It wasn't that long ago that Zach LaVine told the Sacramento Kings that he'd drop 40 points a night if they got him the ball. Well, they did, and he didn't last night against the Mavs. If LaVine wants to be the shooter he thinks he is, the man has to deliver when the moment calls for it.
Way back on December 6, LaVine dropped 42 points on the Miami Heat in a rare Kings' win. He shot 12 for 24 from the field and eight of 13 from the three-point line. It was a particularly impressive shooting performance from someone who has made a name for himself as an elite shooter.
After the game, LaVine gave an interview where he said he could shoot like that every night if the Kings got him the ball more. Zach seemed to be partially joking and partially serious. Regardless, it was quite a gauntlet to throw down.
LaVine doesn't payoff on his big words
Cut to last night's narrow loss to the Dallas Mavericks. LaVine had been out injured for several games and only returned to the game before. Zach finished with 20 points on eight of 19 shooting from the field and two of six from the three-point line. That was less impressive.
All of that being said, LaVine does deserve credit for his all-around performance last night. In addition to his 20 points, he also collected four rebounds, three assists, one block, and two steals. It was honestly great to see that kind of night from him.
The problem is what he said after the Heat game in early December. The Kings set him up for 19 shots against the Mavs, but he only converted eight of them. That's a field goal percentage of 42.1% compared to 50.0% against Miami. That's not exactly shooting the lights out.
LaVine's shooting matters to the Kings
Sacramento has made it incredibly clear that they want to trade LaVine, and he really doesn't seem like he wants to play there anymore. Regardless, Zach is a King right now, and everyone involved needs to start acting like it.
LaVine scored the same number of points in the previous game against the Bucks on fewer shots. His efficiency was much better. If he had shot like that against the Mavericks, the Kings would be in the win column right now instead of riding another losing streak to the bottom of the league.
The Kings have to get the ball to LaVine for good, open looks. At the same time, Zach has to deliver when Sacramento makes that happen. Shooting 42.1% from the field isn't going to get the job done. If a rookie shot like that, it would be amazing. But this is Zach LaVine, and everyone expects better.