Satoransky backs promotion of White to primary point guard
New Bulls coach Billy Donovan didn't waste any time in stating Coby White will be the team's primary ballhandler this year.
Tomas Satoransky, who started at point guard for every game but one last season, said he took no offense at White's promotion.
"Yeah, for sure I think he deserves that," Satoransky said Friday on a Zoom call with reporters. "I really like the progress that he did last season, especially how he ended up the year. After the all-star break he had an unbelievable run.
"Even after I saw him after nine months (at the minicamp in September), he had huge progress and you could tell he was working out a lot. I can see the difference also from a mental standpoint, just from conversation with each other, that he really matured over that year. And I think he deservedly should be in this role."
Satoransky said he appreciated White's comment about how he's looking forward to competing against Satoransky in practice. White struggled for a large chunk of his rookie season, then averaged 26.1 points over the last nine games.
In his first season with the Bulls, Satoransky averaged 9.9 points, 5.4 rebounds and shot 32.2 percent from 3-point range.
"At the end of the year it seemed like I couldn't hit a shot when I was wide open," Satoransky said. "What I tried to use this time off was to work with my shooting coach overseas, who really helped me three years ago.
"I actually had a lot of time to work with him. I feel very confident. I changed my shot a little bit to be a little quicker and feel confident about going to this new season. Hopefully that is going to pay off."