Bulls’ Zach LaVine provides thumbs as much as shifting previous damage
Zach LaVine gives thumbs up for overcoming injuries that originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago
When Zach LaVine made his decision to tape his left thumb and play with a torn ligament in his non-shooting hand, the Chicago Bulls were 4-0 and the All-Star security guard averaged 25.5 points on 50 percent shooting.
For the next few games, as his sales increased and his shooting rate decreased slightly, the thumb injury served as the central act for his and the Bulls’ season. Would he be able to keep playing it? Would it heal Would it affect him?
LaVine finally threw away the tape on Nov. 24 and didn’t look back and delve into the injury after Thursday’s practice session at the Advocate Center. And finally, admitting that it affected his game.
“You can check out my shooting columns,” said LaVine.
In 14 games with tape on his thumb, LaVine averaged 26.1 points, 3.4 assists and 2.8 ball losses, while he was 48.1 percent from the field, 37.5 percent from the 3-point range and 85.7 Percent shot out of line.
In 15 games since he left his protection, LaVine averaged 26.8 points, 4.9 assists and 2.8 ball losses, while he was 51.2 percent from the field, 45.4 percent from 3-point range and shot 82.9 percent off the line.
“I tore a ligament in my thumb. So it was pretty difficult to play with. I just thought I’d have to deal with it a lot longer, ”LaVine said. “Luckily I did the treatment and the training staff did a really good job of keeping track of things. And my body is just healed.
“Fortunately, I wasn’t hit in the thumb again. I think that was the main thing. Everything is healthy. Knock on wood. It should stay that way. “
LaVine said the thumb felt a lot better in early December, about a week after removing its protective tape. A stay in the league’s health and safety protocols allowed for more healing time – and less susceptibility to being hit on the pitch.
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“Zach has always been the kind of act-out guy, at least since I’ve been with him. It’s very difficult to keep him off the ground, ”said coach Billy Donovan. “He’s smart too. I don’t want to make it seem like he’s not making wise decisions. For example, if it is going to be something that doesn’t necessarily cause more problems and he feels like he can play, he will play. He’s always been like that. And that’s what I really appreciate about him. “
Donovan said LaVine struggled to grip the ball with his left hand while playing through the injury. And he appreciated the dedication LaVine showed in setting out on his path.
“I give him a lot of credit,” said Donovan. “He’s a tough guy.”
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