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"Coby White is a bad man" - DeMar DeRozan on Coby White's fourth-quarter explosion
On Tuesday night against the West’s best, Minnesota Timberwolves, DeMar DeRozan saved his best for last, exploding for six points in overtime to help tame the Wolves, 129-123. However, as terrific as the five-time All-Star was, someone else deserved the spotlight more than he did, and DeRozan was more than happy to step aside.
As DeRozan briefly interrupted Coby White’s postgame interview, he verbalized what many have been thinking after watching the former Tar Heel explode for 33 points—21 coming in the fourth quarter—saying, "White is a bad man."
A new sheriff in town
DeRozan remains the Bulls’ undisputed leader, his veteran savvy and uncanny shotmaking in late-game situations serving as a luxury for the squad. But with White’s development and emergence this season, DeRozan has found his perfect partner in crime.
After trailing by 22 at halftime, 69-47, White sparked the Bulls’ rally with two three-pointers and did not lift his foot off the gas pedal after that, draining one big shot after another in the face of Minnesota’s most skilled defenders. As for DeRozan, he wasn’t the least bit surprised by White’s scoring barrage, saying it’s a by-product of the work the 23-year-old has been putting in for years now.
"Amazing," DeRozan said.
"And I've seen it because of the work he puts in. He wants to get better. He wants to help the team. When you have that, you can accomplish a lot."
Bounced back after a sluggish first half
Making White’s feat more impressive is the fact that he struggled mightily in the first half, shooting 1-of-7 for only three points. But rather than get down on himself, White kept at it, eventually getting a groove and exploding for 30 points in the second half alone.
“That first half, every shot I took, I really felt like it was good, like it was going in,” White shared.
“I was focused and locked in and they just didn’t go in. That second half, I just tried to stay disciplined in my shot and it started to fall. I have to be there for my teammates and bring a positive energy and go out and compete.”
