With Bulls in need, Green flashes unseen scoring skills
There's been a surprising development while the Bulls' injury list has been overflowing.
Hardworking role player Javonte Green has become a scorer.
Up until Jan. 28, Green had six double-figure scoring games all season. Now he's had five in a row. He's gone from averaging 6 points per game to 14.6, while shooting 60% from the field and getting to the foul line more often than anyone on the team besides DeMar DeRozan.
"I think he's been a really good cutter, moving in the half-court offense and finding gaps and seams," Bulls coach Billy Donovan said. "He's a guy that's gotten out on the break. I think off-ball actions, he's done a really good job of reading how he's being defended and where he can maybe create some easy baskets for us."
True, Green has done a great job of finding the right time to make a cut for the basket. He'd probably average more points if they'd look for him more often.
Asked if there's an art to finding the right time to cut, the former high school quarterback was nonchalant about the whole transformation.
"These guys like DeMar, Vuc (Nikola Vucevic), they draw so much attention, so I just try to wait for when the defender's got their attention on them and cut right behind them," Green said. "I just feel like the opportunity comes, trying to make the most of it."
Follow the Suns:
There are plenty of comparisons to be made between the Bulls and last year's Suns. Both teams were on a run of missing the playoffs, with an underrated shooting guard who had never been to the playoffs. Then a solid veteran showed up and everything changed.
Now, can the Bulls get to the NBA Finals like Phoenix did last year behind Chris Paul and Devin Booker? That's the goal, at least.
"I do see a lot of similarities between Chris Paul and DeMar DeRozan, in terms of the impact that Chris made when he came to Oklahoma City," Bulls coach Billy Donovan said. "I think DeMar's made a huge impact here.
"I think Booker being in the organization, like Zach (LaVine's) been here. I recruited Devin a little bit, so I know him a little bit. He's a great guy, he's a team-first guy that wants to win. I think the same thing can be said about Zach."
Donovan coached Paul for one season in Oklahoma City and the Thunder fared much better than everyone expected that year. The Bulls have already exceeded last season's win total with DeRozan on board, while the Suns have the league's best record.
"Sometimes young players don't realize how fortunate they are to have a veteran sitting in the locker room," Donovan said. "When (Paul's) gone and finished playing at some point, there will be guys that are younger, I guarantee it, that will say 'Man, I wish I would have picked his brain more.'"
All-star update:
The NBA announced two injury replacements for the All-Star Game, naming Charlotte's LaMelo Ball and San Antonio's Dejounte Murray to step in for Kevin Durant and Draymond Green, respectively. Boston's Jayson Tatum will take Durant's place as a starter. Durant and LeBron James will pick teams on Thursday