"Zach LaVine disrespect has gone too far" - NBA fans react with shock to Zach LaVine falling out of list containing top 70 players in NBA

Since joining the Chicago Bulls in 2018, Zach LaVine has emerged as one of the top offensive off-guards in the NBA. Fans are appalled to see his placement in recent player rankings after he came off an injury-ridden season last year.

Before the 2024-25 season starts, the staff at ESPN compiled a list of the top 100 players in the league and posted it on X/Twitter on Tuesday. LaVine was rather low on this list, coming in at No. 74. Some players just ahead of him include Jarrett Allen, Austin Reaves, Klay Thompson and Bradley Beal.

Fans were enraged to see a multi-time All-Star ranked so low and expressed themselves in the comment section.

Aside from talking about LaVine, most fans pointed out how flawed the list is.

"Did they fire Zach Lowe to have more budget for crack? Jeez," one fan tweeted.

"I don't understand why espn releases these lists, no one ever agrees all it does is get people talking about how stupid it is," another fan tweeted.

"ESPN shouldn't rank anyone...Trash list," one fan tweeted.

LaVine's production dipped in 2024 primarily due to battling injury. Before getting hurt, he averaged 24.0 points or higher in five straight seasons. As an athletic guard who can score effectively on all three levels, LaVine is a player who has a strong case to be placed higher.

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Zach LaVine looks like old self in preseason matchup vs Memphis Grizzlies

Coming off a season where he was sidelined for months due to foot surgery, the Chicago Bulls have been careful with Zach Lavine's workload in the preseason. However, his recent outing showed signs of the player we've grown accustomed to seeing.

LaVine was last in the lineup over the weekend in Chicago's matchup against the Memphis Grizzlies. The former All-Star erupted on the offensive end, scoring 28 points in just 22 minutes of work. What stood out most from LaVine's performance was that he shot a perfect 6-for-6 from beyond the arc.

Between missing most of last year and his recent player ranking, everything is shaping up for LaVine to have a revenge season in 2025. The veteran guard should be more than motivated to show the world that he is still a high-level talent in the league.

Having a bounce-back year could help LaVine and the Bulls on multiple fronts. His name was thrown around in trade rumors for months before getting surgery, but no team was willing to take on his contract. If LaVine can return to form, it might make it easier for Chicago to facilitate a deal and continue its youth movement.