© Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports
DeMar DeRozan comments on Coby White's evolution from inconsistent guard to complete player
The Coby White breakout tour stopped in Phoenix on Monday night, and the former Tar Heel put on a show, going toe to toe with Suns superstar Kevin Durant in an entertaining duel. And although the Bulls came away with a disheartening 115-113 defeat, White more than held his own as he narrowly missed out on a triple-double with 26 points, 10 rebounds, and nine assists.
Although DeMar DeRozan has seen what White can do numerous times, whether in practice or the games themselves, the veteran wing couldn't help but marvel at his teammate's growth and development.
Found his lane
White entered the NBA as an explosive scoring guard with questions surrounding his playmaking and consistency. But this season, he has taken on a more significant role as the Bulls’ starting point guard and has shown substantial improvement in both areas.
He is averaging 18.8 points on 46 percent shooting, 4.6 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game. He’s also become one of the league’s deadliest marksmen, draining 40 percent of his three-pointers. More than anything, he has earned the respect of his teammates and peers with his work ethic and determination.
“The thing about Coby is how hard he works, how resilient he is, the competitor he is. It’s been amazing just to watch how comfortable he is getting, making big shots and plays, being aggressive the way he handles the ball, creates his own shots, finishes at the basket. He deserves more credit than he’s getting with the improvement; it’s been impressive,” DeRozan said.
From afterthought to the top of scouting reports
One measure of a player’s success is the attention he receives from opponents. And for White, that attention has gone from minimal to significant in his fifth season in the NBA.
“You see teams game planning for him to try to get the ball out of his hands,” DeRozan shared.
“It’s a testament to his greatness and an honor for me to be able to share the court with him. He was trying to figure his way: spot-up shooter, point guard, two-guard? Now, seeing him as a complete player is cool.”
Bulls head coach Billy Donovan is equally impressed by the path White has taken to become the rising star that he is today. After struggling to find his lane early in his career, White has now solidified himself as a key piece in the franchise’s present and future.
"Maybe Coby isn't as established as those guys are in terms of their number of years in the league," Donovan said, referring to Durant and DeRozan.
"But what he's done from his rookie year to now, I think, speaks to where he can get to."
