Chicago Bulls: Donovan’s starting lineup change speaks volumes

That is more like it! The Chicago Bulls finally took advantage of an undermanned Toronto Raptors team, playing without star power forward/center Pascal Siakam. It was a much-needed win after two straight losses following the All-Star break. They beat the Raptors with ease 118 to 95.

The Bulls came into the night of March 14 looking like a much different team from every angle, coach Billy Donovan made some very important adjustments to the starting line-up.

Replacing starting point guard Coby White and starting center/forward Wendell Carter Jr. with veteran reserves power forward Thaddeus Young and guard Tomas Satoransky.

The change came mainly due to WCJ’s last two performances. He looked flat and played out of sink in the last two loses, his lack of confidence and not staying aggressive has hurt this team. Being outplayed by reserves has not helped his case.

His unwillingness to stay aggressive in key situations has been costly and not being able to capitalize on taking advantage of teams with their centers out of the line-up. Completely justified move that had to be made by the coaching staff.

Coby has struggled all season with his transition to becoming a starting point guard in this league. He just has not quite figured things out yet. Coby looks to be playing out of position at the PG spot. He is better suited as a volume shooting guard.

The benching was exactly what these two young Bulls players needed to motivate them. WCJ came in off the bench in the first quarter and was aggressive offensively from the start. In just 19 minutes he was 4-of-9 shooting ending his night with a 12-point, 11 rebound double-double.

Coby was effective off the bench as well. he finishing his night playing 27 minutes scoring 13 points. Not his best statistical performance by his measure but he was able to play more freely and in the flow off the offense. Cody is just not ready for that starting point guard role yet.

As for Sato, he was able to do what we have needed out of the starting point guard spot on this Bulls team. He commanded the offense effectively as well as getting his teammates involved early and was a playmaker, most importantly Sato was able to limit costly turnovers.

He was a very efficient 4 for 8 shooting with 10 points, seven assists and six rebounds, just a very veteran like performance from the Bulls guard. He was also able to lead in ways Coby has not been able to and that is with his high basketball IQ.

Young was the spark the Bulls needed in the front court. He plays the game how it should be played, freely and without any sense of selfishness. Young is a true veteran who knows what it takes to win at the highest level. He is an asset to this young core.

Young played aggressive but in control picking his spots reading the defense and making the correct basketball plays in the flow of Donovan’s offense. Young had an efficient night scoring 10 points, seven assists and seven rebounds. He was doing it on both ends of the floor. Young’s ability to be in the right spot has become his staple this season.

Donovan’s altered roles for the Chicago Bulls

Both savvy veterans had a huge impact on the defensive side helping hold the Raptors to under 100 points. All four players may be playing for their future spots on this roster. We can all assume there is a bigger picture during this line-up change.

Patrick Williams benefited the most from this line-up change. He became a go to option and showed us what he is capable of. Scoring a career best 23 points on 9-of-14 shooting, adding six rebounds and four assists. Great night for the emerging rookie forward!

It was a very strong outing by this Bulls team. When it was all said and done nine players ended the game scoring in double figures. The starting line-up change  was daring, but the decision instantly paid off and the results were telling.

We must give coach credit where credit is due, he knew a change had to be made and two weeks before the trade deadline was the perfect time to make changes. Donovan made the right call and his players responded perfectly.

WCJ and White showed true class and a team first mentality in the way they handled the moves made by coach Donovan. They also took on the challenge brought on by the coach and embraced it.

No matter what Bulls players are  on the roster in the near future, it looks brighter than ever. With Donovan leading this team and the respect and belief they have in him; good things are happening.

I expect a lot more to come from this team and many more hard decisions being made as the season continues. A lot was said last night by the resilience and camaraderie of this young team.

It is now clearer than ever that all these guys want to do is win, no matter the cost. Zach LaVine is another name not mentioned much since last night. LaVine took a backseat to allow his teammates to do their thing. Another sign of the growth and will to want to win in this team.

Numbers mean nothing in a loss, and statistics tell a story. As the March 25 trade deadline approaches, will the Bulls be turning the page in this journey. Or will the new front office  repeating the same old story?

Only the next game coming against the Oklahoma City Thunder on March 16 can give us that answer, was a simple change all the Bulls needed or is a surprise coming.