It’s never been about the numbers for Zach LaVine.
The numbers were arguably there last season, and still the All-Star Game looked the other way when it came down to deciding on admitting the Bulls guard to the exclusive club.
It’s no longer about hype, either.
LaVine is in Year 7. He can’t ride the rookie wave that a Trae Young did, putting up huge scoring nights in far too many lost causes, but yet Young’s flaws being overlooked because he was the fresh face on the block.
No, for LaVine to get the recognition he feels he’s deserved for quite some time, it has to be moments.