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, then in one quick motion thumped his fist on the left side of his chest.
For that brief second, his heart was back in Chicago, a reminder that he was once a Bull.
Then he wasn’t, and that’s when the highlights stopped Wednesday.
Led by 27 points from Matas Buzelis, the Bulls ruined LaVine’s first trip to the United Center since he was traded to the Kings last February, pulling away in the second half for a 126-113 victory.
“Not as emotional as you would think,” LaVine said. “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 had 30 points, wasn’t the only one getting nostalgic. Former Bulls teammate DeMar DeRozan, who was sent to Sacramento months before the LaVine trade-deadline deal, joined him. The only difference was DeRozan had his return and tribute video last season, so he was just a passenger on LaVine’s night.
But it still was emotional for all involved.
“People get a chance to see the talent level and the performance and just how elite they are as players, 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 and wasn’t alone. Bulls center Nikola Vucevic was so excited to see them when he arrived before the game that he went straight into the Kings’ locker room after parking his car, still in street clothes.
The bro hugs were flowing.
It was another reminder that while that group never fulfilled the promise the organization was hoping for, it still shared a strong bond.
“While they were here, both of them were committed to doing what was necessary,” Donovan said. “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.”
With LaVine now 30 and DeRozan 36, this was a perfect night for Buzelis, who’s 21, and the run-and-gun Bulls to tee off.
LaVine and DeRozan represented the Bulls of yesterday; Buzelis is now. So even when the veterans built a 12-point lead in the first half for the Kings, it was only a matter of time.
Buzelis made sure of that by cutting into that lead right before halftime with two quick baskets, then haunted them in the second half with 10 points.
“I really like how driven [Buzelis] is to be a great player,” Donovan said.
