Billy Donovan doesn’t believe in coaching to survive. When his time is up with the Bulls, he’ll get up off the coaching chair, say his goodbyes and move on with no excuses or finger-pointing.
“Everybody wants great things said about them, everybody wants great things written about them,’’ Donovan said last week when his job security was brought up. “But I think for most of my life, as a player, as a coach, there’s always been criticism there. That’s just what it is. It doesn’t necessarily change me. I’m always going to try and do the best for our team.
“I know going forward I’m not going to be perfect, but I’m also going to work every day to help the group as best I can.’’
That’s what the summer was about for Donovan and his staff — working on tweaks offensively and defensively that can lift this group from falling a game short of the postseason by stumbling in the play-in game.
Has Donovan done enough?
That answer will begin playing itself out Wednesday, when the Bulls open the regular season at home against the Thunder.
Either way, this will not fall on Donovan. He is not only beloved by ownership and the front office, but he received a contract extension early in the 2022-23 season. No, this is about the Bulls’ players making this work.
Here are the five most important players for the Bulls to either live up to mediocre expectations or surpass them.
1. Patrick Williams — As has been their standard operating procedure, the Bulls let the rookie contract extension period pass on Monday, setting the stage for the market to set a price on Williams this summer and his front office having the option to match the restricted free agent or let him walk.
But if Williams can start being a double-double guy, while still shooting 40-plus% from three-point range and defending the opposition’s best wing player, the Bulls could easily jump into a No. 5 or No. 6 seed in the Eastern Conference.
And then Williams can get his payday.
2. Zach LaVine — This will be Year 10 for LaVine, and while he has earned max-player status, he also has one playoff win in that time. Not a series, just one game.
Not only does this roster need LaVine to continue being part of a top five rated defense like the Bulls were last season, but they also need him to be the player he was from Dec. 2 on, averaging 26 points per game on 50.7% from the field. On top of that, he needs to add shooting more threes to the resume and knowing when to take the right threes.
A lot to ask. With max money comes max responsibility.
3. Coby White — White has earned the starting point guard duties through a lot of hard work the past few seasons. He has long-range shooting in his bag, but now he must be able to balance that with smart decision making.
4. Alex Caruso — The veteran is the face of the defense and by far the toughest player on the roster when it comes to doing the dirty work. In doing that, however, he is also his own worst enemy in protecting his body from time spent in the training room.
The Bulls need his grit, but also need him in uniform on game nights rather than street clothes.
5. Nikola Vucevic — The big man wants to not only bring the ball up the floor at times but initiate the offense from the top of the key. It worked wonders for Miami and Denver in their playoff runs last season, but will Donovan fully commit to it? There were a few glimpses of it in the preseason but stay tuned.
