Tomas Satoransky was still the starter on Saturday, and that’s not in danger of changing anytime soon.
What happens to the point guard minutes after the newest Bull gets through his first rotation each game, however?
Well, that’s anyone’s guess, and coach Jim Boylen isn’t about to apologize for all the different looks he’s been unveiling with his backcourt through the first three games of the regular season.
“Yeah, it’s a little bit of feel, it’s a little bit of gut, it’s what’s going on in the game,’’ Boylen said. “It’s matchups. There’s a lot of things that go through your head in those situations. Sometimes it’s just eye contact with a guy. You see he’s locked in, he’s checked in, and you’re not going to take him out. We discuss those things. We discuss them before the game and we discuss them in-game. ‘How we doing?’ ‘Where we at?’ ‘Who’s feeling good?’ ‘Where are we minutes wise?’ Those things are kind of what we get paid to do.’’
As far as Boylen was concerned, it’s also what his players are paid to accept.
“I have established with this group of guys from September that whoever is in the game, we’re going to have in the game and we expect them to play,’’ Boylen said. “If you’re not in the game then you’re expected to be ready to come in the game. It’s all hands on deck at every moment.’’
It’s that acceptance that has made Boylen’s life a lot easier.
In the loss in Charlotte, the coach was able to get Satoransky and Kris Dunn almost the same amount of playing time, with each just over the 24-minute mark. Rookie Coby White has also earned minutes, but has mostly played off the ball.
Then there’s Ryan Arcidiacono, who has also come in when Boylen has looked to go with a three-guard attack.
During the win over Memphis, Dunn saw over 26 minutes of playing time, while Satoransky was at the 22-minute mark. It wasn’t just because Satoransky was struggling with his shot, but he was also having troubles guarding Grizzlies rookie Ja Morant.
At the end of that game, however, White and LaVine were carrying the scoring load, so Boylen was subbing Satoransky and Dunn in and out for offense and defense. So yeah, it’s an on-going game of musical guards.
“I mean we all have one goal and that’s to win,’’ White said of the backcourt playing time. “If someone is hot or someone is playing well then they’re staying out there. It all depends. But at the end of the day we all want to win. No one really cares when they come in or how they come in, how much time they get.’’
A day closer
Chandler Hutchison continued working through his injured left hamstring on Saturday, and Boylen made it seem like it will be any day now for the second-year forward.
Considering Otto Porter Jr. took a nasty elbow in the second quarter against Toronto and had to leave the floor for awhile, Hutchison will be welcomed back with open arms. The Bulls are thin at that small forward spot, and Hutchison could help with that lack of depth.
“Hutch is a big wing, Hutch is what the league is,’’ Boylen said. “You know, 6-7, 6-8 guy that can guard multiple positions, he can handle the ball, he can get out and run. Our multiple-ball-handling system was put in with him in mind, him involved in it. We will not rush him back, he is closer than ever. He had a great workout [Saturday], and so we’ll keep doing the right thing with him.’’
