Chicago Bulls rookie Dalen Terry may not log significant minutes to start the season, but the 18th pick is prepared to bring plenty of energy and effort when his number is called.
The Bulls wrapped up their preseason schedule on Tuesday and are full-steam ahead to their regular-season opener Wednesday in Miami. The team is in the midst of its week off from games as the players finalize their preparations.
Terry finished the preseason averaging 6.5 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.8 assists in four games. He earned the start in their finale, logging a preseason-high 21 minutes of work, but he mostly came off of the bench in a limited role for head coach Billy Donovan.
His confidence looked to grow with each appearance, which will help him. He established himself as a hard worker and will carry that trait into the regular season.
“I got confidence after the first game, obviously,” Terry said, via NBC Sports Chicago. “I’m a pretty confident person. I don’t think there are a lot of things I can’t do so when it came to the first game in how the energy picked up, I just tried to make sure every time I came into the game, I picked the energy up.”
Dalen Terry is leading the @chicagobulls on a 16-3 run to take the lead!
Q4 Live Now on TNT pic.twitter.com/35kpoHnide
— NBA (@NBA) October 5, 2022
Terry brought tremendous energy off the bench in each appearance, which helped his confidence. He seemingly knows what his role will be and that looks to be something he is comfortable with as a defender and a spark of energy off the bench.
With so many established players ahead of him on the depth chart, the team hasn’t committed to him being part of the rotation. It will likely take an injury or another factor to create an opening for him, but it is evident he will be ready when that time comes.
I’m just being energetic when you can be energetic and know when to be calm and know when and where; time and place, and situation. I know what I have to do. I know what this team needs so whenever my name is called and if and when it is, I’m going to be ready.
Terry likely will not play much to start the season, but with his ability on both ends of the floor, the Bulls have a player capable of making an impact at their disposal once needed. Only time will tell when that will be.
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