The Bulls still may target a point guard in free agency this summer, but Coby White is showing indications that he can handle the job, writes K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago. While it has taken a while for White to adjust to the NBA, the 21-year-old is making progress at the end of his second season. He had 17 points and 10 assists Thursday night, marking his first game with double-digit assists since January 10.
White has returned to the starting lineup after Tomas Satoransky took over as the starting point guard for 15 games. Coach Billy Donovan believes White has benefited from playing alongside center Nikola Vucevic, who was acquired at the trade deadline, and a slower pace has also worked to White’s advantage.
“I’ve always had perseverance,” White said. “But this year, with ups and downs and being pushed constantly, from the coaching staff to front office to my teammates, I think for me learning to play the point guard position at a high level in the NBA, which is continuing to stay focused and continuing to stay within yourself.”
There’s more from the Central Division:
- The Cavaliers have received a hardship exception continuation to sign Anderson Varejao for the rest of the season, tweets Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com. Varejao’s first 10-day day contract has expired, but he has re-signed for the season’s final three days. This was Cleveland’s plan from the time Varejao was added to the roster, Fedor adds.
- Even though he’s a long shot for the award, Pacers center Myles Turner stated his case for Defensive Player of the Year honors Thursday night, according to J. Michael of The Indianapolis Star. Turner leads the league with 3.4 blocked shots per game, but he has missed 23 games due to injury and has no timetable to return. “I understand defense isn’t all about blocks,” Turner said. “That’s something I do best. After this season I’m going to lead the league in blocks in two out of the last three years. I defend the perimeter. I’m one of the better pick-and-roll defenders in the league. My team needs me out there. When I’m not out there, the difference is glaring.”
- Bucks guard Jrue Holiday earned a $255K bonus by playing in his 58th game of the season Thursday night, tweets Bobby Marks of ESPN. Holiday secured another bonus earlier this week for total minutes played.
I suspect Coby White would be happy to move to the 2 if LaVine leaves. The 1 can be bigger, fine (Satoranski).
This is the best statistical LaVine year yet… contract has one year left. He seems smoother, more composed now… disappears sometimes… like he is saving himself more than trying to save the team… amiright?
No not right.
He is becoming more of a team player, especially since Vooch joined. Assists are way up, and he is now exerting energy on defense, even if he is not DPOY yet . Coby should be a 2, 6th man role like Ben Gordon was a decade ago. Great catch and shoot player, demands coverage and opens up shots for others. This new found passing ability meshes well with that role. Vooch double teams often open him up for shots from the corner. He has found his role and it is a good one. Lavine sees how the pieces can fit now and Markannen has been reduced to a top of the circle 4th option. He will be gone, Lavine will get a payday, especially if he keeps improving his defense. He loves Thad Young so if TY is traded, he may examine the market. But Young would only be traded for an impact PG, so how Lavine reacts to that might be ambivalent to positive. He wants to win, and knows he can be a “go to” guy in Q4. Vooch takes pressure off of him early in games, and he is getting smarter every day in shot choices, due to vet mentor ship. I doubt he leaves.
I haven’t heard anything negative from him like in the past, as if either he gave up or bought in… you’re prob right, the latter. His PER has risen above 20.
Vooch looks like he’s become an expert at being tall!—he makes his baskets look easy, even arty. It has to inspire confidence.