It could have been yet another moment for Denzel Valentine to make sure former Bulls coach Jim Boylen and his staff were reminded of just how poor of a job they did of assessing what they truly had in the guard out of Michigan State.
After all, as deep as Valentine was buried on Boylen’s bench much of last season, the former lottery pick far too often was left wondering what kind of future he even had with his own organization.
That continued being answered in Saturday’s one-sided blowout victory over Orlando, in which Valentine not only got the starting nod, but had his first 20-point game since Mar. 23, 2018.
Not bad for a “system player,’’ as Boylen privately called Valentine on several occasions.
“It definitely feels really good,’’ Valentine said of his latest showing. “Like my third year was really hard for me sitting out [with ankle surgery], and last year was really hard for me obviously being thrown in and out of the lineup. Mentally, it can kind of get frustrating, it can get hard. You can kind of take your mind to places where it doesn’t need to be.
“I knew a game like this was going to happen eventually as long as I just keep being a good dude and just putting the work and letting the rest take care of itself. This gives me confidence to show me that I can do it and I just need to elevate and keep going from here.’’
Made easier with Billy Donovan now sitting in that coaching seat, and coming in with the mentality of wiping the slate clean from any assessments or assumptions made on players by the old regime.
Valentine has responded, not only jumping the likes of Chandler Hutchison and Ryan Arcidiacono in the rotation – something he couldn’t do most of last season with Boylen – but has given Donovan yet another play-maker for a second unit that has shown more often than not to be a difficult matchup for opposing benches.
“Denzel has a really good feel of how to play,’’ Donovan said of the fifth-year player. “He can put the ball on the floor obviously. He’s an elite shooter. But he’s also a terrific passer. I really feel this with him: Everybody looks at him as maybe defense being something that is a challenge for him. I told him you have to work at it. He has done a really good job working at it.
“He’s putting forth that effort, and I really respect him. He’s given us some really, really good boosts off the bench and obviously a great boost starting [Saturday].’’
A starting trend that may continue on Monday, when the Bulls host the Wizards.
With Lauri Markkanen (right shoulder) still a question mark to return, Valentine in that starting group makes the lineup smaller, but as it did with Orlando, also some defensive mismatches the Magic had to deal with.
“I’ve always been in his corner,’’ teammate Zach LaVine said of Valentine. “I’m glad to see him get this opportunity and capitalize on it.
“[It helps my game] a lot. Whenever you have high IQ guys and they can shoot and create off the ball … I love having Denzel out there.’’
And as far as taking advantage of the moment with an “I told you so’’ statement thrown in the direction of his former coach? In Valentine’s world his actions are doing his speaking.
“Last year, I didn’t know what my future was going to be, where I was going to be at, but I try not to worry about that … honestly,’’ Valentine said. “I tried to do was focus on what’s at stake, looking forward, trying to put my work in every day, and just control what I can control and let the rest fall into place.’’
