*Drum roll please*
The Chicago Bulls announced their first starting lineup of the preseason on Friday morning, and it turns out the five-man squad is exactly as we expected (and hoped!).
Our starters tonight vs. Houston:
Coby White
Zach LaVine
Otto Porter Jr.
Lauri Markkanen
Wendell Carter Jr. pic.twitter.com/JVURV6g7pM— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) December 11, 2020
Beautiful.
Yesterday, the Bulls game notes put Thaddeus Young in the starting small forward slot, which raised a few eyebrows. At the same time, Donovan has told reporters several times that he plans to try different combinations throughout the preseason, as well as possibly different starting lineups. We thought tonight would be the first example of such trial and error, but it appears the new head coach will instead test out the expected group.
Of course, this isn’t yet the confirmed starting lineup for the regular season, but it does feel the most probable. And if it is, in fact, the group Donovan plans to run with, I’m all for getting them on the court as much as reasonably possible this preseason. The time to build chemistry is now.
Meanwhile, NBC Sports Chicago’s K.C. Johnson shared that Donovan plans to run a 9-man rotation in the first half. Then, based on Donovan’s prior comments, I think we should expect practically all of the starters to be sidelined for the second half. I’d say that’s good news for all us Bulls fans who want to see No. 4-overall pick Patrick Williams on the court. Donovan confirmed that the rookie will see action tonight despite his limited practice time, and I expect he continues to see plenty of minutes on the court over the next several games.
Billy Donovan notes that Patrick Williams will play tonight after just 8 practices. His advice for the rookie: “Be himself.”
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) December 11, 2020
Is it 7:00 p.m. yet?