Takeaways from Zach LaVine's Performance for Minnesota Timberwolves so Far
The 2014 NBA season is as young as Zach LaVine's career, but already there are some takeaways to garner. Due to the many injuries on the Minnesota Timberwolves roster, LaVine has taken over the reins as the team's starting point guard.
The 6'5" rookie from UCLA wasn't drafted because of his college stat line or his ability to make an immediate impact; his value lies in his potential. He's fast, he can shoot from beyond the arc and he may be the best dunker in the NBA (as seen in the GIF below).
"I HOPE @ZachLaVine IS IN THE DUNK CONTEST THIS YEAR http://t.co/QLJxJGDKcI
— WORLD STAR VINE (@WORLDSTARVlNE) November 2, 2014 "
LaVine's ceiling is high, but so far this season, he's looked like any other struggling rookie.
LaVine Has Big-Game Potential but He's Not Consistent
The 19-year-old rookie has had his fair share of ups and downs. In a 120-119 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on November 28, LaVine had a breakout performance, racking up 28 points and five assists. The very next game, in a 107-93 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers, he shot 0-of-3 and tallied zero points and zero assists.
The potential is there, but the consistency is not. Through 21 games (12 starts), he has a very mediocre stat line: 9.1 points per game, 3.5 assists per game and a horrid 39.1 field-goal percentage.
In December, LaVine is averaging an impressive 11.4 points per game, but he's only shooting 37.5 percent from the floor (according to ESPN). He's improving the quantity but not the quality.
LaVine has shown glimpses of potential, but those games are usually surrounded by nights of mediocrity. He's very raw, but with time, we may see more ups than downs from the young point guard.
LaVine is a Much Better Facilitator Than Expected
At UCLA, he only averaged 1.8 assists per game. In his defense, LaVine was only a freshman, and he didn't have a lot of experience as a floor general (with only one start in his collegiate career).
The biggest pleasant surprise this season for LaVine has been his competence as a passer. In four of his 12 starts, the rookie has racked up eight or more assists. In college, he never recorded more than six assists in a single game.
His best performance of the year came on December 6 in a 123-101 loss to the San Antonio Spurs, when he recorded 22 points and 10 assists—his first career double-double.
"Zach LaVine recorded his 1st double-double Sat at San Antonio with 22 pts/10 ast, the 4th teenager with a 20-pnt/10-ast game in NBA history.
— Timberwolves PR (@Twolves_PR) December 8, 2014 "
Much like his scoring ability, he can occasionally have big games as a facilitator, but he hasn't been very consistent. Eventually, Ricky Rubio will come back, and the team won't depend on LaVine as its primary passer.
LaVine Has Struggled from Beyond the Arc
When LaVine entered the draft, one of the big selling points was his ability to shoot from long range. In college, he hit 37.5 percent on three-point attempts.
Unfortunately, his range hasn't transitioned well to the big leagues. He is currently shooting only 25 percent from downtown.
In his defense, not only is he a teenager, but the NBA three-point line is about four feet farther from the basket than it is in college. With more time and experience, LaVine's long-range efficiency will most likely increase.
In Conclusion
His 8.05 player efficiency rating is well below the league average (15), and he's shooting under 40 percent from the field (which is the basketball version of the Mendoza Line), but he has shown signs of being a great future player.
He's had two 20-plus-point performances this season, both in which he shot over 50 percent.
He's also been one of the best rookies in this year's class. LaVine currently ranks fourth in points per game and second in assists average among rookies, according to ESPN. He's also the only point guard in his class who has a double-double.
He's clearly very talented, but it will take at least a few more years before LaVine becomes a consistent contributor.
All stats are courtesy of Basketball-Reference.com unless otherwise noted.
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