White on Bulls' new offense: 'Way more movement'
While the Bulls try to get back in the groove after a long layoff, they're also part of a moving classroom.
They need to learn the system of new coach Billy Donovan and don't have much time, with the season opener arriving in two weeks. After the second full team practice on Monday, Coby White was asked to describe the Donovan offense.
"It's just more movement, way more movement, on and off the ball," he said. "It's not just (the ball) sticking and just calling for a ball-screen at the top of the key or on the wing. So it's a lot more movement with our bodies, on and off the ball."
That sounds like something to look forward to. Former coach Jim Boylen tried a new offense last year, but it was an effort to follow the NBA trend of more 3-point attempts, when the Bulls didn't have many good 3-point shooters.
It remains to be seen how much focus Donovan will place on 3-point shooting, but his Oklahoma City squad ranked 27th in the league in 3-point attempts with 30.2 per game. The Bulls finished last season ranked 11th in attempts and 22nd in 3-point percentage.
White was also asked if there's anything unique to a Donovan practice, anything that sets it apart. So far, the practices have been relatively short, roughly 90 minutes, based on information provided by the team.
"It's hard but it's good," White said. "There's no time wasted. Everything is with a purpose and everything is direct and to the point and everything is just focused on us getting better. It's been unbelievable this training camp, it's been great."
When the Bulls open the preseason against Houston this weekend, two Bulls in particular will be in the spotlight. One is White, who finished last season on a nine-game tear. The other is rookie forward Patrick Williams, who went from relative unknown to the No. 4 draft pick in the span of a few days last month.
Williams talked Monday about how his first few days of NBA practice have gone.
"Way quicker, way faster," Williams said. "You've got to break down the knowledge that you get and then apply it in game situations. It's definitely been quicker, it's definitely been more physical. It's been slowing down as the days have gone on.
"We don't have a lot of time so I've been getting as many reps as I've can, watching film after practice, things like that to slow it down even more because, like I said, we don't have that much time. It's definitely been faster, definitely been more physical, but it's slowing down now."
Donovan has talked about Williams' potential on defense. That might be a path to getting early court time, but Williams didn't want to commit to any personal playing-time strategy.
"My path is whatever path coach gives me," Williams said. "Whatever he wants me to do, that's what I'm going to do. I don't really want to create my own path. I want the coaching staff and these guys to give me my path. I mean I'm a rookie and they've been doing this for a while. They may see a better path than I see. I've just been relying on them.''
The Bulls won't practice Tuesday, giving them two more days to prepare for Friday's preseason opener at the United Center.
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