NEWSLETTER
Damn, this feels good.
Broadcast Info
Preseason Game 1: Houston Rockets at Chicago Bulls at 7:00 p.m. CT on NBA TV
Chicago Bulls
Projected Starters:
1. Coby White
2. Denzel Valentine
3. Shaquille Harrison
4. Lauri Markkanen
5. Wendell Carter Jr.
Injury Report: Thaddeus Young OUT (lower left leg infection), Denzel Valentine OUT (Hamstring), Garrett Temple OUT (COVID-19 List)
Houston Rockets
Projected Starters:
1. John Wall
2. Eric Gordon
3. Danuel House
4. PJ Tucker
5. Christian Wood
Injury Report: James Harden OUT (COVID protocols), Sterling Brown OUT (COVID protocols)
What to Watch For
• Is the Coby White hype justified? This is a question we shouldn’t try to answer after just one preseason game. However, it’s a simple fact that all we’ve heard from coaches and players alike over the past couple of months is how much progress White has made. Specifically, since training camp started, he has arguably been the most praised player. Guys like Billy Donovan, Zach LaVine, and Lauri Markkanen have all spoken about his rise in leadership. The second-year point guard has been deemed far more vocal and far more equipped to handle facilitating duties. Tonight will be his first real shot to show those outside the Bulls organization that he has what it takes to be the floor general this team desperately needs.
• I don’t expect to see a completely different White tonight, but I will be looking for a much more aware White. Does he look for the best available shot before looking for his own? How much more comfortable is he in the half-court? Will he attack the basket more? How passive is he alongside Zach LaVine? Can the two promote ball movement together? Again, when it comes to any of these questions, tonight is not the end all be all. Instead, tonight will offer us a starting point to see how long it might take to answer these questions.
• The next thing we should all watch is the style of play. Donovan has switched the scheme on both ends of the floor, opting for drop coverage on defense and a more motion-based offense. He has thus far preached an equal opportunity approach, which is not what we’ve seen this team do in the past. On offense, I’ll be very curious to see how instantaneous the buy-in has been and how disciplined the players can be. In other words, how far along is the new system? Will LaVine revert to ISO ball? Will Markkanen be aggressive? Can Carter Jr. take his open shots? Sorry, I have a lot of questions.
• Speaking of the backcourt, the time is now to figure out how to split the workload. Markkanen and Carter Jr. are both supposed to take on a bigger role offensively. Finding out how to make that work will not be easy, and it’s also why we could see one or the other staggered into the second unit. Considering Donovan said he plans to test this out, I wouldn’t be surprised if this preseason both Carter Jr. and Lauri Markkanen see some of their minutes with the second unit.
Get Caught Up
LIVE: Bulls vs. Rockets Pregame Media Availability – 12.11.2020 https://t.co/3PGSfb6yKi
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) December 11, 2020
Billy Donovan said pregame plan for Otto Porter Jr. is extensive minutes in first half and nothing in second half.
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) December 11, 2020
Thad Young has a lower leg infection "that's not too terrible," Billy Donovan says. After shootaround today, doctors advised he sits out tonight, so he will.
— Cody Westerlund (@CodyWesterlund) December 11, 2020
With a Starting Role Within Reach, Coby White Says His Decision-Making Has Come “A Long Way”https://t.co/JYGAiefsAC
— Bleacher Nation Bulls (@BN_Bulls) December 8, 2020
Billy Donovan: Expect “Different Combinations” Over the Bulls Preseason Gameshttps://t.co/9ZceKSNsGA
— Bleacher Nation Bulls (@BN_Bulls) December 9, 2020
Billy Donovan Looking to Run a 9 or 10-man Rotation, Possibly Stagger Startershttps://t.co/VxS9ARock7
— Bleacher Nation Bulls (@BN_Bulls) December 11, 2020
