I’m heading down to Wrigleyville later today for the Cubs game, so I’d love it if mother nature would stop toying with me.
You know, I treat her well. I recycle and stuff. Can she just do me a solid this one time? If you read these bullets and your friends with her, just let her know please.
Earlier this week, we took a look at the long journey it takes to win Rookie of the Year. However, now we’re asking a more specific and realistic question about Coby White’s first-year: can he even average double-digits?
Only 7 rookie guards in #Bulls history have averaged at least 10 PPG, can Coby White join this exclusive list?
For the homers out there, this conversation isn’t meant for you. While we all like to see Coby White averaging at least 25-minutes/game and majestically sinking mid-range jumpers while his hair bounces effortlessly with every jump … it’ll probably be a much uglier road to NBA competency for the rookie. Don’t get me wrong, White has all the tools to become one of the top young guards in the league, but tempering expectations is our best bet to avoid a disappointed-fueled over-reaction. NBC Sports Chicago goes deeper into a discussion about White’s offense and the road to 10 ppg, so make sure you give it a read.
I believe White should become the 8th Bulls rookie guard to average double-digits, but I don’t think it will come easy. As of now, I envision a very inconsistent road for White at the start of the season, but mainly because of this coaching staff trying to figure out how to run their point guard rotation. With how ball-dominant LaVine is, I can see White having a bit of trouble adjusting to a more off-the-ball approach and sinking some spot-up looks. But when White goes in with the second unit, I can definitely see him carrying the scoring load. In either situation, he’ll have plenty of opportunities to score (we’re not even mentioning how many points he’ll probably get in transition), but it will all come down to how quickly he can find his touch against NBA-level defenders. White isn’t going to get to the basket as easily as he did in college, so finding his shot early-on is key.
In the past, White has been compared to players like Jamal Murray and De’Aaron Fox. Murray averaged 9.9 points per game after playing in all 82 games with 10 starts. Fox averaged 11.6 points per game after playing 73 games with 60 starts. Moral of the story, averaging 10 points per game isn’t easy.
Joakim Noah is, as the kids say, my spirit animal. “It’s part of the game!”
Forbes’ Morten Jensen provides a solid overview here of the Bulls current roster situation as well as key areas of the schedule to look out for. The Bulls are built to become one of the better, more well-rounded offenses in the Eastern Conference, but that’s doesn’t mean they will be. A lot has to go right for the Bulls this season (new coaching staff, next step for Markkanen/LaVine, free agents play well, etc.), and we have a long road ahead of us.
Via @Forbes/@ForbesSports – If the Bulls have any playoff aspirations this year, they will need to start strong, as their late-season schedule is absolutely brutal. They should also not sacrifice their entire offense just to post up more: https://t.co/ZazBVAMhDI
BLOCKS ON BLOCKS ON BLOCKS. If we can only confidently say one thing about Wendell Carter Jr after watching his 44-games last season, it’s that he can swat a basketball.
LaVine is continuing to put in the extra effort this offseason, and this time he did so with the recently retired Darren Collison. I guess Darren will ball with the Bulls but not sign with them *shrug emoji.*
Elias Schuster is the Lead Chicago Bulls writer at Bleacher Nation. He started with BN full-time in 2019 immediately after graduating from the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign with a degree in Journalism (yes, he started with the Jim Boylen Era). Since joining, Elias has been the driving force behind Bulls and NBA content for both the site and social accounts. You can follow him on Twitter/X @Schuster_Elias.
The Miami Heat have some serious concerns after their Play-In Tournament loss to the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday night. According to The Athletic's Shams Charania, Jimmy Butler is "feared" to have suffered an MCL injury in his knee. An MRI...
DeMar DeRozan is almost 35 years old and led the NBA in minutes this season. I want you to remember that as you watch what you're about to see. The Chicago Bulls' veteran forward was tearing apart the Atlanta Hawks...
The Chicago Bulls announced a little under two hours from tip-off that Ayo Dosunmu is cleared to make his return. The third-year guard missed the final four games of the regular season due to a quad contusion. He was listed...
The game we all knew was coming for the last few months is here. The Bulls host the Hawks in the 9v10 Play-In game tonight. https://twitter.com/chicagobulls/status/1780575841010815053 Game Info Atlanta Hawks (36-46) at Chicago Bulls (39-43) – 8:30 p.m. CT on...
As we near the NBA Playoffs and the Play-In Tournament gets underway, we have a TON going on around The Association. There are some superstar injury updates to address, an All-Star hanging up his sneakers, coaching moves, and a whole...
The Chicago Bulls are only a handful of hours away from hosting their first-ever Play-In Tournament game at the United Center. On the one hand, nobody is going to sit there and pretend competing in the 9v10 game is some...
In only a handful of hours, the Chicago Bulls will either be preparing for exit interviews or for the winner of Heat-76ers. And I truly don't know which way I'm leaning. https://twitter.com/chicagobulls/status/1780575841010815053 As recently as yesterday, I felt oddly confident...
Commissioner Adam Silver officially banned Jontay Porter from the NBA on Wednesday. The Toronto Raptors two-way forward was under investigation for suspicious betting activity. Large sums of money were wagered on Porter in two games earlier this season. Those bets...
Before the Chicago Bulls take on the Atlanta Hawks in the Play-In Tournament, DeMar DeRozan will take home some hardware. The NBA announced on Wednesday morning that DeMAr DeRozan took home the Community Assist Award for the month of March....
Drama didn't evade the Chicago Bulls this season. The organization had an opening night players-only meeting, a soft Zach LaVine trade request, a pair of season-ending injuries, and plenty of Billy Donovan speculation. But that's not all! According to NBC...
The Miami Heat have some serious concerns after their Play-In Tournament loss to the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday night. According to The Athletic's Shams Charania, Jimmy Butler is "feared" to have suffered an MCL injury in his knee. An MRI...
On Thursday, in a series opener at Oracle Park, Logan Webb takes the mound for the San Francisco Giants (8-11) versus Ryne Nelson and the Arizona Diamondbacks (9-10), with first pitch scheduled for 9:45 PM ET.If you're trying to watch...
In the opener of a four-game series, on Thursday, April 18 at 9:45 PM ET, the San Francisco Giants will host the Arizona Diamondbacks.Giants vs. Diamondbacks Series Info Diamondbacks @ Giants Time: Thursday, April 18 at 9:45 PM ET Giants...
In the opener of a four-game series, on Thursday, April 18 at 7:40 PM ET, the Chicago Cubs are hosting the Miami Marlins.Cubs vs. Marlins Series Info Marlins @ Cubs Time: Thursday, April 18 at 7:40 PM ET Cubs Starting...
DeMar DeRozan is almost 35 years old and led the NBA in minutes this season. I want you to remember that as you watch what you're about to see. The Chicago Bulls' veteran forward was tearing apart the Atlanta Hawks...
On Thursday at 7:40 PM ET, Michael Busch and the Chicago Cubs (11-7) play Luis Arraez and the Miami Marlins (4-15) at Wrigley Field.Keep reading to find out how to watch the Chicago-Miami matchup below.When is Cubs vs. Marlins and...
The New Orleans Pelicans are slight 1-point underdogs heading into Game 1 of the opening round of the NBA Playoffs against the Sacramento Kings at Smoothie King Center on Friday, starting at 9:30 PM ET on TNT. The matchup has...
I don't want to overreact to a relatively brief stretch of success, and I certainly don't want to jinx anything. But Christopher Morel has looked pretty darn solid at third base the last couple weeks, hasn't he? Maybe some of...
The Boston Red Sox are playing the Cleveland Guardians in a four-game series, and are trailing 2-0 -- the action resumes at 1:35 PM ET on Thursday.Red Sox vs. Guardians Series Info Guardians @ Red Sox Time: Monday, April 15...
The Texas Rangers are playing a four-game series against the Detroit Tigers, and are in front 2-1 going into the next matchup, at 1:10 PM ET on Thursday.Tigers vs. Rangers Series Info Rangers @ Tigers Time: Monday, April 15 at...