Zach LaVine should be an All-Star

Last year, I asked Charles Barkley how he felt about Zach LaVine not being an All-Star.

“He didn’t deserve it,” Barkley said firmly.

I followed up with a “why not?”

“Because he didn’t deserve it,” Barkley insisted.

(swipe right on the post to see Barkley interview)

This year, he does deserve it. LaVine shouldn’t miss the All-Star game.

He’s averaging 27.0 points per game, 5.3 rebounds and 5.3 assists this season. Those numbers are All-Star worthy, especially for someone who is so efficient at scoring and has improved his shot selection.

If he was on a winning team, there wouldn’t even be a debate.

LaVine knows he needs to win more. He’s been delivering, as he did in yesterday’s rematch against the Orlando Magic. Yes, he’s been inconsistent at times. But he makes up for it when he goes off.

Leading the Bulls to a 118-92 victory over the Magic, he scored 39 points making 16 of 25 shots in his 39 minutes on the floor.

Keep in mind that last year, Trae Young was averaging 29.2 points per game, 8.6 assists and 4.7 rebounds for a team that was last place when All-Star voting ended yet he made his first All-Star appearance. He did just as bad as LaVine defensively.

LaVine has a defensive rating of 117.5. While that isn’t great, he is working on it. He mainly struggles with off-ball defense, but he has been improving on that end. He’s getting a few steals here and there, averaging 1.2 steals this season, and having Billy Donovan as a coach will help him improve that.

Stats aren’t the only thing that make an All-Star, there are other factors that one must take into account – like leadership on and off the court, hustle plays and your ability to make your teammates around you better.

LaVine has been doing those things this season. He’s shown unselfishness. His playmaking skills have improved, averaging the highest assists per game of his career.

That’s impressive for a shooting guard who’s expected to take on most of the pressure of scoring. And he’s not letting the team down on the scoring end. He’s shooting 51.2% from the field and 41.0% from three.

On top of that, he’s really fun to watch. He dunks like he’s in NBA Jam and he can hit 3s. What basketball lover doesn’t enjoy that? That’s what All-Star weekend is all about. Watching the best players in the league have fun.

It’s absolutely undebatable that LaVine is one of the most vibrant players in the league when he gets ignited. His athleticism flares through and he becomes a walking highlight reel of dunks.

After the first round of fan voting, LaVine currently stands at fifth among Eastern Conference guards, as he trails Bradley Beal, Kyrie Irving, James Harden and Jaylen Brown.

Fan votes account for 50% of the voting for All-Star starters, while media makes up 25% and players also 25%. Coaches select 10 reserves. So, if LaVine doesn’t find his way up the rankings, his chances would be through a coach vote.

Through 22 games, he’s built himself to earn a place in the All-Star game.

He always says that when he steps onto the court, he carries himself as the best player on it. It’s time to show the world what he’d look like as an All-Star.