The sun has finally decided to grace us with its presence, but the cold has no subsided. Normally, I’m all for winter. Sweaters, hot drinks, eating yellow snow, it’s all right up my ally. However, I do find myself missing some warmth right about now.
Maybe a trip to Spring Training has my name on it? Hm.
Let’s get weird! Today marks the 27-game countdown to the end of the Bulls regular season. Sitting at a not-so-comfortable 19-36 record, the Bulls playoff hopes appear to be thrown out the window, run over by a semi, and then thrown in the back of a garbage truck. The team might be only five games out of the 8th seed, but with one of the hardest schedules remaining in the NBA and no clear indication that this unit can work under Jim Boylen, a last-second run is highly unlikely. The plan now should be on-court development. Specifically, it’s time for Coby White to get a larger workload, and fortunately, that seems to be on the agenda:
With Dunn, Hutchison, and Porter all on the injury report, a Coby-LaVine-Sato backcourt could be an interesting trio to get a greater look at. On the season, these three players have clocked the third-least amount of minutes out of any three-man combination, per Basketball-Reference. However, per 100 possessions, this combo has the second-best 3-point shooting percentage out of any trio and – somehow – the second-best ORB% and fourth-best DERB%. I mean, that might just be stats being weird, but maybe the extra length in the backcourt is a good thing? Regardless, this combination should probably see a lot more clock moving forward, and with Satoransky’s prior experience at the three, the Bulls should encourage White to facilitate the show. Satoransky can focus a bit more on rebounding and attacking the rim. White can get more experience as a true point guard. LaVine can do LaVine things.
K.C. Johnson touched on exactly this topic (among many other things) in his latest mailbag: “It’s almost certain he’ll get some starts, possibly as early as Thursday. And, yes, the Bulls need to develop the point guard aspects of his game more.” Before the All-Star Break, I was completely okay with White’s usage. The 19-year-old was able to transition into the NBA at his own pace and have little pressure as a microwave scorer off the bench. Although, I think it’s fair to say this role is what has also resulted in him being one of the worst statistical shooters in the NBA (out of all the players who’ve performed in more than 50 games this season, White ranks third-to-last in field-goal percentage (37.0%)). But this just doesn’t worry me and it shouldn’t worry you either. That said, it is time to hone his craft and put him around some players that can better help him succeed (in other words, start him and his majestic hair).
WOAH, LOOK! Wendell and Otto are doing basketball things!
https://twitter.com/chicagobulls/status/1229925846372233216?s=20
The Athletic’s Darnell Mayberry gave the Bulls a report card, and I don’t recommend they show their parents. Mayberry handed the Front Office and Jim Boylen a solid D for their efforts thus far this season. Generous much? And the highest grades (B) were awarded to Zach LaVine, Tomas Satoransky, and Wendell Carter Jr. Give it a read.
The Daily Herald’s Mike McGraw adds a bit to the Coby White discussion, speaking with the rookie about staying patient and adding to his game.
ALERT: MORE FRONT OFFICE SHENANIGANS:
How sad was All-Star Weekend for the Chicago Bulls, Jake Malooley walks you through it:
DON’T. MESS. WITH. THE. GOAT.
https://twitter.com/HistoryJumpman/status/1230337454592286721?s=20
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