Zach LaVine reportedly offered to pay Jim Boylen fines

Zach LaVine appreciates the way Chicago Bulls head coach Jim Boylen is standing up for his players and wants to show it.

According to ESPN’s Malika Andrews, LaVine reached out to the Bulls’ front office to offer to pay for Boylen’s fines. The coach incurred fines for picking up two technical fouls and being ejected during Friday night’s game against the Los Angeles Clippers.

Boylen and Doc Rivers were ejected at the same time for continuing to argue after being hit with technical fouls during the third quarter of the game.

Boylen said after the game that he was upset with the screens the Clippers were setting, including one that left Ryan Arcidiacono hurt.

Bulls coach Jim Boylen said he couldn’t remember being ejected during his career. Frustration came from 2nd hard screen by Clippers’ Montrezl Harrell. First one sent Ryan Arcidiacono to locker room. “They went after my second PG and I didn’t appreciate it. I let everyone know.” pic.twitter.com/n5NWLBkSlX

— Ben Golliver (@BenGolliver) March 16, 2019

LaVine appreciated that Boylen was defending his players.

“What Jim did, I personally respect that a lot,” LaVine told reporters after the game. “He really cares about us and he’s going to fight for us. That shows his true character the way he feels about us.”

This is a significant development because it wasn’t that long ago that LaVine was throwing shade at his coaches. The Bulls are only 19-51, but the reports of issues within the franchise are far less frequent these days. It seems the players and coaches are now on the same page.