Zach LaVine got to his feet as the tribute video ended on the large scoreboard, acknowledging the applause that was raining down.
He waved to the different sections of the United Center — the same building that cheered him for eight seasons — and then in one quick motion thumped his fist onto the left side of his chest.
For that brief second his heart was back in Chicago again. A reminder he was once a Bull.
Then he wasn’t, and that’s when the highlights stopped on Wednesday.
Thanks to a 27-point scoring night from Matas Buzelis, the Bulls ruined LaVine’s first return trip to the United Center since he was traded to the Kings last February, pulling away in the second half with the 126-113 victory.
“Not as emotional as you would think,” LaVine said of his night. “This felt like I came home. I love Chicago. Through ups and downs, I grew my family here. I became a man here. This wasn’t like it happened and it’s over. I’ll always love Chicago.
“You got to ride the roller coaster. I always tried to do the best I could with (the Bulls). I never doubted my talents and the way I approached the game here. I know I did a lot in Chicago as a person. I just wish I could have won here. We just didn’t get it done. I played to the best of my ability. Like I said, nothing but love for me here.”
LaVine, who finished with 30 points, wasn’t alone in getting nostalgic, either. Joining him was former Bulls teammate DeMar DeRozan, who was sent to Sacramento months before the LaVine trade deadline deal. The only difference was DeRozan had his return and tribute video last season, so was just a passenger for LaVine’s night.
That doesn’t mean it wasn’t emotional for all involved.
“People get a chance to see the talent level and the performance, and just how elite players they are, but you’re fortunate as a coach to get to know them as people, and I admire both of them as guys,” Bulls coach Billy Donovan said. “They’re really good with their families, real easy to deal with, good guys.”
Donovan was able to catch up with both of them and wasn’t alone. Veteran Nikola Vucevic was so excited to see them when he arrived pregame that he went from parking his car, straight into the Kings locker room, still in his street clothes.
The bro hugs were flowing.
Another reminder that while that group may have never fulfilled the promise the organization was hoping for, they still shared a strong bond.
“While they were here, both of them were committed to doing what was necessary,” Donovan added. “I just enjoyed being around both of them as people. They were great guys. Both of them brought different things to the table while they were out there on the court, but I don’t think you can dispute their talent level, their abilities, and what they’ve done throughout their careers.”
Careers that are on the back-9, with LaVine now 30 and DeRozan 36. A perfect night for the 21-year-old Buzelis and the run-and-gun Bulls to tee off.
LaVine and DeRozan represented Bulls of yesterday, while Buzelis is now. So even when the veterans built a 12-point first-half lead for the visiting team, it was only a matter of time. Buzelis made sure of that by cutting into that lead right before half with two quick baskets and then haunting them the second half with 10 points and a team-best plus/minus of plus-16.
“I really like how driven he is to be a great player,” Donovan added of Buzelis.
