Efficiency, spectacle and victory. Coby White did everything right on Wednesday to extend the Bulls' season by at least one game. The Chicago leader tore the Hawks defense to pieces to ensure a quiet success for his team. In his usual register, all aggressiveness and rhythm, White delivered the best performance of his career, in one of the most decisive moments possible. To the point of imitating certain giants of his franchise.
The Chicago guard became the second player in the annals of the Bulls to accumulate 40 points and 5 assists without committing a single loose ball in a match, in the company – obviously – of Michael Jordan, author of this performance five times. His 42 points – accompanied by 9 rebounds and 6 assists – are the second best mark in the history of the play-in, and a confirmation of his very good season. “ I'm really happy with my progress, the work is finally paying off » he was satisfied after the meeting. “ I wanted to take advantage of the opportunity the Bulls gave me. »
Elusive Coby White
Among the most serious contenders for the title of best progress of the season, Coby White displayed his offensive palette on Wednesday. As usual, he impressed with his ability to pick up the pace on his first step. Against the Hawks who were not really inspired defensively, White delighted in staggered supports and spin moves to open up wide access to the circle. To the point of giving the feeling of going a speed faster than everyone else without ever forcing anything, for an outing of 15/21 shooting, and 100% success during his first ten in the racket. The contrast with Trae Young in difficulty (22 points but at 4/12, and 6 lost balls) was all the more striking.
Small downside to this dream evening for “Bip-Bip” White, his 42 points will not technically be counted as his career record, since the play-in matches are not counted. “ This will clearly remain my career best, it's on the stat sheet there » he retorted with a smile. “ He did a good job playing aggressively, he took his 3-point shots when he needed to » analyzed coach Billy Donovan. “ And he made a lot of good passes for the guys, I think he played a very complete match. I know that 42 points is huge, really phenomenal. But I think it was really very complete. He defended, distributed, accelerated… He made the game easy for his teammates. »
From open house operation to “trench warfare”
Acclaimed by the United Center, White said: so lucky to be in this position“. “ My teammates and the staff continued to give me confidence day after day. Those chants from the audience… It was a crazy feeling, and it was a crazy time for that to happen. It looked like a playoff atmosphere, the room was on fire tonight. »
After the passivity of Atlanta, the Bulls will now have to deal with a completely different pedigree, the Heat, outgoing finalist and injured beast after their setback against the Sixers, but especially the concern around Jimmy Butler's knee. “ It's going to be trench warfare, a dog fight.” promises Coby White. “We know that Miami knows us well. They're a little different from when we played them, with Delon Wright, Patty Mills… They added some real good players. We have to be ready to fight and give everything on the pitch. »
