This is the thing about a benching of Billy Donovan: it’s purposeful, not punitive.
So when the Bulls’ coach decided to replace Coby White, Patrick Williams and Wendell Carter Jr. put in favor of veterans Tomáš Satoranský, Denzel Valentine and Thad Young to start Wednesday’s second half, he did so to strongly reward players who closed out a flat first half, especially defensively.
More importantly, he showed confidence in the players who contributed greatly to a ridiculous 25-point deficit in the first half by concluding the Bulls’ 105-102 victory over the Pistons with them.
And what do you know? Carter finishes with 18 points and assists a more aggressive and physical defensive effort in the second half. White sank a big 3-pointer by 61 seconds for a four-point lead. And Williams scored 12 of his 15 points in the fourth quarter, including a huge three-pointer with 29 seconds left.
Initially, Donovan tried to backtrack on a message sent to the young players in his comments.
“I was just like, ‘Listen, I’m going to put the guys out there that I’m going to set up really defensively and try to get this as hard as possible,’ ‘he said.
But there is always a purpose to the veteran coach.
‘“I’m sure those guys were probably really disappointed because they didn’t get the chance to start the third term,” he said. ‘They see how the other guys came out and the fact that we were back in the game, and now there’s a little more responsibility on them to do the things they know about. I give them the honor of keeping their head in the game.
‘I hope the guys sitting there appreciate the minutes they get and the opportunity to play. Other guys step up. But it’s not like I do not trust those guys. It was just a matter of not competing at the level we needed.
‘I thought the right thing to do from the bench was to help Zach (LaVine) by shooting to place him. Clearly, Patrick made a big hit when the ball found him in the corner and so did Coby. And it was two guys who, in my opinion, were not particularly good on both sides of the floor in that first half. As professionals, you hope they go to the locker room, regroup them and realize that some changes will be made: ‘If my number is called again, I have to get ready and prepare.’ And I think those guys did it. ”
And in a sign of how a young team is maturing as the season progresses, these young players have done so without much reason.
“It was just a learning experience, ”White said. “I personally, I had to grow up a little bit – to let shots influence how I play. I have to compete on both sides of the track. Accept a challenge and go ahead and do what I can to help my team win. ”
What Donovan is trying to do with his young players is to make them understand how they can influence games, even on nights when shots don’t fall. The effort and competitiveness cannot have an on-off switch. It’s essential to control what you can control – run back to the defense, box, and follow the game plan.
Because shots are going to fall on some nights and not on others. But the commitment to win can never.
“Coach is going to challenge you; “I think I said it a lot this year, I think they responded and it shows a lot of confidence that he has in them to play them down to the point,” LaVine said of the players. “I think he just wanted to send a message and get them started. I think they responded well. ”
Donovan talked about building championship habits. He and his staff took the step by doing what they did Wednesday night. There is a standard game that must be adhered to in order to get playing time.
And there is a total purchase and acceptance of this message, which is also conveyed by veterans like Young and Garrett Temple.
‘I told Pat it was a great opportunity. He is young, so he probably did not even think it was a big chance, “said Young laughing about Williams’ late 3-pointer. “We needed it. Coby said the same thing.
‘They did not start in the second half, but just talked to Wendell and Coby and made them understand the’ why ‘. The biggest part is that we did not get energy and that the pace was not as it should be. The veteran unit that Coach (Donovan) decided to start in the second half knew we had to start well, not only offensively but also defensively. ”
After all, it worked because Donovan’s decisions have a purpose, not a punishment.
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