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LaVine has 'nothing but love' for Bulls after losing return with Kings

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Clock Icon8 hoursBasketball

Zach LeVine says he has "nothing but love" for the Chicago Bulls after making his return to United Center with the Sacramento Kings.

The Bulls have made an impressive start to the NBA season, going 4-0 so far after a 126-113 win over the Kings on Wednesday.

LaVine scored 30 points in the game, more than anyone else on the court, but it was not enough to secure Sacramento a second win of the season.

Matas Buzelis got 27 points for the Bulls, with Josh Giddey adding 20 and Kevin Huerter getting 18 as Chicago stormed to the win.

LaVine spent eight seasons in Chicago and ranks in the top 10 in franchise history for points, 3s and made field goals, and he was full of praise for the Bulls, despite the Kings' loss.

"I love Chicago," LaVine said. "Through ups and downs. I've grown my family here. I've had major moments, low points. I became a man here.

"I know I did a lot of good in Chicago. I just wish I could have won more here.

"Sometimes you do the best you can. None of us try to lose, but you played the cards that you're dealt, and you play them to the best of your ability.

"I feel like I did that. I appreciate each and every moment that I've had here. I'll continue to be a fan of this team and this organization unless I'm playing against them. It's nothing but love for me."

The Bulls are 4-0 at the start of a season for the first time since 2021-22, which is also the last time they made it to the postseason.

After that, Chicago went on to lose the play-in tournament in three consecutive seasons, eventually opting to let some of their stars from 2021-22, including LaVine, leave.

"We saw a glimpse of how good we were [in 2021-22], but I think there's a lot of things that go into that as well," LaVine said.

"It takes a winning mindset from top to bottom, and we just didn't get it done. Sometimes you have to live with that. You have to look at yourself in the mirror and everybody else does as well, figuring out why it didn't work.

"But in this league, when it doesn't happen, then you've got to figure out. You restart, you rebuild, you go younger, and that's what they did. I respect their decision, and I'm glad to see how good they're doing right now."