During the Bulls’ loss to the Thunder yesterday, Zach LaVine appeared to say, “I have f—ing 40 points!”
Many assumed LaVine was snapping at Chicago coach Jim Boylen. But LaVine clarified his target was Oklahoma City guard Dennis Schroder.
Eric Woodyard of ESPN:
In regards to last night's viral video, Zach LaVine just confirmed to me that he wasn't talking to Bulls coach Jim Boylen. He was talking trash with OKC's Dennis Schroder. "Between players when you guys are talking, you talk smack sometimes right? And that's all it was." https://t.co/8EJyAyZAnh
— Eric Woodyard (@E_Woodyard) February 26, 2020
LaVine: "We were still down. Dude was talking a little mess to me and I just let him know 'Look, I've got 40, I don't know why you're talking to me. I don't know why they said they thought I was talking to Jim but it was just people being competitive in the game talking."
— Eric Woodyard (@E_Woodyard) February 26, 2020
LaVine continued: "I've got to do a better job. The cameras have been following me lately so people are going to make their own assumptions on what's going on between me and Jim or me and the team but our relationship is fine. I'm a competitive and fiery guy on the court."
— Eric Woodyard (@E_Woodyard) February 26, 2020
I take LaVine at his word.
Want to make a case LaVine dislikes Boylen? You’ll just have to point to all the other evidence.