The leader in the East, Chicago is also preparing to find Kobe White

The Bulls added two players to their traveling group for “back-to-back” games on Friday and Saturday, in Milwaukee and then in Cleveland. Recently sent to the G-League, Noah Essengue he was summoned, in case the opportunity arose, as well as Coby White which is getting closer to returning to competition.

« I feel good physically, no downtime. I’ve been running a lot, a lot, so that’s a positive, I’m trying to keep fit. I pushed it a bit to build up calf tolerance, so all is well », describes a playmaker talking about this injury that prevented him from returning to the NBA courts until now.

According to Billy Donovan, he should return to training next week. However, the Bulls’ busy schedule – four games in six days – will limit how often Kobe White can practice with his teammates.

The coach pointed to the team’s three days of rest after the Nov. 12 road game against the Pistons as the period in which Kobe White hopes to return to full-contact practice. The person in question is already playing 2-on-2 and 3-on-3 with staff and certain teammates.

This increasingly clear return will take place in a rather specific context. Because despite his absence, the Bulls have had a great start to the season with six wins in seven games. Enough to allow them to take first place in their conference. ” The start of the season is great, isn’t it? We are currently number one in the East. We have a very good team. No one saw us there today. We trust ourselves and each other », he comments.

Proud of Josh Giddei in full swing

The whole challenge is knowing how to integrate into the current collective dynamic. Because Kobe White was the team’s leading scorer after the transfer of Zach LaVine to the Bulls last February. This season, Chicago is among the league’s most efficient offense at 117.2 points per 100 possessions (3rd) thanks to a highly spread score: six players with 11 points or more.

Along with the very good Josh Giddy, he averaged nearly a triple-double with 23 points, 10 rebounds and 9 assists. “ He’s playing at an incredible level, obviously an All-Star level. I’ve always told him since he arrived that he can shoot a triple-double every night if he wants to. I told him the other night that I was proud to see him play. Despite everything he went through in his career, he remained true to himself. He asserted himself, silenced many detractors. You always have to love stories like this. “, says Kobe White.

While his coach sees in him ” an amazing team player », the playmaker does not imagine that his return could disrupt the good progress so far. ” My style of play fits perfectly with the style of our team. I make decisions quickly. I’m not a player who keeps the ball, I don’t keep it for myself. I play to win. So I don’t see any problem to return to the team », term-t-il.

How to read statistics? MJ = matches played; Min = Minute; Shots = Shots Successful / Shots Attempted; 3 points = 3 points / 3 points in an attempt; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive jump; Tot = Total number of jumps; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal mistakes; Int = intercepts; Bp = lost balls; Ct: Against; Points = Points.