Coby White to start, believes Bulls can make Playoffs

Chicago Bulls rookie guard Coby White is not giving up the dream of making the playoffs as he enters the starting line-up.

Trying to find something, anything, positive in this disaster of a Chicago Bulls season has been difficult. Injured Bulls have been easier to locate than wins. Wendell Carter Jr., Lauri Markkanen, Otto Porter, Kris Dunn have all missed significant time. Only two Bulls have played in every game this year- Tomas Satoransky and Coby White.

White has been a joy to watch recently as he continues to figure out the NBA game and how he can impact it each night. There has been much discussion whether White should be starting, and if he can play the point-guard position. Head Coach Jim Boylen hinted that White might be moved into the starting line-up last Friday. Boylen  made it official today- White will start Tuesday night versus Cleveland. White acknowledged last week that he would love the opportunity to be a starter.

"“Who wouldn’t want to start in the NBA? I mean one through 17 in this locker room we all want to start in the NBA,” White said."

White has been getting better and better and earned the promotion. He averaged 20 ppg in February, his best month so far. He is off to an even better start in March, 23 ppg. In his last eight games overall, White has scored at least 19 points.

"“I just feel like I am getting better, thats all it is,” White said. “I just feel like it (NBA) takes some time to get used to. I just kept doing what I’m doing, kept grinding, kept being able to learn, being willing to learn from anyone. I feel like I’m just getting better and everything is coming into place.”"

There has been a lot of discussion whether White can become a“true point-guard”? He has looked most comfortable putting the ball in the basket, but does possess the speed to break down defenses. His court vision has been impressive at times. Does White believe he can be can start and run the show?

"“Yeah, for sure. Sometimes I’m the one, sometimes I’m the two, sometimes the three,” White said. “I’m playing more one now. I definitely feel I can play make especially that teams are starting to draw to me more now, I’m attracting a lot more attention. I feel like I am more than just a two. The coaching staff believes in me. They think I can be a combo one and two and I feel like thats what I am right now.”"

The Bulls have 18-games left in their season and are eight games out of the last playoff spot. White is not giving up hope despite the long odds.

"“I still believe we can make the playoffs. This March we are going to buckle down, try to get some wins, and keep going hard and keep fighting,” White said. “This team never going to quit fighting. I’m looking at it as making the playoffs and me continuing to get better. Thats what I have been focused on all season. Until we can’t make it, we still believe we can make the playoffs, were still fighting for it."

That positive attitude should endear White to Bulls fans. It has not been an easy year for the team, and rarely is for a rookie point guard. White averaged 9 ppg in January and shot 37 percent. He is a long way from that rookie wall now, but learned a lot during the struggles.

"“It definitely bothered you at night when you go home, cause you know what your capable of and its not showing in the results. It doesn’t help that in this job field everyone knows how you play. In the other job field, maybe your family knows, but now its like everyone in the world knows. And you go on social media, I don’t let social media bother me, but it all takes a toll on you eventually.”"

Everyone in the world now knows that the Bulls made the right choice when they drafted Coby White. They now get to see him in the starting line-up.