White has been playing better since his benching and eventual return to the starting lineup, but is that enough for the front office to trust him as a consistent point guard going into next season?
Give guard Coby White some credit.
The Bulls second-year player has at least tried to change some minds about the offseason priority list his front office will be looking to upgrade.
The problem is it’s likely too late.
Just don’t tell that to White, who continued to promise that he’s been maturing as a point guard and that the best was yet to come.
“[The game’s] just kinda slowing down,’’ White said. “Like I always say, there’s always room for progress, so I know I got a long way to go, but it’s just slowing down, man. And, you know, my teammates are behind me, the coaching staff is behind me, everybody’s patient.’’
“Everybody’’ might be a stretch, especially since the front office was linked to talking to New Orleans about point guard Lonzo Ball back in March, and could be in play for him this summer.
But what White seems to be 100% accurate on is the game does appear to have slowed down for him.
After getting his turnovers down to start the month of April, he has gotten back to being a bit loose with the ball the last few weeks, but he’s also been a better distributor in that time.
What hasn’t suffered is his scoring, which is an aspect of White’s game that has always been a strength. Entering the Pistons game, White had scored at least 20 points in three of the last five games, including a 25-point showing in the Friday win over Boston in which he hit seven three-pointers.
“I’m just trying to focus on making the simple threes out there on the court, and just get who needs the ball in the spots where they want it,’’ White said of his recent approach.
What he hasn’t shown, however, is consistency.
That’s why the Bulls could very well look to add a proven point guard in free agency or trade, making White a combo guard off the bench, where he might be better suited.
Just don’t try convincing White of that.
“I know that this is what I want to do,’’ White said. “I know that this is what I work for each and every day. In the offseason, during the season … So I never really doubt myself. The people around me don’t even allow me to doubt myself, my circle don’t allow me to doubt myself. So I just continue to keep striving, continue to keep pushing. Everything will work itself out.’’
Buying in
Veteran Garrett Temple has played on six different teams in the last nine years, so the well-traveled guard knows a little bit about chemistry in the locker room and when it’s working.
That’s why Temple, a free agent, had no problem admitting on Sunday that he would welcome the opportunity to return to the Bulls next season and see this thing out a bit longer.
“I love what we’re doing here.’’ Temple said. “I love the coaching staff. I’m enjoying the front office. I’m really enjoying being around the guys.
“It’s COVID protocol so we haven’t gone out at all or anything. For example in Detroit [Saturday] night we were hanging out together in the lobby area, talking and playing cards. Those type of things. Not every team is like that. I enjoy being here. And I would love to see what we could do to progress this type of team. We have the talent. We’re young. We could make some great steps in the next year or two.’’
from Chicago Sun-Times - All https://ift.tt/3uAv5NY
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