Call it the “vet lineup’’ or simply the closers, but what has become evident is don’t discount old man strength.
Bulls coach Billy Donovan hasn’t.
While rotations and lineup combinations will remain fluid as Donovan searches for the best mixes, he seems to have settled on a group he likes to finish close games with. At least for now.
Yes, second-year guard Coby White has been a part of that unit, but there’s also Garrett Temple, 34, Thaddeus Young 32, and 27-year-old Otto Porter Jr. Throw in Zach LaVine, and it’s obvious the trust Donovan has in his vets.
“I think we have some veteran presence there,’’ Temple said on Tuesday, when asked what that group brings to the end of the game. “It obviously allows us to switch a little more if need be, play different ways defensively. You got five people that can really pass/shoot/dribble if need be as well, so I think it gives us some versatility as well as like I said some veteran presence, people that know how to finish games.’’
There’s a method behind that small-ball madness, too.
It’s worked, but also it’s a great teaching moment for all the young players on the roster.
“You want to win games, you want to teach young guys, the ultimate thing to teach young guys is how to win,’’ Temple said. “So no matter what you’re teaching, if you’re teaching and continue losing they really aren’t learning much. So teach good habits and obviously it’s difficult in this season with less practice time to get drills in and teach during practice, so we’re going to have to teach on the fly and we’re going to have to learn on the fly as players.
“But at the end of the day, as long as we’re winning as well as learning a few things along the way, I think that’s the goal. We’ve done a pretty good job of that as of late.’’
Entering the start of the West Coast trip in Portland, they’ve done more than a pretty good job compared to the start of the season, when Young and Temple were on the shelf.
Sure, there was the Friday blowout in Milwaukee, but since the 0-3 start, the Bulls had won three of their last four games, and the vets have played a key role in that.
“I think having that veteran presence, you know with Thad, Otto, Garrett, they’ve all been winners in this league,’’ White said. “You got to have that closing presence. They never get rattled, they’re always calm, always at ease. So with their vibe and their presence out there, you can’t help but to be at ease and to just play within yourself.
“And those guys do a good job instilling confidence in you down the stretch. They’re always talking, giving you things to help you mentally out there, so you have fun playing with those guys because you’re always learning from those caliber of players.’’
Playing mentor
Temple has been on 10 different NBA rosters throughout his career, so he’s seen his share of different point guards.
So what does he think White needs to work on?
“Decision-making is going to be really big,’’ Temple said. “That’s the thing that really sets the best point guards apart, being able to make decisions. It’s a thin line between the best and guys that aren’t the best. I think decision-making, keeping his turnovers low and just understanding when to be aggressive and when to be aggressive for the team, instead of scoring himself.’’
