Performance Of The Night: Coby White
Wanna talk about having a performance for the ages? Coby White’s Play-In performance against the Atlanta Hawks was star-blossoming and eye-opening and allowed him to take his team to the next level. Am I exaggerating? Not in the slightest.
Not only did the Chicago Bulls win by 15 points over Dejounte Murray, Trae Young’s team, but Chicago also proved they have the fight in them to make it to the first round of the postseason. While I hate injuries, the only positive from the Bulls suffering so many injuries was seeing the capabilities of White.
Many people did not know what to think of White, if he was a bench player or a very inconsistent starter. However, this season, including tonight, proved he is that guy. Not only did he have a career-high in points (19.1), rebounds (4.5), and assists (5.1), but he didn’t crumble in the postseason.
Some players have an incredible, crowd-awakening regular season but then struggle in the postseason—if their team is lucky enough to make it. For White, who’s only 24 years old, exceeded those expectations.
He dropped a career-high 42 points, nine rebounds, six assists, and two steals. Plus, he had one of the most efficient games in his career. If not the most efficient game of his short playoff career, for accuracy, this was his fifth playoff game appearance.
White shot 15/21 from the field, that’s 71%. He definitely felt a fire that motivated him to go nuts for the home crowd and against his opponents. To go almost perfect in a do-or-die playoff game is insane. Whoever lost was sent packing, and whoever won faced the Miami Heat on Friday.
The Bulls needed a spark, a game-changer, a game-wrecker, a difference-maker… well, they found it in Coby White. I’m personally very happy for him because I know it’s been a process, a journey, to get to where he is today. Beyond all that, Billy Donovan now sees the fruits of him sticking with White and helping him develop.
What a monumental night for the young talent, as he also made franchise history. White joins Michael Jordan as the only Bulls players to record 40+ points, 5+ assists, and 0 turnovers in any regular or postseason game. This is why he won CourtSideHeat’s POTN Award.
