Rookies.
It’s always a challenge to figure out if they know what they’re actually talking about or are they innocently giving away organizational secrets.
That’s where Bulls rookie Coby White found himself on Wednesday, meeting with the media over a Zoom call to discuss being named NBA All-Rookie Second Team a day earlier.
The guard was asked about what qualifications he and his teammates would like to see from a new head coach when the Bulls finally decide on one, and replied, “We haven’t talked about the new coach because it’s so spread out right now. They haven’t really narrowed it down to the people that — I think, don’t they narrow it down Friday or something like that? I don’t know. But they haven’t really narrowed it down to where we’ve actually sat down and talked about it.’’
So Friday it narrows down? Thanks, rook.
Before anyone buys too much stock in what White was saying/guessing, however, there are other indications that the Bulls have at least moved into a second round of interviews in the coaching search process.
Besides several sources indicating that the first round wrapped up last week, several sportsbooks have taken down the odds on the next Bulls head coach because of all the one-sided action that was being placed on Denver assistant coach Wes Unseld Jr.
That was even before Nuggets head coach Mike Malone came out Tuesday night after the upset of the Clippers and declared, “Wes Unseld should be a head coach.’’
The Sun-Times reported months ago that several NBA scouts were hearing Ime Udoka was the leading candidate out of the gate, and while Udoka did interview with the Bulls – an interview that a source said was very impressive – the Unseld momentum was growing with every impressive win Denver has had in the current run to the Western Conference Finals.
A run in which Unseld has stood out as the defensive mind behind Denver playing giant killer.
So not only is it easy to follow what Unseld brings to a coaching staff by watching this postseason, but also follow the money. Las Vegas wasn’t built on being ignorant to insider information when it comes to the sporting world. Bets are shut down for a reason.
As for White, he was just glad to be at the Advocate Center talking basketball.
According to the No. 7 overall pick from the 2019 draft, all of his teammates were in town and participating in the early stages of the voluntary mini-camp. This week was one player per basket, as well as frequent testing for the coronavirus, but by next week it will be full five-on-five intrasquad scrimmages with the NBA allowing the eight teams left out of the Orlando “Bubble’’ to finally try and play catch-up.
The Bulls will do so still likely coach-less at the start.
“I can’t speak on the behalf of the rest of the team, but I was kind of surprised,’’ White said of the Jim Boylen firing. “I really didn’t see it coming. Like I said, Jim, I give him all the credit. He was a great coach when he was here. We’re excited to see change, but taking nothing away from him. This season, he helped me out a lot and I can’t thank him enough.’’
Under Boylen, White finished his rookie campaign averaging 13.2 points and 2.7 assists per game, but won the starting point guard spot just before the shutdown, and did average 20.1 and 22.4 points per game in February and March, respectively.
“That’s my primary goal is just to continue to get better and, you know, who doesn’t want to be the starting point guard in training camp?’’ White said when asked about second-season goals. “That’s what I want to achieve.’’
Whoever the coach is, and whenever he’s named.
