Best scorer, best passer and co-best rebounder in the first preseason game lost to neighbor Milwaukee, Coby White had the worst start to a season. Even if it is only preparation, his output with 14 points, 6 assists and 6 rebounds in 23 minutes says a lot about the motivation with which the leader started this 2023/24 exercise. In the middle of a slew of backs within which the hierarchy remains to be defined, there is no doubt that he scored points with Billy Donovan.
The latter discussed the reasons why he placed Coby White as the starting conductor, even though he only did so twice during the entirety of the last regular season. And it starts with his state of mind.
“I’m very happy with him,” said Billy Donovan. “He’s always asking himself how he can improve. He has a provocative side, and I say that in the most respectful way possible. He is not defiant towards his coaches or his teammates. He’s just willing to do anything to find a solution, and he’ll never give up. He will try to improve. I think he’s improved in all aspects of his game. He’s become a lot more cerebral and he has a better understanding than when he was a rookie, which is normal.”
Expected as leader and leader
Billy Donovan also noted an improvement in communication and leadership, which suggests that Coby White is on the verge of reaching a new milestone.
“I think he found his voice. He has no problem saying it when guys aren’t doing things right.”he added. “My first year here, he was probably trying to figure things out and didn’t have much to say. Winning is important to him. Leading is important to him. If he continues to thrive in these areas, it will be beneficial for him and our team.”
The mental aspect being inseparable from his qualities as a pure basketball player, Coby White admitted to feeling more fulfilled. The reason ? He simply feels more listened to by his teammates.
“When you’re young, you can fall into this thing of saying: ‘I’m still young.’ Especially on a team where there are older guys who have won, who have made the playoffs several times. Alex Caruso was champion for example. So you start to put this thing in your head, to say to yourself: ‘They know more than me. They know better than me. My opinion doesn’t matter.confided Coby White after yesterday’s training. “I didn’t know how much people respected my opinion and I misjudged my relationship with each member of the team until last year. I continue to flourish in this area. And it feels natural to me at this point.”
Among those who accompanied him in this awareness, Coby White notably cited assistant coach Chris Fleming, who arrived in Chicago in 2019, like him, and the leader of the team, Zach LaVine.
“Chris has been by my side since I was drafted. He always believed in me, no matter what. But also, he didn’t just tell me what I wanted to hear. He told me what I needed to hear. And he always encouraged me to be more vocal,” he pointed out about Chris Fleming. “When he said that at the beginning, I thought more that he was talking about the field. But over time, I understood that it was more about being a leader, commanding the team, talking to the guys.”
Zach the big brother to guide him
It’s a bit the same thing for Zach LaVine, who has been there since his debut. The two “oldest” members of the Chicago locker room necessarily have a special relationship
“Zach watched me grow up in the NBA. Between him and me, our relationship goes beyond basketball. I’m grateful for that. He always believed in me, pushed me and gave me confidence”he continued. “He felt when I was at my lowest and when I was at my highest. When things were difficult for me, he would always come to me and say little things like, ‘Keep your head, brother. You are good. Remember your talent and what got you here. He’s always been like a big brother to me and someone, honestly, that I look up to. Not just on the field, but also in his life, given the way he takes care of his son. “He’s someone I can turn to in times of need.”
For his part, Zach LaVine assures that Coby White has not yet reached his best level and that this first promising outing therefore calls for others in the near future.
“Hard work always pays off in the end. So you will see the progress. I think he’s very confident right now. He plays well. He moves and plays as he seems to want to do. He is comfortable in this role, and we support him.”
Next test for Coby White’s Bulls tomorrow evening for their first home match, against the reigning champion.
| Coby White | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2019-20 | CHI | 65 | 26 | 39.4 | 35.4 | 79.1 | 0.4 | 3.1 | 3.5 | 2.7 | 1.8 | 0.8 | 1.7 | 0.1 | 13.2 |
| 2020-21 | CHI | 69 | 31 | 41.6 | 35.9 | 90.1 | 0.4 | 3.7 | 4.1 | 4.8 | 2.6 | 0.6 | 2.3 | 0.2 | 15.1 |
| 2021-22 | CHI | 61 | 28 | 43.3 | 38.5 | 85.7 | 0.3 | 2.7 | 3.0 | 2.9 | 2.3 | 0.5 | 1.2 | 0.2 | 12.7 |
| 2022-23 | CHI | 74 | 23 | 44.3 | 37.2 | 87.1 | 0.2 | 2.7 | 2.9 | 2.8 | 1.7 | 0.7 | 1.0 | 0.1 | 9.7 |
| Total | 269 | 27 | 41.9 | 36.7 | 85.4 | 0.3 | 3.0 | 3.4 | 3.3 | 2.1 | 0.6 | 1.5 | 0.1 | 12.6 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
