Tag: Coby White

Bulls’ Coby White is a game-time decision Wednesday vs. the Pistons

Bulls head coach Jim Boylen said Coby White is a game-time decision to play Wednesday against the Pistons.

Chicago Bulls rookie Coby White is a game-time decision to play Wednesday night at home against the Detroit Pistons, head coach Jim Boylen said prior to the matchup.

Boylen said during his pre-game media availability that White sprained his ankle during pre-game warmups and was getting looked at by the medical staff.

White has appeared in all 14 games so far this season with the Bulls and is averaging 13.1 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game. He is shooting 35.8% from the field, including 31.5% from 3-point range.

White recently became the first rookie in NBA history to hit at least six 3-pointers in consecutive games but followed that up with a seven-point effort on Saturday. White will need to work on gaining consistency this season off of the bench but he has proven to have his moments in a small sample size.

If White is unable to play, minutes could open up for Ryan Arcidiacono or Kris Dunn off of the bench.

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Rookie Wire Power Rankings: Ja Morant continues reign on top in Week 4

Rookie Wire took a look at the top rookies through the fourth week of the 2019-20 NBA season.

As the NBA heads into a new week, the rookie class appears to be settling into the 2019-20 season.

The players that have performed well to this point are continuing to make a splash and others are beginning to rise up the ranks onto the mainstream radar after some strong recent outings.

Rookie Wire will compile the rankings of the five best players each week based on how they performed on the court. The rankings are not for Rookie of the Year purposes but, rather, to illustrate the top-performing players week to week.

Here are the Rookie Wire Power Rankings for Week 4:

Week 1 Power Rankings | Week 2 Power Rankings | Week 3 Power Rankings

All stats are through games played on Nov. 19

5. R.J. Barrett, Knicks

Stats: 15.8 points, 5.6 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.3 steals

Rank Last Week: 4

While questions still linger about his workload, Barrett continues to go out and perform for the Knicks. As discussed on a recent episode of The HoopsHype Podcast with Alex Kennedy, the Knicks would like to prioritize Barrett seeing heavy minutes in order to work through his mistakes on the court to grow as a player. Barrett has shown that he isn’t afraid of the moment playing in New York and is showing maturity at his age. His efficiency has improved some after shooting 42.9% from 3-point range over his last three games and, suddenly, the Knicks have won two of three and could be on the verge of turning the corner.

4. Brandon Clarke, Grizzlies

Stats: 12.7 points, 6.1 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 1.2 blocks

Rank Last Week: 5

Clarke continues to impress for the Grizzlies. The 21st overall pick has scored in double figures in seven straight games and is shooting 61.9% from the floor this season. As mentioned last week, Clarke is staying within his game, isn’t forcing things and is taking the shots he is comfortable with: Floaters, mid-range, layups, etc. With Ja Morant handling the bulk of the ball-handling duties, Clarke doesn’t need to be ultra-aggressive, which allows him to play his game. He is shooting 44.4% (8-of-18) from 3-point range and has been highly effective on offense.

3. Eric Paschall, Warriors

Stats: 16.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.4 assists

Rank Last Week: 3

If you had second-round pick Eric Paschall as the first rookie this season to record multiple 30-point games, give yourself a pat on the back because Paschall recently accomplished that feat on Sunday. He recorded 30 points for the Warriors in a loss to the Pelicans and previously had a career-high 34 earlier in the month. Paschall is now second among rookies in total points scored this season, trailing only Ja Morant. While the Warriors have certainly struggled this season, and could be on the verge of missing the playoffs, Paschall has emerged as a bright spot in an otherwise down season.

2. Kendrick Nunn, Heat

Stats: 17.8 points, 3.2 assists, 2.5 rebounds, 1.6 steals

Rank Last Week: 2

Kendrick Nunn has been an absolute revelation this season for the Heat and is a huge reason why they are third in the Eastern Conference. Nunn was recently nominated for the NBA Eastern Conference Player of the Week award, the second time he has been a finalist, after scoring at least 20 points in three straight games. He is second among all rookies in scoring average and first in field goals made and 3-pointers made. Nunn is on pace to shatter a number of Heat franchise rookie records and doesn’t appear to be slowing down any time soon.

1. Ja Morant, Grizzlies

Stats: 18.5 points, 6 assists, 3.2 rebounds

Rank Last Week: 1

Ja Morant continues his reign atop the Power Rankings for the third straight week. The Grizzlies guard is first in scoring among all rookies and is averaging 20.3 points over his last four games. He has proven to be a player the Grizzlies can trust in late-game situations as evident by his game-winner on Nov. 13 against the Charlotte Hornets. Warriors head coach Steve Kerr compared him to Allen Iverson given his size and toughness and it is easy to see the similarities between the two. While the Grizzlies may not be a playoff team this season, Morant has them as a must-watch team on League Pass.

Honorable Mention:

Coby White, Bulls: 13.1 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.4 assists

The Bulls rookie has that boom-or-bust potential that daily fantasy users know about all too well. White recently became the first rookie in NBA history to hit at least six 3-pointers in consecutive games but followed that up with a seven-point effort on Saturday. White will need to work on gaining consistency this season off of the bench but he has proven to have his moments in a small sample size.

Tyler Herro, Heat: 13.3 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.1 assists

An ankle injury limited Herro to just two games over the last week but Herro still put up 14 points per game in those outings. Herro has proven to be a solid scoring option off of the bench that can seemingly get hot at any moment. He ranks fifth in scoring among all rookies in the early going this season.

Rui Hachimura, Wizards: 13.1 points, 5.5 rebounds, 1.7 assists

Hachimura had a bit of a quiet week after managing just 14 points in his last two games after scoring 21 on Nov. 13 against the Boston Celtics. He remains a work in progress on defense but has looked to be a better scorer and shooter than he was in college last season. Though he may not be among the best rookies yet, he has had a solid start to his career.

On the Rise:

Cameron Johnson, Suns: 9.1 points, 3.2 rebounds

Suns head coach Monty Williams recently shortened his rotation, paving the way for more playing time for Johnson. He is up to 11th in scoring among rookies and his 40.4% shooting from 3-point range is seventh among first-year players that have at least eight appearances this season.

Terence Davis, Raptors: 5 points, 2.4 rebounds, 1.8 assists

While his overall numbers don’t jump off of the page, he is averaging 8.5 points per game and shooting 50% from 3-point range over his last six games as he sees more time on the court.

Shout Out:

Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Pelicans: 7.2 points, 2.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists

Alexander-Walker recently had a two-game stretch in which he tallied 46 total points but followed that up with a three-point outing on Tuesday night. His playing time has been sporadic so it has likely been a bit tough to settle in but he has shown flashes recently.

Daniel Gafford, Bulls: 21 points, 5 rebounds, 2 blocks

With an injury to Luke Kornet, the second-round pick stepped up in his first extended look of the season, recording a team-high 21 points on Monday night. If he can continue seeing consistent playing time, Gafford could be a name to look out for this season.

Dropped Out:

P.J. Washington, Hornets

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Luka Doncic and Ja Morant may provide perspective for Warriors future

Playing against Luka Docic, Ja Morant and Trae Young will give the Golden State Warriors a glimpse of what having a modern lottery pick could look like.

Over the past five seasons, the Golden State Warriors have been a team focused on the now. But without star power filling the void of injured players and one of the worst records in the NBA, it’s time to look to the future.

The Dubs have a few interesting young pieces, but that’s where it ends— a few. Eric Paschall, Ky Bowman and Omari Spellman all have flashed promise at times. But none were blue-chip prospects built to lead the Warriors into the future.

Over recent NBA drafts, there’s been an influx of exciting youngsters bursting into the league. The players available at the top of the NBA draft haven’t garnered much attention in the Bay Area because most fans were focused on Golden State playing deep into the postseason.

With the Warriors currently scheduled to be at the top of the NBA draft lottery, teams with young talent might provide some perspective.

When teams like the Houston Rockets, Oklahoma City Thunder and Portland Trail Blazers popped up on the schedule, Warriors fans were excited. Now, teams like the Dallas Mavericks, Atlanta Hawks and Memphis Grizzlies (whom the Warriors will play over the next month) could give fans a glimpse at what having a modern lottery pick will look like.

On the current road trip, the Warriors already played the New Orleans Pelicans, who spent the first overall pick in 2019 on Zion Williamson out of Duke. Due to injury, Williamson hasn’t made his debut yet, but that doesn’t mean the Dubs won’t get a shot at a top pick soon.

The Warriors head to Dallas to face phenom Luka Doncic. The Slovenian isn’t only one of the league’s most talented youngsters, he’s one of the league’s most exciting players overall. The reigning Rookie of the Year is averaging 30.6 points, 10.3 assists and 11.6 rebounds per game in November. What doesn’t show on the stat sheet is how Doncic controls the game for the Mavs. He’s a true court general with the swagger that looks like he’s going to cause problems in the Western Conference for years to come.

After Doncic, the Warriors will get a taste of the favorite for the 2019-20 Rookie of the Year award: Ja Morant, another impressive point guard who is leading Memphis into a new era of “grit and grind.” Similar to Doncic, Morant’s feel for the game is that of a veteran. He has the confidence and swagger of a veteran. If you doubt him, he’ll make you pay.

Over the next 10 games, the Warriors will get to see a bevy of recent lottery picks, also including Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Tyler Herro, Coby White, Lauri Markkanen, Markelle Fultz, PJ Washington, Malik Monk and, for the grand finale, Trae Young. All players picked in the top 13 with the average age of 20.5, Markkanen is the old man of the group, at 22. Paschall, Bowman and Spellman are all 22 or older, with Jordan Poole the only Warrior under 21.

As exciting as it is to play against All-Stars like LeBron James, James Harden and Giannis Antetokounmpo, it’s important to gauge the type of talent the Warriors could be getting in the June draft. If Golden State’s season finishes on its current trajectory, the Warriors will have a chance to acquire a talent similar to Doncic, Morant or Young.

Coby White: Most 3-pointers made by a rookie in consecutive games

After draining seven 3-pointers for the Bulls on Tuesday, Coby White made more history on Thursday night.

Coby White all of a sudden can’t miss from 3-point range.

After erupting for seven 3-pointers on Tuesday en route to a career-high 27 points, the Chicago Bulls rookie drained another six 3-pointers on Thursday night against the Milwaukee Bucks, finishing with 26 points. His 7 made 3-pointers on Tuesday set a Bulls, and an NBA rookie record, for the most in a quarter.

White made more history on Thursday.

He set a new NBA record for most 3-pointers made by a rookie in consecutive games with 13 while he is also the first rookie in history to make at least six treys in consecutive games, according to Justin Kubatko of Stat Muse.

White is shooting 13-of-24 (54.1%) from 3-point range over his last two games.

The recent hot streak has put White second among all rookies in total 3-pointers made with 24 on the season, trailing only the 26 made by Kendrick Nunn. White has now converted on 24-of-76 (31.6%) from beyond the arc this season.

White started off his rookie campaign on a tear, totaling 42 points in his first two games. He then fit a bit of a rough patch after tallying 31 points over his next five games. Since then, however, White has scored in double figures in five straight games.

Though White caught fire once again on Thursday, his performance didn’t net the Bulls a win after losing 124-115 to the Bucks. After struggling during a recent stretch, though his recent breakthrough is likely much needed for him.

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NBA Rumors: Sam Presti a candidate in potential Knicks front office overhaul?

Could Sam Presti be a potential candidate for the Knicks if James Dolan decide to make changes in New York’s front office?

Rumors about trades and deals have been swirling around the Oklahoma City Thunder for months, ever since General Manager Sam Presti negotiated deals to send away OKC’s top two stars in Paul George and Russell Westbrook.

It seems no one has been immune to gossip. As it turns out, neither is Presti.

There’s a lot to unpack, but first, as difficult as a rebuild in Oklahoma City could be, at least the Thunder aren’t the New York Knicks.

The saga of James Dolan and David Fizdale continued this week, thanks in part to the Knicks’ 120-102 blowout loss to Chicago. Although they recovered nicely with a win over the Dallas Mavericks on Thursday night, Fizdale is still considered to be on the hot seat, especially following the team’s previous loss to the Bulls—one in which rookie Coby White outscored the entire Knicks team by himself in the fourth quarter of the contest.

Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News believes that if Dolan moves to fire Fizdale during the regular season, it could also jeopardize the status of those in the front office. Should a scenario unfold where team president Steve Mills or GM Scott Perry be out of a job, one of the names reportedly being tossed around is Presti.

“There is already speculation around the league about potential front office replacements, with two names surfacing most often: Toronto president Masai Ujiri and Oklahoma City GM Sam Presti. Presti (meanwhile) sprouted from the Spurs tree and has served as the Thunder’s GM since 2007. He drafted Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and James Harden but has been hamstrung by running a team in one the league’s smallest markets. After 12 years in OKC, it’s easy to envision him being tempted by New York.”

Right now, that’s certainly a lot of speculation. Fizdale, Mills, and Perry are all still employed and other names as potential candidates would likely come up should there be an opening in New York.

But it wouldn’t be completely unreasonable for the Knicks to make a run at Presti, should the opportunity present itself.

Rookie Wire Power Rankings: Ja Morant stays on top for Week 3

Rookie Wire took a look at the top rookies through the third week of the 2019-20 NBA season.

With three weeks officially in the books, it appears as though players are beginning to feel the rigors of the NBA season. More guys are getting banged up each week and some have missed time as a result.

When it comes to the rookie class so far, some players are starting to heat up while others are regressing after a hot start to open up the year. The fascinating part about this crop of first-year players, though, is there have been some players emerge seemingly out of nowhere to gain notoriety and perform well in the early going.

Rookie Wire will compile the rankings of the five best players each week based on how they performed on the court. The rankings are not for Rookie of the Year purposes but, rather, to illustrate the top-performing players week to week.

Here are the Rookie Wire Power Rankings for Week 3:

Week 1 Power Rankings | Week 2 Power Rankings

All stats are through games played on Nov. 12

5. Brandon Clarke, Grizzlies

Stats: 11.8 points, 6.6 rebounds, 1.4 blocks, 1 assist

Rank Last Week: N/A

While Brandon Clarke is still just ninth among rookies in scoring, the 21st overall pick has really emerged over the past week or so. He is averaging 15 points and six rebounds over his last three games and is shooting a blistering 69.2% from the field. In fact, his 60% field-goal percentage on the season ranks fifth in the NBA among all players. He went a perfect 7-of-7 from the field on Nov. 6 for 18 points and shot 6-of-7 two games later on Monday for 14 points. Clarke is taking shots he is most comfortable with and is rarely forcing things. He may not shoot 60% all season long but if he continues taking good shots and doesn’t it, he should have a strong first year with the Grizzlies.

4. R.J. Barrett, Knicks

Stats: 16 points, 5.8 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 1.4 steals

Rank Last Week: 2

Prior to recording 21 points on Tuesday night, R.J. Barrett had struggled over his previous two games, recording just 12 combined points on just 25% (5-of-20) shooting from the field. His workload remains astronomical this season with the Knicks and doesn’t appear to be slowing down, at least as long as David Fizdale is running the show. Barrett started off the season strong but has since struggled with his efficiency from all over the court — the mid-range, 3-pointers and at the rim. Given his workload and role in the offense as the main option, Barrett could see his inconsistent play continue until he breaks out of his slump but it shouldn’t take away from the fact that he has been an exciting player to watch this season.

Exhibit A:

3. Eric Paschall, Warriors

Stats: 15.6 points, 4.4 rebounds, 1.4 assists

Rank Last Week: 4

As the Warriors continue to struggle, Eric Paschall has been among the few bright spots thus far this season. After dealing with so many injuries, 11 players have missed at least one game this season, the Warriors have been forced to rely on Paschall. He has responded by averaging 15.6 points per game, good for fourth among rookies. He was forced to miss a game recently due to a hip injury but he returned on Monday to score eight points and six rebounds in a losing effort. Touted as a player that could contribute now, Paschall has shown that he has the potential to go off during games as evident by his career-high 34-point performance on Nov. 4. While the Warriors could miss the playoffs this season, the emergence of Paschall has been encouraging for the future.

2. Kendrick Nunn, Heat

Stats: 16.9 points, 2.8 assists, 2.3 rebounds, 1.6 steals

Rank Last Week: 3

The undrafted Kendrick Nunn continues to show that he belongs near the top of the rookie class this year. On Tuesday, Nunn helped the Heat overcome several injuries, including one to rookie teammate Tyler Herro, by scoring 20 points in a 117-108 win over the Detroit Pistons, shooting 4-of-8 from 3-point range. Nunn ranks second in scoring among rookies, just trailing Ja Morant. Nunn had been a bit quiet over his previous five games but bounced back in a big way on Tuesday and continues to be an under-the-radar player on the verge of a strong season.

1. Ja Morant, Grizzlies

Stats: 17.8 points, 5.2 assists, 3.6 rebounds, 1 steal

Rank Last Week: 1

Since erupting for 26 points on Nov. 6, Ja Morant has struggled some over his last two games but the second overall pick has been sensational for the Grizzlies this season. After that game, Morant became the first player since Michael Jordan during the 1984-85 season to average at least 20 points and five assists on 50% shooting through his first seven career games. His numbers have dropped a tad since then but Morant is still first among rookies in scoring and perhaps the frontrunner for Rookie of the Year at this point. Of course, there is still plenty of basketball left to be played but Morant is showing his potential early on this season.

Honorable Mention:

P.J. Washington, Hornets: 13.5 points, 6.2 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 1.4 steals

While P.J. Washington dropped out from our Week 2 rankings, the 11th overall selection had a solid week for the Hornets and is still sixth in rookie scoring. He still leads the class among qualified players in 3-point shooting at 48.6% and is second in rebounding and third in steals. He is getting it done on both ends of the floor given his versatility and has proven to be fun to watch this season.

Rui Hachimura, Wizards: 13.6 points, 6.1 rebounds, 1.5 assists

Rui Hachimura is coming off one of his finest performances of the season after recording 21 points and seven rebounds on Friday against the Cleveland Cavaliers. He has battled through consistency issues — he went scoreless in 20 minutes on Nov. 6 — but has shown to have a short memory to bounce back the next night. Still, he has been one of the most entertaining rookies to this point.

Tyler Herro, Heat: 13.1 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.2 assists

The Heat rookie did not play Tuesday due to a sprained ankle but he has had a solid season to this point. Perhaps most impressive is Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra spoke very highly of him recently after saying he has seen improvement from Herro in each game. Herro has also drawn praise from his teammates for his work ethic, something that will only carry Herro in the future.

On the Rise:

Coby White, Bulls: 12.5 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists

After hitting seven 3-pointers alone in the fourth quarter on Tuesday night, it shouldn’t be a surprise White is on the rise. His burst gave him the highest scoring average among rookies over the past week and he will certainly try to continue that moving forward.

Cameron Johnson, Suns: 7.4 points, 2.8 rebounds

Suns head coach Monty Williams recently shortened his rotation, which has led to more playing time for Johnson. He has scored in double figures in back-to-back games for the first time this season and is coming off of an 11-point performance against the Lakers on Tuesday.

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Coby White set a Bulls record for most 3-pointers in a quarter in win

Coby White caught fire Tuesday night by drilling seven 3-pointers in the fourth quarter to lead the Bulls to a win over the Knicks.

Coby White caught fire on Tuesday night by recording a career-high 27 points, hitting seven 3-pointers alone in the fourth quarter to lead the Chicago Bulls to a 120-102 win over the New York Knicks.

White entered the fourth quarter having missed all three of his 3-pointers at that point for just four points but erupted for 23 of the team’s 35 points in the final period, converting on 7-of-8 shots from behind the arc. The eighth overall pick topped his previous career-high of 25 set on Oct. 25, while his seven treys were a new high on the season.

His seven 3-pointers set a Bulls record, and an NBA rookie record, for the most in a quarter. For reference, the NBA record for the most 3-pointers in a quarter by any player is nine, set by Klay Thompson on Jan. 23, 2015. There are three players tied with eight in a single quarter in NBA history.

Fittingly, White received a standing ovation from the home crowd as he left the court.

After a strong start to the year, recording 42 total points in the first two games, he managed to score just 31 over his next five outings combined. He has now scored in double figures in four straight games with a new career-high coming on Tuesday.

The breakout performance was much-needed for White to get his confidence back heading into the Bulls’ next game on Thursday against the Bucks. Perhaps the most impressive part of his evening was bouncing back from missing his first three 3-pointers to go off for seven in the fourth.

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