine, Luka Doncic. Going against the best of the best is what I want to do. I want to prove myself, that I can compete and hold my own” – 11:16 AM
Dyson Daniels on facing elite scorers: “It’s been good. Obviously challenging matchups, some great players. Matched up on Ja a few times, Zach LaVine, Luka Doncic. Going against the best of the best is what I want to do. I want to prove myself, that I can compete and hold my own” – 11:16 AM
More on this storyline
LaVine added that he was not sure whether he would have a conversation with Donovan about his thought process surrounding the decision. “Just ask him what his decision was, what made him think that way,” LaVine said. “Obviously, he wanted to go with some other guys out there, I wasn’t having the best night shooting, but it’s a tough one.” -via ESPN / November 19, 2022
“I feel like my job, my responsibility in those moments is to try to make the best decisions for the team,” Bulls coach Billy Donovan said. “And I thought that was the best decision at the time. To me, I don’t look at it as anything else but the one-off game where this is what was going on. I know he wanted to be out there. There’s probably not very many games in his career where [LaVine] hasn’t been out there in those moments, but that group was playing well and it gave us a chance.” -via ESPN / November 19, 2022
For the game, LaVine finished with 30 points and five assists, shooting 11-for-20 from the field and 4-for-8 from 3-point range. It was his first 30-point outing of the season. “When he takes those catch-and-shoot opportunities, as many as he can get, it’s great for us,” Donovan said. “The ball found him and he also made some plays. I thought he had a really efficient night offensively.” -via NBC Sports / November 8, 2022