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Report surmises Coby White's heavy workload may be to blame for the recent dip in his performance
Fifth-year leaps are unheard of in the NBA, but that’s what Chicago Bulls guard Coby White has done this season. Installed as the starting point guard at the start of the season, the former Tar Heel has not only run with the new role but has also taken his place as a cornerstone of the franchise.
However, as the regular season enters its penultimate stages, White’s performances have dipped, especially toward the tail-end of February.
In that month’s last three games, the 24-year-old averaged only 13 points, shooting 23 percent from the field and 14 percent from beyond the arc—certainly ghastly numbers from a player who has risen to be a vital cog in the Bulls’ roster.
Workload to blame
As the injuries to Bulls players have piled up—Zach LaVine and Patrick Williams are already out for the season—much has been placed on White and DeMar DeRozan’s shoulders. The two Bulls have played the most number of minutes in the league this season and it has been by sheer necessity. In fact, Elias Schuster of Bleacher Nation noted that the Bulls’ dependency on White has been unreal.
“The team’s reliance on White has only increased as the season has gone on. He has averaged an eye-popping 39.8 minutes per game over the last 15 contests. Seven of these games have taken him over the 40-minute threshold, with one double-OT game even forcing White to see over 50 minutes of action,” Schuster wrote.
May need a breather; probably won’t get it
Being the intense competitor that he is, White isn’t going to coach Billy Donovan’s office to ask for a respite any time soon. With a berth in the Play-in Tournament at stake, White is willing to do whatever it takes to help the team win. However, he must overcome his shooting struggles to help Chicago earn a berth in the NBA Playoffs.
Schuster surmised that while this could be part of the ebbs and flows of a long NBA regular season, it’s difficult to ignore that White has gone from playing 23 minutes a night last season to over 36 this season.
“I can’t help but look at his total minutes played and believe it’s at least somewhat related to this recent dip. Coby White’s body went from playing a reserve role to playing THE role in just one season, and I have to imagine this takes at least some toll,” Schuster concluded.
