Bulls coach Jim Boylen is reversing his stance on not starting rookie guard Coby White for the rest of the season, according to Rob Schaefer of NBC Sports Chicago. With the playoffs out of reach, White may be inserted into the starting lineup soon as the team focuses on developing players for next season.
“I think that day is probably coming,” Boylen said after practice this morning. “We’ve talked all year about developing and winning. Is that day coming? I would say, ‘Yes, probably.’ When, I’m not exactly sure.”
White is making a strong case for a starting role with his recent performance. He is averaging 27.7 points and 3.9 assists over the past seven games, and Schaefer notes that his defense and decision making have improved.
“He’s been great, man,” Zach LaVine said. “Just seeing his growth over the last month, he’s getting better every game. Even if it’s not like he’s getting 30 like he was, he’s still doing things that we’re progressing on. He’s growing every game.”
There’s more from Chicago:
- Shaquille Harrison used his new-found 3-point stroke to put up a career-high 25 points last night, Schaefer writes in a separate story. He has made nine of his last 11 from beyond the arc after shooting 27.7% on 3-pointers for his career. With restricted free agency looming this summer, Harrison is looking for any edge he can find to prove his worth. “I was undrafted, I had a couple offers coming out of high school,” he said. “I’ve always been that last guy they’re looking at, and I knew I had to make an impression that one opportunity or chance I get. So, it’s usual for me, it’s nothing new. I take pride in that, a lot of guys can’t do that.”
- Boylen is denying reports of a rift with senior advisor Doug Collins, relays K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports. The dispute reportedly involves Collins’ presence at coaching staff meetings. “All my interaction with Doug has been very positive. He’s been in my meetings and on the floor with the team,” Boylen said. “I don’t control his schedule or if he’s here or not here. We’ve had a very good, close relationship since he’s been here.”
- Despite another disappointing season, Boylen continues to have strong backing from ownership and executive vice president John Paxson, Johnson writes in another piece.
Doug Collins, should have no say for any basketball team.
He wasted 6 years of MJ’s career. Wasted 3 years of Grant Hill’s career. Probably is the reason Kwame Brown was garbage. He couldn’t develop a freaking cold. Vucevic is one of the luckiest people, he got traded away and didn’t have to get buried on the bench by Doug Collins for more than his rookie season.
Doug Collins is in the same category to me as the Coleangelos. No reason they should ever be involved in basketball still.
5* of MJ
Where’s Shaq fan formerlyz?– this Shaq, now listed at 6-7, has not put up such numbers at Kentucky or the Suns’ GL.
Whoever figures out he needs to be a rotation player for them is going to be very happy. Now he keeps getting better. Please someone be smart enough to give him an actual contract. Wish the Heat needed a guard right now.
If it wasn’t for the Knicks the Bulls would be a bigger story, so disfunctuonal.