With two starters and one reserve sidelined due to long-term injuries, Bulls forward DeMar DeRozan has assumed a bigger responsibility offensively, writes K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago. Star shooting guard Zach LaVine, center Nikola Vucevic and reserve forward Torrey Craig are all on the shelf, which has compelled DeRozan to play an average of 38.7 minutes per game this month.
DeRozan suggested that his veteran awareness has helped him find moments in a game where he can tactically rest, even when he’s on the hardwood.
“Me just knowing when a TV timeout is coming,” DeRozan said. “Me knowing a foul is going to happen at some point. Me understanding if you need to tie your shoe, it’s a lot of little things that go into it. If you’re not in the penalty, you can take a foul… Playing so long, you kind of understand when a stoppage is going to come and take advantage of those moments. When a timeout comes, sit there until that two minutes, 30 seconds is up. Just take advantage of the little gaps when you can because you know you want to be out there.”
Head coach Billy Donovan acknowledges he is somewhat worried about the mileage he’s putting on the 34-year-old.
“I’m concerned about that,” Donovan said. “I mean, he’s great. I talk to him all the time. But it’s kind of the situation we’ve been in with Torrey out, Vooch out and Zach out. I want to be mindful of that and always talk and communicate with him. He has played a lot of minutes and I probably need to look at that.”
There’s more out of Chicago:
- Bulls point guard Coby White praised his teammates for their resilient resurgence following the team’s nadir thus far this season, a 124-97 blowout loss to the Celtics on November 28, writes Johnson in a separate piece. “At that moment, when adversity hit and we were at our lowest this season, we could’ve all grew apart,” White said. “Instead of doing that, we all came together. I think that contributes to how we played in the month of December.” Chicago has gone 9-5 this month. In December, White is averaging 22.6 PPG on .469/.402/.815 shooting, along with 6.4 RPG and 5.7 APG, across 14 bouts.
- Billy Donovan revealed that LaVine, still dealing with right foot inflammation, could participate in contact practice for the Bulls late next week, Johnson writes in an additional article. “If (his recovery) continues to go like it’s going, I think that’s a very, very strong possibility,” Donovan said. After a two-game East Coast road trip, Chicago will return home for a game against the Hornets on Friday. “He has responded well [to treatment],” Donovan added.
- In case you missed it, the present trade market for LaVine, a maximum-salaried former All-Star, remains fairly limited.
“DeRozan revealed that he has a covert strategy for carving out rest for himself, even when he’s on the hardwood.” Hopefully it isn’t one he devised in conjunction with LaVine.
“fairly finite”
Can something be fairly infinite?
This is crazy but subtraction has made the Bulls better.
LaVine and Vooch are out and the team is rolling.
Biggest problem with the CBA is that you have to overpay mediocre players like they are stars, assuming you are maxed out, you cant replace them, either overpay or rebuild
The Bulls beating any team without LaVine, Vucevic and Torrey Craig is a great feat. Donovan is a good coach.
Coby White is low key balling
22.6 points per game with 6.4 boards and 5.7 assists, shooting 47% from the field and 40% from 3, that’s extremely tough and no one’s talking about it.
Secondly Bulls need to trade Vuce
My suggestion
Vuce to the lakers for Rui and Christie
Christie is a solid young player and he could develop nicely into their starting SG once LaVine gets traded. He’d pair nicely with White. Rui is also a solid young player still and he could add depth to the forwards. Gets you out of the Vuce deal and I think he could work well in LA with Bron and AD. Not like they are giving up an awful lot either
They should have just let him walk. They are not getting much for a big slow that isn’t a rim protector.
Rui is a better overall player at this stage. LAL has Christian Wood and don’t even use him. Wood and Vuc are not that different.
D.Ham definitely be having me question his rotations, Christian Wood should be playing more. Seems like he wants a fast paced team that just isn’t built like that.
Maybe I don’t watch the enough games but I always thought Christian Wood is a talent. Can’t understand why Wood hasn’t made an impact with some team. Wood is now with his 8th team.
Bulls whom are afraid to make a move…
Haven’t been a Derozan fan, I don’t think his game translates into the postseason, but if you have a young roster that you trying to teach how to win day in and day out, this is the guy.
Man I got Coby White on my fantasy team. I need to know what to do with him, should I try to trade him now before LaVine is back?
I don’t think so, honestly. I think LaVine isn’t going to be a Bull much longer anyways, so I’d definitely hold onto White.
Even with LaVine, I think Donovan will still prioritize White and his continued development. It’s possible his stats may suffer a bit, due to LaVine coming back, but, yeah, I think his stay will be short-lived.
Let’s say, worst case scenario, and they try to boost LaVine’s trade value and feed him the ball more like before. Ultimately, I think the Bulls will just take whatever ends up being the best offer for LaVine, and he’ll be gone by the deadline.
If you don’t think you can wait that long, and White’s performance is pivotal to your success, then I say go ahead and trade him.
If you’re atop the standings, and you can afford a slight drop-off from White and afford to wait it out possibly, keep him. I think keeping him will pay off for the final stretch of the season.
Just my two cents, but, either way, best of luck to you.
It’s odd to me how many people fantasize about being stressed out