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Alex Caruso believes Zach LaVine and Nikola Vucevic will get their rhythm back soon enough

Originally posted on Chicago Bulls on SI
By Stephen Beslic | Last updated Jan 8, 2024 9:08 AM ET

Though the Chicago Bulls came away victorious in their last game against the Charlotte Hornets, veteran guard Alex Caruso believes the team still has another level it can get to once Zach LaVine and Nikola Vucevic get their legs under them.

LaVine recently came back from a lengthy absence due to a sore foot, while Vucevic missed five games because of an adductor injury. The two All-Stars returned to action last Friday to help the Bulls pull off a 104-91 win.

Rusty as expected

While the aforementioned players played solid basketball, they weren't quite at their best. LaVine and Vucevic came off the bench and combined for 26 points. According to Caruso, it's only a matter of time before they regain their form and help the team reach its full potential.

“They looked rusty, and that's kind of expected,” Caruso said. “I can feel for them because I've been in that position.”

The injury that Caruso was referring to was the fractured wrist that he suffered on January 22, 2022, when he got taken down by then-Milwaukee Bucks wingman Grayson Allen on his drive to the basket.

“Two years ago, missing six weeks with my wrist, and then coming back, it feels foreign. But for the most part, I thought they did well. We pretty much picked up back in the schemes of the stuff we've been trying to do,” Caruso shared.

Now that most of the Bulls are healthy

The Bulls still miss Torrey Craig, who suffered an acute sprain of his right plantar fascia and will be out for two months. However, the Bulls’ “Big 3” of LaVine, Vooch, and DeMar DeRozan is back, and Caruso believes good things can happen.

“We've had stretches where we've played really good as a team when everybody is out there,” Caruso said.

“There's no reason with those two guys, who have each been in the league for a decade-plus, we can't do what we want to do. It's nothing out of their capabilities.”

For LaVine, he believes it’s only a matter of time and reps before he regains his rhythm.

“I’ve always been a rhythm guy; that rhythm comes back with playing and feeling out the game,” said LaVine.

“The more I play I’ll get my rhythm, but it shouldn’t be hard. I’ve played 600, 700 games in my career so far.”

This article first appeared on Chicago Bulls on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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