Jim Boylen is willing to play the long game.
At least as long as this compressed NBA preseason will allow.
That’s why the Bulls coach was still staying mum on naming a starting point guard, with the tip-off on the regular season less than two weeks away.
“I think we’re working this process,’’ Boylen said. “Every day, there is more clarity on what you like, what you don’t like, who fits, who doesn’t fit. Not only in that position but other situations. We can’t play everybody. From Day 1, I said we’re going to have to share and become a team where sacrifice is involved. That day is coming, not just for that lead guard position but other ones too.’’
When asked if that day was Thursday, however, Boylen was tactically keeping that final decision close to the vest.
“Not today,’’ he responded. “We’re further along with that. But I’m not ready to give that up yet.’’
He doesn’t have to.
Not only do the numbers and results through the first two preseason games show the winner of that vacancy at the starting point guard spot — sorry, the Bulls are choosing to label it the “lead guard’’ spot — but the numbers indicated the likely starter well before training camp even started.
When the Bulls made the commitment to acquire Tomas Satoransky in a sign-and-trade with Washington, extending him with a three-year, $30 million contract back in July, it was obvious that Satoransky was the front-runner, unless Kris Dunn or Coby White came in and were flat-out spectacular.
While both have been good, it wasn’t enough to push Satoransky out of that inside lane.
The first two preseason games only gave further evidence of that.
Yes, Dunn was solid in the start against Milwaukee, putting in 24 minutes in the loss, as well as scoring 11 points and finishing with three assists and three steals. He also finished minus-6 in the plus/minus category. Satoransky played 22 minutes against the Bucks, only scoring two points, but grabbed seven rebounds, handed out three assists and had five steals, finishing with a plus-three.
Then in Wednesday’s loss to New Orleans, Satoransky got the start, stumbled out of the gate in the first quarter, but still finished with 11 points, eight assists and five rebounds, as well as a plus-7. Dunn scored two points, but had five assists and five rebounds. What stood out? The minus-7 the team had with Dunn on the floor.
While there’s a lot of deception in simply relying on plus-minus, the simple eye test spoke volumes. The Bulls just looked better with Satoransky on the floor because of his versatility and the way the ball seems to move around.
Both concepts Boylen has preached the entire offseason.
“I think the ball was popping,’’ Boylen said of the movement taking place with Satoransky on the floor. “It’s something we’ve been talking about.’’
Once Boylen makes Satoransky official in the next few days, Dunn will still play an important role, running a second unit that will be hell-bent on locking down teams. That means a core of Dunn at the point, Thaddeus Young in the frontcourt, and Luke Kornet playing the role of rim protector. A skill the Bulls feel he’s very underrated at.
That means White will be a reserve combo guard.
As for Satoransky, it’s about continuing to get comfortable with his fellow starters.
“You see some film from last year,’’ Satoransky said of fitting in with the starters. “Then playing with them helps you the most. I’m a guy that likes to play with the players and kind of learn it from that experience, but it’s still a process.’’
