Coby White and Josh Giddey have played a part in the Chicago Bulls surge since the All-Star break.
The Chicago Bulls have been heavily criticized for their decisions in recent months, with many arguing they have lacked direction. Draymond Green lay into them after trading away Zach LaVine.
Whether by design or good fortune, the Bulls have improved despite trading away the in-form LaVine.
Players they received in return like Kevin Huerter and Tre Jones were initially dismissed, yet have helped the team, while Josh Giddey and Coby White have developed more sizeable roles in the offense.
Giddey joined the Bulls as part of a trade ahead of the season, with the Oklahoma City Thunder sending him away, in order to acquire Alex Caruso. Months ago this looked like a slam-dunk win for OKC, and even Chicago’s Coby White admits he was not happy.
Coby White on Josh Giddey/Alex Caruso trade
In an open and honest interview, Coby White has admitted he was displeased when the Chicago Bulls agreed to trade away Alex Caruso, citing his close relationship with his teammate.
White told the Chicago Sports Network: “I wasn’t the happiest, this is me being honest, because we lost AC, whose a guy I really looked up to and was really close on the team. Later on knowing there was a chance DeMar might leave too, that was very hard for me.
“That’s nothing against Josh, I got to know Josh he’s an incredible human being, incredible on the basketball court. He’s a hell of a teammate, a guy I can call at any time and he would be there for more.
“But it was confusing for me at the time because I was coming off the year I had just had.”
White admitted that he took time out to re-think ahead of the season, and re-assess how he might be able to use the trade to improve and change his own game.
He explained: “I’m more of a positive thinker, I sat down, I’m a realist, ‘this is what it is, this is what happened, what transpired, how can I grow and continue to get better from this, knowing that I probably won’t be on the ball as much this coming year?’
“So how can I now transform the way I work, the way I think about the game, this upcoming season, to be the best player that I can be, not only to help myself but to help the team.”
This past week former NBA veteran Patrick Beverley expressed his view that the Chicago Bulls won the Giddey/Caruso trade, citing the Australian’s recent performances. Considering OKC rank top of the Western Conference, with Caruso playing his part, that speaks volumes to Giddey’s success.
White cites close pairing with Giddey as key to success
Speaking hours before Josh Giddey’s dramatic half-court winner against the Lakers, Coby White explained that the success of the pair is down to the way they have worked to connect off the court. He says this has helped them gradually start thinking on the same wavelength when they play together.
White said: “The relationship off the court, that helps a ton on the court, in terms of chemistry, getting a feel for each other, in terms of what he’s thinking, what I’m thinking, playing off each other.
“It’s starting to click at the right time but it’s been a lot of growth off the court. Me meeting his entire family, him meeting my family, those things make a difference and pay dividends.”
White praised Giddey’s mentality that enabled him to take the last second shot against the Lakers, having missed with an airball moments earlier.
The Chicago Bulls have now won four straight games and rank ninth in the Eastern Conference with 33 wins, and could conceivably go as high as seventh, where the Atlanta Hawks are on 35 wins.
