There has been a lot of talk about how Coby White’s game will translate to the NBA.
Even before the Bulls grabbed the guard out of North Carolina with the No. 7 overall pick last month, there was varying opinions on everything from White’s speed, to his shooting, to his decision-making.
With Summer League tipping off in Las Vegas Friday, talk time is over as the Bulls are poised to let the rookie start answering the questions about his game.
Well, at least if the ankle he tweaked last week allows him to.
Even if White is held out of the opening game against the Lakers, the ankle was minor enough where there wasn’t concern. After all, this is all about development now, and what better way to start it than a few weeks of summer school in Sin City?
Yes, the Bulls will also get to put eyes on the likes of second-round pick Daniel Gafford, second-year forward Chandler Hutchison, and G-League standout Walt Lemon Jr., but White is considered a game-changer, with the Bulls hoping his blinding speed adds an entirely new element to the offense.
“Well I think the most important thing for us is when the ball is in his hands,’’ coach Jim Boylen said of White and the impact he could make. “We have to run with him. We want to play faster. We want to play smart, but we want to play faster when it’s appropriate. He’s a guy that can make decisions on the move. We’ve got to get the rest of our team to run with him. That’s going to be our job, and I’m excited for that.’’
Not just words from Boylen, either, as one source said White has indeed pushed the pace of the entire offense in the practices leading into Summer League play.
What will be watched, however, is White learning that 100 mph is good, but sometimes an NBA game becomes a school zone, and speed has to be adjusted to that.
A part of his game he admittedly wanted to work on immediately.
“At Carolina, coaches kind of wanted me to really just go one speed and that’s fast all the time,’’ White said. “I think coming into the league, I can use my change of speed and change of pace better. I’ve been trying to work on that a lot.’’
Not the only thing.
Also about to go under the microscope is White’s decision making.
He was a converted two-guard for the Tar Heels, and at times – especially in half-court sets – played like that. Decision making and ball security will be closely watched in Las Vegas the next few weeks.
“Coming in, decision-making,’’ White said, when asked recently what he also needed to work on. “The league is ball-screen heavy so decisions off ball screens. Those two things are really key for me.’’
Maybe even more key for the Bulls, who want White to be a threat at either guard spot.
While Summer League play means very little in the big picture of the regular season and games that actually count, there have been recent Bulls draft picks that have made an immediate impact in Las Vegas and that momentum carried over.
Wendell Carter Jr. caught a ton of attention – especially with his ability to protect the rim – last summer, and began the regular season as the starter.
Bobby Portis was impressive in his Summer League debut, showing that instant energy, as well as that Portis attitude, and also rode that wave into October and beyond back in his 2015-16 rookie campaign.
Las Vegas won’t be make or break for White by any means, but it’s always a good place to at least start answering some questions.
