By R.L. Bynum
The Chicago Bulls are noticing a more seasoned, mature Coby White off the court, and he showed that it’s translating to the court in his preseason debut.
White, Cole Anthony and Harrison Barnes got their exhibition seasons off to a good start, as every NBA team has played at least one preseason game.
White had 14 points, six rebounds, six assists, two steals and only two turnovers in 23 minutes as a starter in Chicago’s 105–101 loss Sunday to the Milwaukee Bucks, making his case to be the Bulls’ starting point guard.
“I noticed this summer when I went out in June to see him, he physically looked different,” Bulls coach Billy Donovan said of White. “The ball looked to be a little bit more on a string for him. I think his confidence with the ball has really grown.”
White has been more vocal this season after feeling like the “young guy” on a team full of veterans who had been to the playoffs multiple times in previous seasons. White said he didn’t feel like his opinion mattered before.
“I didn’t know how much guys respected my opinion — and my connection with every guy on the team — until last year,” White said. “I’m continuing to grow into it. And it feels natural for me at this point.”
White says that backcourt teammate Zach LaVine helped him mature.
“Zach watched me grow up in the NBA. He’s been here since I got drafted. He and I — our relationship goes beyond basketball,” White said. “I’m grateful for this relationship. He has always believed in me and pushed me and given me confidence.”
Donovan has seen plenty of growth in White on and off the court.
“He’s never going to quit. He’s going to look at ways to improve,” Donovan said. “I think every aspect of his game, he’s gotten better. I think he’s gotten a lot more cerebral and has a better understanding than when he was a rookie, which is normal. And I think he has found his voice. He has no problem saying something when guys aren’t doing something the right way.
“My first year here, he was probably trying to figure things out and didn’t have a lot to say,” said Donovan, in his fourth season with the Bulls. “Winning is important to him. Leading is important to him. If he continues to flourish in those areas, it will serve him and our team well.”
White hopes all of that has earned him a starting spot. He appears to have the early edge to start at point guard in his battle with Jevon Carter and Ayo Dosunmu.
“I was talking to my brother the other day, and it’s like, there aren’t many times you get multiple opportunities to become a starter in this league,” White said. “I started my second year and haven’t started since. For me, it’s just trying to take advantage of it and don’t take it for granted. It’s a blessing.”
Coming off the bench, Anthony had nearly a point a minute in producing 13 points, two 3-pointers, three rebounds and four assists in 15 minutes to help the Orlando Magic win Tuesday at New Orleans 122–105.
At one point, Anthony appeared willing to draw a charge from former Duke star Zion Williamson. Fortunately for Anthony, that didn’t happen.
Barnes also nearly had a point a minute, with 11 points, one assist and one steal in 14 minutes as a starter in Sacramento’s 112–99 Sunday loss to Toronto in Vancouver, B.C.
Walker Kessler has played two games for Utah against the Los Angeles Clippers, starting in both. He had seven points, seven rebounds and five blocks in 24 minutes of Sunday’s 101–96 win in Honolulu, and contributed three points and four rebounds in 17 minutes of Tuesday’s 103–98 defeat in Seattle.
In his debut with Phoenix on Sunday, Nassir Little had three points, three rebounds, an assist and a steal in 21 minutes off the bench during the Suns’ 130–126 overtime loss at Denver. Tuesday, he had six points, two rebounds and two assists in a 115–107 home loss to Denver.
In his return to Philadelphia, Danny Green had three points, one rebound and one assist in 15 minutes off the bench during the 76ers’ 114–106 Sunday loss at Boston.
Leaky Black missed the Charlotte Hornets’ first exhibition game, a 113–109 Tuesday loss at Miami, with an ankle injury, and is also expected to miss Thursday’s game at Washington.
Cameron Johnson was out for Brooklyn’s 129–126 Monday loss to the Los Angeles Lakers in Las Vegas with a hamstring injury. Day’Ron Sharpe was scoreless in two minutes.
Reggie Bullock didn’t play in the Houston Rockets’ opener Tuesday, a 122–103 home win over Indiana.
Pete Nance didn’t play (coach’s decision) in Cleveland’s 108–107 Tuesday loss at Atlanta.
Cole Anthony, Orlando Magic guard
Age 23 | 6–3, 185 | fourth NBA season | $5,539,771 salary | UNC 2019–20 (1 season)
Roster situation — Backup point guard behind Markelle Fultz
2022–23 statistics — 60 games, 13.0 points, 45.4 FG%, 36.4 3P%, 89.4 FT%, 4.8 rebounds, 3.9 assists
First exhibition — 122–105 Tuesday win at New Orleans: 15 minutes, 13 points, 5–10 FG, 2–4 3FG, 1–1 FT, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, -4
Up next — 7 p.m. Thursday at Cleveland
Regular-season opener — 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 25, vs. Houston
Harrison Barnes, Sacramento Kings forward
Age 31 | 6–8, 225 | 12th NBA season | $17,000,000 salary | UNC 2010–12 (2 seasons)
Roster situation — Starting small forward ahead of Chris Duarte
Regular-season 2022–23 statistics — 82 games, 13.0 points, 41.7 FG%, 14.3 3FG%, 71.4 FT%, 6.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists
2023 playoffs statistics — 7 games, 10.7 points, 41.7 FG%, 24.0 3P%, 3.4 rebounds, 0.7 of an assist, 1.1 steals
First exhibition — 112–99 Sunday loss to Toronto in Vancouver, B.C.: Started, 14 minutes, 11 points, 5–8 FG, 1–4 3FG, 1 assist, 1 steal, -2
Up next — 10 p.m. Wednesday vs. L.A. Lakers in Anaheim, Calif., NBATV
Regular-season opener — 9 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 25, at Utah
Leaky Black, Charlotte Hornets guard
Age 24 | 6–9, 209 | rookie NBA season | UNC 2018–23 (5 seasons)
Roster situation — Reserve role; likely to play many games for G League’s Greensboro Swarm
2022–23 statistics (UNC) — 33 games, 7.30 points, 41.1 FG%, 32.6 3P%, 70.2 FT%, 6.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists
First exhibition — 113–109 Tuesday loss at Miami: Didn’t play (ankle injury)
Up next — 7 p.m. Thursday at Washington
Regular-season opener — Hornets: Wednesday, Oct. 25, vs. Atlanta, Bally Sports SE; Swarm: 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 11 at Long Island
Reggie Bullock, Houston Rockets guard
Age 32 | 6–6, 205 | 11th NBA season | $10,489,600 salary | UNC 2010–13 (3 seasons)
Roster situation — Likely competing for playing time at the 2-guard with Jalen Green
2022–23 statistics (Dallas) — 78 games, 7.2 points, 40.9 FG%, 38.0 3P%, 70.3 FT%, 3.6 rebounds, 1.4 assists
First exhibition — 122–103 Tuesday win Indiana: Didn’t play
Up next — 8 p.m. Thursday at New Orleans
Regular-season opener — Wednesday, Oct. 25, at Orlando
Danny Green, Philadelphia 76ers guard
Age 36 | 6–6, 215 | 15th NBA season | UNC 2005–09 (4 seasons)
Roster situation — Third-string small forward behind Tobias Harris and Kelly Oubre Jr.
2022–23 regular-season statistics (Cleveland and Memphis) — 11 games, 5.5 points, 44.9 FG%, 42.2 3FG%, 1–1 FT, 1.3 rebounds, 0.5 of an assist
2023 playoffs statistics (Cleveland) — 4 games, 3 points, 1–5 FG, 1–4 3FG, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 turnover, 2 steals, 1 block, 5 fouls
First exhibition — 114–106 Sunday loss at Boston: 15 minutes, 3 points, 1–6 FG, 1–5 3FG, 1 rebound, 1 assist, 1 turnovers, -10
Up next — 7 p.m. Wednesday vs. Boston, NBATV
Regular-season opener — 7:30 Thursday, Oct. 26, at Milwaukee, TNT
Cameron Johnson, Brooklyn Nets forward
Age 27 | 6–8, 210 | fifth NBA season | $25,679,348 salary UNC 2017–19 (2 seasons)
Roster situation — Starting small forward ahead of Royce O’Neale
2022–23 regular-season statistics — 42 games, 15.5 points, 47.0 FG%, 40.4 3P%, 84.3 FT%, 4.4 rebounds, 1.9 assists
2023 playoffs statistics — 4 games, 18.5 points, 50.9 FG%, 42.9 3P%, 5.0 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 0.8 of a steal
First exhibition — 129–126 Monday loss to L.A. Lakers in Las Vegas: Didn’t play (hamstring)
Up next — 7:30 Thursday vs. Ra’anana Maccabi Ra’anana
Regular-season opener — 7:30 Wednesday, Oct. 25, vs. Cleveland
Walker Kessler, Utah Jazz center
Age 22 | 7–0, 245 | second NBA season | $2,831,160 salary | UNC 2020–21 (1 season)
Roster situation — Starting center ahead of Kelly Olynyk
2022–23 statistics — 74 games, 9.2 points, 72.0 FG%, 1–4 3FG, 51.6 FT%, 8.4 rebounds, 0.9 of an assist, 2.2 blocks
First exhibition — 101–96 Sunday win over L.A. Clippers in Honolulu: Started, 24 minutes, 7 points, 3–5 FG, 1–3 FT, 7 rebounds, 1 assist, 5 blocks, 2 turnovers, -6
Tuesday — 103–98 Tuesday loss to L.A. Clippers in Seattle: Started, 17 minutes, 3 points, 1–2 FG, 0–1 3FG, 1–2 FT, 4 rebounds, 1 foul, -8
Up next — 9 p.m. Saturday vs. Portland
Regular-season opener — 9 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 25, vs. Sacramento
Nassir Little, Phoenix Sun wing
Age 23 | 6–4, 220 | fifth NBA season | $6,250,060 salary | UNC 2018–19 (1 season)
Roster situation — Will compete for time off the bench behind Devin Booker and Kevin Durant
2022–23 statistics (Portland) — 54 games, 6.6 points, 44.2 FG%, 36.7 3P%, 71.7 FT%, 2.6 rebounds, 0.9 of an assist
First exhibition — 130–126 Sunday OT loss at Detroit: 21 minutes, 3 points, 1–4 FG, 1–2 3FG, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 2 fouls, -12
Tuesday — 115–107 loss vs. Denver: 19 minutes, 6 points, 2–6 FG, 1–3 3FG, 1–2 FT, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 foul, -2
Up next — 8 p.m. Thursday vs. Denver, TNT
Regular-season opener — 10 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 25, at Golden State, TNT
Pete Nance, Cleveland Cavaliers forward
Age 23 | 6–10, 225 | rookie NBA season | UNC 2022–23 (1 season)
Roster situation — Reserve role; likely to play many games for the G League’s Cleveland Charge
2022–23 statistics (UNC) — 30 games, 10.0 points, 42.2 FG%, 32.0 3P%, 81.6 FT%, 6.0 rebounds, 1.7 assists
First exhibition — 108–107 Tuesday loss at Atlanta: Didn’t play (coach’s decision)
Up next — 7 p.m. Thursday vs. Orlando
Regular-season opener — 7:30 Wednesday, Oct. 25, at Brooklyn
Day’Ron Sharpe, Brooklyn Nets center
Age 21 | 6–9, 265 | third NBA season | $2,210,040 salary | UNC 2020–21 (1 season)
Roster situation — Backup center behind Nic Claxton
2022–23 regular-season statistics — 48 games, 4.7 points, 54.4 FG%, 6–11 3FG, 63.6 FT%, 4.2 rebounds, 0.8 of an assist, 0.7 of a block
2023 playoffs statistics — 2 games, 20 minutes, 6 points, 3–3 FG, 2–2 FT, 6 rebounds, 5 assists
First exhibition — 129–126 Monday loss to L.A. Lakers in Las Vegas: 2 minutes, 0 points, -4
Up next — 7:30 Thursday vs. Ra’anana Maccabi Ra’anana
Regular-season opener — 7:30 Wednesday, Oct. 25, vs. Cleveland
Coby White, Chicago Bulls guard
Age 23 | 6–5, 195 | fifth NBA season | $11,111,111 salary | UNC 2018–19 (1 season)
Roster situation — Battling to start at point guard with Jevon Carter and Ayo Dosunmu
2022–23 statistics — 74 games, 9.7 points, 44.3 FG%, 37.2 3P%, 87.1 FT%, 2.9 rebounds, 2.8 assists
Statistics in 2023 play-in games — 2 games, 11.5 points, 64.3 FG%, 71.4 3P%, 0 FTAs, 2.5 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 1.0 steal
First exhibition — 105–101 Sunday win at Milwaukee: Started, 23 minutes, 14 points, 6–10 FG, 2–5 3FG, 6 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals, 2 turnovers, 1 foul, +3
Up next — 8 p.m. Thursday vs. Denver
Regular-season opener — 8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 25, vs. Oklahoma City
Photo @ChicagoBulls
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