Chicago Bulls: 3-Point Contest makes most sense for Zach LaVine

Even though Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine didn’t elect to be in the Slam Dunk Contest, participating in the 3-Point contest makes more sense.

The 2020 NBA All Star Weekend should have lined up to be more special for Chicago Bulls fans. This year, of course, the festivities will be in Chicago.

Fans were hoping to see the Bulls well-represented over the course of the weekend. If you’re like me, you would have thought you might see Zach LaVine in the All Star Game, and maybe even the Slam Dunk Contest. Aside from LaVine, Coby White could have been involved in the Rising Stars Challenge.

In total, the Bulls could have easily been represented in three total events. Instead, White was snubbed from the Rising Stars Challenge and LaVine was left off the All Star roster.

I’ll add that Wendell Carter Jr. was given the nod in the Rising Stars Challenge, but won’t participate due to injury — not a surprise for the Bulls right now, considering it seems like half the roster is hurt.

So, with LaVine snubbed from the All Star Game, many would have liked to see him in the Slam Dunk Contest. However, he won’t be involved in that either. Instead, though, LaVine will be a first-time participant in the 3-Point Contest.

This year, LaVine is enjoying a career year in many areas. He’s posting career highs in points (24.9), rebounds (4.9) and steals (1.4).

LaVine is also taking 7.9 three-pointers per game and knocking them down at a 37.6 percent clip.

While he would have been a blast to watch in the Slam Dunk Contest, LaVine really didn’t have anything to prove in that realm. He’s already a two-time winner.

On the flip side, I don’t think most would have seen him in the 3-Point Contest. Yet, he’s shot well from beyond the arc this year and is taking more than he ever has from that distance on a nightly basis. So, he’s in — and heck, maybe he pulls out the victory.

"“I feel like I don’t got a lot more to prove with that,” LaVine said, citing the dunk contest. “The 3-point contest is something I’ve been wanting to do. I just think it will be fun. Obviously, I want to do something for Chicago during All-Star weekend. Get ready to shoot some more 3s.” (NBCS Chicago)"

LaVine is right. He doesn’t have anything to prove in terms of being a dunker. Everybody knows he can fly. We’ve seen him prove to be one of the league’s best dunkers.

But, he’s proven that he can be one of the top scorers in the NBA as well, and he’s doing it in flurries from the 3-point line this year. Earlier this season, LaVine hit a career-high 13 from deep in a comeback win over the Charlotte Hornets. Hopefully during All Star Weekend, LaVine can knock down a few more.