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DENVER \u2013 The priorities for Coby White are simple: God, family, team, hard work, and winning \u2013 likely in that order.<\/p>\n
So while he did hear the chants of \u201cCoby White \u2026 Coby White \u2026\u201c behind enemy lines in Denver late in his 37-point performance on Monday, there was no chest thumping about it afterwards.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat was kind of crazy,\u201d White said. \u201cThat\u2019s not the first time we\u2019ve (heard chants), there\u2019s a lot of Bulls fans in Denver. A lot of times the last couple years we\u2019ve had Bulls chants in Denver.\u201d<\/p>\n
When he was then reminded it was \u201cCoby White\u201d chants, and not a single one about the Bulls, he said with a laugh, \u201cYou see, I\u2019m trying to deflect here.\u201d<\/p>\n
Deflect and downplay all you want, Mr. White, you have arrived in the national spotlight, like it or not.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s a reason why he was Player of the Week in the Eastern Conference the last two weeks,\u201d coach Billy Donovan said of White and his ongoing breakout. \u201cI would imagine around the league they recognize that.\u201d<\/p>\n
That they do.<\/p>\n
Nuggets coach Michael Malone fell all over himself praising White, and that was before the guard took the court at Ball Arena and fell just short of dropping a 40-burger.<\/p>\n
Not a real shock considering the scoring roll White has been on.<\/p>\n
Since Zach LaVine was traded on Feb. 2, White has averaged 24 points per game on 46.2% shooting from the field and 36.1% from three, getting to the free throw line 5.3 times per game.<\/p>\n
Where it really gets impressive, however, is his flammable scoring since the start of this month. White\u2019s averaged 29.8 points per game, shooting 50% from the field and 36.1% from three, getting to the free throw line 6.9 times per game.<\/p>\n
Only MVP-candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the Lakers\u2019 Luka Doncic, and Orlando\u2019s Paolo Banchero have played in at least 10 games over that time and averaged more.<\/p>\n
Solid company to be kept but not what Donovan was embracing.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo one is going to talk about it but one of the best plays he made in the (Nuggets) game in my opinion was in the fourth quarter they were making a run, and he kind of put his chest right out, kind of jumped and went vertical, took it on the chest, and I think (Peyton) Watson missed it and we rebounded the ball, and he got out on the break again,\u201d Donovan described. \u201cBut he\u2019s doing those things. He\u2019s not just scoring.\u201d<\/p>\n
If there\u2019s been a knock on White\u2019s game the last few seasons, it\u2019s come on the defensive side of the ball. He knows it, acknowledges it, and has worked to improve it. The shot can come and go from game-to-game, but defensive effort translates and is controllable.<\/p>\n
White knows that.<\/p>\n
And it\u2019s that mentality that leads to winning. While the scoring numbers have been impressive, the rise in the standings is where White\u2019s mind goes to.<\/p>\n
\u201cI try not to take these moments for granted,\u201d White replied, when asked about his scoring streak. \u201cI try to be grateful for them, be thankful that I\u2019ve got these guys around me that continue to push me every day and give me confidence.<\/p>\n
\u201cMost importantly we\u2019re putting together wins and like we say we\u2019re going to keep building together.\u201d<\/p>\n
That\u2019s why it\u2019s hard to put a ceiling on White, even in Year 6.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you look at his evolution as a player from his rookie year, second year, to where he is now, I mean the amount of work and drive,\u201d Donovan added. \u201cThat\u2019s the thing I love about him is he\u2019s completely, completely driven with being the very best he can be. He holds himself to a really high standard and I know when he doesn\u2019t play to the level he thinks he should, he feels like he\u2019s letting himself and his team down.<\/p>\n
\u201cOne of the reasons he\u2019s been able to grow so dramatically is he never, never looks outward on why he\u2019s not performing. Everything takes place inwardly on what he has to do. I have great respect and admiration for that.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n