CHARLOTTE – This Bulls roster was built with the intent to help elevate Zach LaVine and Lauri Markkanen to stardom.
That doesn’t mean the two pillars have earned the title of captain.
Not yet, at least.
Coach Jim Boylen announced on Wednesday that his locker room had not only spoken, but also voted, naming Thaddeus Young and Otto Porter team captains for the 2019-20 season.
A slap in the face to LaVine and Markkanen?
Call it more of a motivation.
Either way, Boylen made it very clear that the title of captain means something to him, and should mean something to the roster.
“Captains are very important to me in my career,’’ Boylen said. “I’ve always thought it’s big to the leadership of your team. I’m thrilled with the two players that the team voted on having as our captains. We wanted training camp to go by. We wanted everybody to get a chance to be together and see how people operate. And so we voted on it [Tuesday].’’
As far as who his players selected, Boylen wasn’t the least bit surprised.
“I was not,’’ Boylen said of Young and Porter. “They’ve demonstrated an ability to put the team above themselves and the ability to communicate with their teammates in a positive way. I haven’t felt they’re worried about getting liked. They’re worried about getting it right. Something we talk about here is leadership over liker-ship. And I think they have a great feel of that.’’
Porter was honored to be given the title, but seemed much more excited about Young wearing that “C.’’
“Yeah, that’s why we got him,’’ Porter said of Young. “That older veteran that’s been there and done it multiple times. Guys can look at that for inspiration. Guys want to be a professional like him, be in the league a long time like him.’’
Coincidentally, the naming of the captains will also lead to a regathering of the leadership committee. That group of players became big news last season, as the committee was formed in the wake of Boylen’s takeover of the coaching seat.
It was to act as a buffer between Boylen and the locker room, and according to Boylen, is still an important aspect of his roster.
“The leadership group has not disintegrated,’’ Boylen said. “It’ll be structured with the help of the captains. I felt the captains was the first step to that.’’
Powder blue homecoming
Coby White not only made his NBA regular-season debut against the Hornets, but did so in the state in which he grew up in and played college basketball.
Of course it meant something to the rookie from the University of North Carolina.
“It’s just a blessing for me, super blessed to have my first game in my home state means a lot, but you just try to go out there and start the season in the right direction,’’ White said.
Growing concerns
Reserve forward Chandler Hutchison (hamstring) was with the team on this road trip and continued to progress, but Boylen admitted that the second-year player has lost a lot of practice time since suffering the injury back in September.
“I’m concerned about it,’’ Boylen said. “My coaches do a heck of a job of keeping people ready with video and walk-throughs, and we have early script and all that stuff. He’s going to have to just dive into that when we get the green light that he’s full go. We’ll get him back to speed.
“Working has never been a problem for him.’’
