DETROIT (Mich.) -- Chicago All-Star guard Zach LaVine helped the Bulls get off to a flying start with 34 points, seven boards, and four assists. He led them past the Detroit Pistons, which was 94-88 on Wednesday night.
He started a third-quarter rally by scoring 15 points, and then added eight more in the fourth. DeMar DeRozan, his new teammate, was also present during postgame interviews. DeMar DeRozan expressed confidence that he only looks forward, not at 2020-21.
"This isn't last year. "We're looking forward now," LaVine stated about the revamped Bulls. He also mentioned that Lonzo Ball and Alex Caruso were added to the roster. It's a new team. It's a whole new mindset. That's why I'm so happy that we got it done. "A win is a win."
This win was the Bulls' first season-opening victory since 2016-17.
According to ESPN Stats & Information, this was LaVine's second consecutive 30 point performance in a Bulls season opener. He joins Artis Gilmore (2x) and Michael Jordan (7x) in that group.
Billy Donovan, Bulls coach, said that "the shots that he made" and that his athletic skills and talent are well-known to all. He's always had that. He sees things from a new perspective. His voice is heard. He is delivering a completely different message in a very, very different way. Based on his own experiences, he sees things differently now.
Donovan also attributes LaVine's Olympic experience, winning a gold medal for Team USA, and being around elite NBA players during Atlanta's 2021 All-Star Game, with aiding his maturation.
LaVine, who was entering his final year of his contract, told ESPN that the season would be crucial for the direction of the team and his future.
After Wednesday's game, he elaborated further on his thoughts and said that he had been part of rebuilding teams throughout his career. However, he was "thankful" that the Bulls have new faces as they look to make the playoffs for only the second time since 2016-17 season. It will also be the first time in his career.
"I am always confident. "I put in the work, but having DeMar DeRozan next to me, having Vooch beside me, that just makes it more confident and ready to play," LaVine stated. "We now have a lot of dogs on our team and guys who will help each other so I'm really happy, but a win's win's a victory and we're going forward from there."
