Coby White has leveled up again?

[rosenthall]

No, Coby is streaky.

This isn't a new Coby, it's part of his repertoire and he'll mix in a cold streak where he's useless pretty soon.

I agree about the streaky part, but the difference with this run is that he's flashing a capacity he's never had before. His north-south game looks significantly more polished than at any time in the past. He's never had a month where he's drawn fouls like he has in march. This month he's averaging 29 points on 20 shots a game. He's never averaged that many points in a month before, and I'm pretty sure he's never been this efficient either. So he is reaching a new peak.

With Coby his streakiness should be put into context:

- Throughout the year he regresses away from what he's shown to be capable of in the past. This is the period where "he sucks".
- In that same year he usually hits a new high for himself, and it comes with a skill he hasn't shown before.
- You think "this is the new Coby", and project that new level of play for him moving forward
- The next year starts, and at some point he regresses away from his previous peak, but he's still better than what he was the previous year.

Coby's progression is like a sine wave, but with an upward trend.

So I definitely think he'll regress from where he's at right now, but his new skills will stick somewhat and he should have more efficient offense moving forward, even when he's slumping.

[rosenthall]

I think so. He's been attacking the rim, shooting mid-range, and getting to the line. All this while not shooting too well from 3. This is new, even compared to his hot stretch last year. He's not going to average 28 points per game, but he's now a legit reliable bucket getter for this team.

I think the big change for this version of Coby is he's made a transition from "(streaky) scorer" to "bucket getter". I agree with another point in the thread that he looks more like DeMar with his recent improvements. Coby's always struggled with reliably getting looks for himself, which is why his offensive efficiency has followed his jump shot. Hot and cold.

But he's really refined his ability to get his defender off-guard and keep himself poised while going to the rim. So his offensive efficiency should be less reliant on his outside shooting. Important if true.

[FriedRise]

The game has slowed down even more for him. This isn't just him on a crazy heater shooting 90% from 3 for a few weeks. His 3P% in this 9 game stretch is actually down (35.1%) compared to his career average (36.8%). But he's figured out a way to get to the rim and make something happen - which in many cases seem to be drawing contact and then going to the line. Looks like whatever strength conditioning he was doing is paying off because dude is absorbing a ton of contact to be able to get all these and-1s.

He was pretty good too last year, but it took him a little bit to adjust to the grueling schedule of playing NBA starter minutes. He sucked in the first couple months of the season figuring out how to play with the Mid 3 before picking it up in December once Zach went down. If you remember, last season was his first full year playing as a starter; he was coming off the bench before that playing 22 mpg.

The question is, is this sustainable? We know he can't rely on just his 3pt shooting because the dude is super streaky, so can he consistently go to the line 7-8 times a game and keep up this scoring output?

[Dez]

He has to be traded in the off-season, he'll get offered something more than the 18M the Bulls can offer.

He has to go.

[Chi town]

He has to be traded in the off-season, he'll get offered something more than the 18M the Bulls can offer.

He has to go.

Bulls can offer him whatever they want as an UFA.

They just can’t extend him past 18M per.

[Dez]

He has to be traded in the off-season, he'll get offered something more than the 18M the Bulls can offer.

He has to go.

Bulls can offer him whatever they want as an UFA.

They just can’t extend him past 18M per.

Which is why he's got to be traded.

[Chi town]

He has to be traded in the off-season, he'll get offered something more than the 18M the Bulls can offer.

He has to go.

Bulls can offer him whatever they want as an UFA.

They just can’t extend him past 18M per.

Which is why he's got to be traded.

I was in that camp before the TDL. Since Giddey’s emergence and Coby’s Bully Ball FT parade I’m for keeping him unless we get a great offer.

I’d love to know what type of offer you’d move him for.

[boozapalooza]

No, Coby is streaky.

This isn't a new Coby, it's part of his repertoire and he'll mix in a cold streak where he's useless pretty soon.

I agree about the streaky part, but the difference with this run is that he's flashing a capacity he's never had before. His north-south game looks significantly more polished than at any time in the past. He's never had a month where he's drawn fouls like he has in march. This month he's averaging 29 points on 20 shots a game. He's never averaged that many points in a month before, and I'm pretty sure he's never been this efficient either. So he is reaching a new peak.

With Coby his streakiness should be put into context:

- Throughout the year he regresses away from what he's shown to be capable of in the past. This is the period where "he sucks".
- In that same year he usually hits a new high for himself, and it comes with a skill he hasn't shown before.
- You think "this is the new Coby", and project that new level of play for him moving forward
- The next year starts, and at some point he regresses away from his previous peak, but he's still better than what he was the previous year.

Coby's progression is like a sine wave, but with an upward trend.

So I definitely think he'll regress from where he's at right now, but his new skills will stick somewhat and he should have more efficient offense moving forward, even when he's slumping.

Agreed, good post. In theory if this is a new version of Coby where hes attacking the rim, and keeps playing this style for good, it should cut down on his streakiness considerably. Getting to the basket leads to more consistent scoring than living and dying by the 3. Its encouraging to see from him.

What I love to see is hes putting up huge scoring numbers without massive volume. Hes taken more than 20 shots in 4/18 games post-Zach. Shows this isnt just due to him shooting a ton.

Lets hope Coby can keep up this style of play for good as his game evolves. Only 25. Showing what he can do with more muscle and strength as he has developed.

[GoBlue72391]

Coby has been gradually to moderately getting better over the course of his career, but there's more than enough evidence to show that any major "leveling up" is an unsustainable hot streak.

He's gotten better and continues to get better, but it's gradual. He hasn't taken some next level leap or anything.

I think the smart move is to sell high on him and not commit big money/years to a non-needle mover.

[Dez]

Bulls can offer him whatever they want as an UFA.

They just can’t extend him past 18M per.

Which is why he's got to be traded.

I was in that camp before the TDL. Since Giddey’s emergence and Coby’s Bully Ball FT parade I’m for keeping him unless we get a great offer.

I’d love to know what type of offer you’d move him for.

Whatever the best offer is, take it.

His next contract is going to be an overpay, he won't be worth it.

Cash in.

[WindyCityBorn]

I just want him to stay healthy. His prior hot streaks have usually ended because he was dealing with an injury or his role changed.

Just keep him healthy and don't muck with his role and let him cook.

He isn’t healthy right now he is dealing with ankle injury

Most players aren’t healthy right now.

[WindyCityBorn]

No, Coby is streaky.

This isn't a new Coby, it's part of his repertoire and he'll mix in a cold streak where he's useless pretty soon.

He is shooting poorly from 3 recently yet still be highly efficient because he is drawing fouls. I don’t think it’s a hot streak. His game is evolving. If he keeps getting the whistle it could be sustainable.

[WindyCityBorn]

He has to be traded in the off-season, he'll get offered something more than the 18M the Bulls can offer.

He has to go.

Go for what and who do we replace him with? Definitely not Ayo.

[WindyCityBorn]

Which is why he's got to be traded.

I was in that camp before the TDL. Since Giddey’s emergence and Coby’s Bully Ball FT parade I’m for keeping him unless we get a great offer.

I’d love to know what type of offer you’d move him for.

Whatever the best offer is, take it.

His next contract is going to be an overpay, he won't be worth it.

Cash in.

Not really. He is playing like a $25 million guy now.

[WindyCityBorn]

He has to be traded in the off-season, he'll get offered something more than the 18M the Bulls can offer.

He has to go.

Bulls can offer him whatever they want as an UFA.

They just can’t extend him past 18M per.

Which is why he's got to be traded.

He’s not getting traded this offseason unless it for a young all-star. So unlikely.

[Dez]

Bulls can offer him whatever they want as an UFA.

They just can’t extend him past 18M per.

Which is why he's got to be traded.

He’s not getting traded this offseason unless it for a young all-star. So unlikely.

Traded for a young All-Star despite not being an All-Star? Okay.

[WesPeace]

If Bulls receive great offer for him (top 10 - 1st round pick) or he gets attached with Vooch for some big deal, do it!

Otherwise option is, re-sign him for 1yr 18M and go from there.. then he is UFA, right?

What still bothers me with his game is his tunnel vision dribbles and drives to the basket. Sometimes he goes between 3-4 players, forcing too much.. and his Defense, still kinda poor.

[sco]

If Bulls receive great offer for him (top 10 - 1st round pick) or he gets attached with Vooch for some big deal, do it!

Otherwise option is, re-sign him for 1yr 18M and go from there.. then he is UFA, right?

What still bothers me with his game is his tunnel vision dribbles and drives to the basket. Sometimes he goes between 3-4 players, forcing too much.. and his Defense, still kinda poor.

I do agree with the tunnel vision problem. I think the two partial offsets are:

1) He isn't the PG anymore, so at least we aren't relying on him to be the main distributor, which reduces those occurences.

2) He is seemingly much better at making baskets or drawing fouls in those situations, so the TO rate would seem to be down on those.

The bad defense is real too, but having 4 other guys who don't suck on defense helps; however, having Vuc out there definitely amplifies the problem.

[Ice Man]

Thanks to his March exploits, Coby has pretty much caught the more-celebrated Tyler Herro with scoring stats. Tyler is averaging 24 points per 36 on 59% TS%, while Coby is at 22 points per 36 with the same True Shooting %.

[Stratmaster]

And so it begins.

Hilarious.