DALLAS – Considering Zach LaVine is basically a poet when he takes to the air, why not sound poetic when being vague?
That’s what LaVine was once again on Monday, discussing a possible return to the Dunk Contest for the second time in the last few weeks.
“I’ve got some tricks still left,’’ LaVine said. “If the stars align right they will be shown.’’
What does that alignment entail? First, the Bulls guard has to feel healthy. Go ahead and check that box for now. Secondly, being voted to the All-Star Game would make the contest more of a possibility, especially with the NBA’s featured weekend in Chicago this February.
That box might be tougher to check right now, especially with LaVine fifth in fan voting in the first release.
Finally, LaVine would love an invite to the Three-Point Contest – which hasn’t come yet – and might think about participating in both headline events leading up to the game. A lot of ifs.
“Like I said, I don’t have a whole lot to prove in it,’’ LaVine, who won the Dunk Contest twice, said. “I’d love to do it for the fans and the hometown. I want to make sure that my body feels right. I’m more focused on winning games, being in the All-Star Game. I feel like that would give me more of a something to do when I’m there. You know obviously I want to do something over the weekend. I want to do the three-point contest, I’ll do that.
“I think there will be an opportunity for me to do [the Dunk Contest]. I need some time to practice, but I’m still mulling over the decision, figure it out in a couple of weeks probably.’’
LaVine said he doesn’t know the deadline for him to give his decision, but was hoping the league would be patient with him, especially since it is in his own backyard. Dwight Howard and Ja Morant have been rumored to be candidates for the contest, while Miami high-flier Derrick Jones Jr. is already in.
LaVine didn’t seem intimidated by any of that talk.
When it comes to dunking, he seldom is.
“I still think I can go out and win,’’ LaVine said. “Obviously if I do it I think I’ll prepare myself enough to win it like I have the last couple years, but it will be tough to top myself, you know. I gotta think of some new stuff.
“What else can I do? But I still got some tricks. I’m not going to give away my whole game plan.’’
As far as his Three-Point Contest dreams, it’s not exactly a stretch for the league to ask him. Entering the game against Dallas, LaVine was actually seventh overall in three-pointers made this season, sitting at 113. Sure, he was 39th in three-point field goal percentage with .398, but his increased volume in that category speaks volumes on how confident he is taking it.
“I don’t think anyone has me winning a dunk contest and a three-point contest, so I’ll try that one out,’’ LaVine said. “I think they’ll probably be more obligated to let me do [the Three-Point Contest] if I do a Dunk Contest too.
“I would love to go out there and do that, and I think I’ll show them in past years what I was known for before just being a dunker is out the window. To win a three-point contest I think would be historic as well.’’
Hutch update
Chandler Hutchison was finally back from a six-week shoulder injury, with the second-year forward made active before the Mavericks game.
Coach Jim Boylen said Hutchison had a unique shoulder injury, and his toughness shouldn’t be questioned. He was used off the bench in his return.
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January 07, 2020 at 09:18AM
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Bulls guard Zach LaVine wants Three-Point Contest before Dunk Contest - Chicago Sun-Times
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