DETROIT – When rotation changes are made or more minutes are handed out, someone is usually the odd-man out.
Julian Phillips knows that all too well lately.
The numbers show it, and Bulls coach Billy Donovan even admitted to it, acknowledging that he was searching for a way to get Phillips more playing time since the latest rotation change was made four games ago.
The second-year wing was averaging 14.2 minutes per game through the month of December and started off January on a similar track, that is until Donovan wanted a new look with both his first and second units.
Out of the starting lineup was Patrick Williams, in was Lonzo Ball, while rookie Matas Buzelis has earned more playing time with the second unit.
A perfect storm that has Phillips suddenly on the outside looking in.
“It hasn’t been frustrating for me,” Phillips said on Sunday. “You kind of got to go with what the team thinks is best and whatever that is from a coaching standpoint, it’s what it’s going to be, so I can only do the best I can to stay ready whenever I do get that opportunity.”
Since Donovan made the changes, Phillips played six minutes against Philadelphia, grabbed 11 minutes in Boston because it was a blow-out late, and then got a DNP (Did Not Play) Coach’s Decision in the win over the Raptors.
He did get in the rotation earlier on Sunday, but it doesn’t help his cause that Zach LaVine has also been missing for the last three games. LaVine was expected back for Tuesday’s game with the Heat after he left the team for the birth of his third child. Jalen Smith, who has been a key for the second unit, was also out against the Pistons with an illness.
Where it will get interesting for Phillips is after the trade deadline. If the Bulls do move a body or two, what do they get back and will it be a player that moves ahead or behind Phillips in the rotation pecking order?
All he can focus on is staying ready and making sure that when he does get playing time like he did on Sunday, he stays in his lane on what he can do talent-wise and not try and do too much.
“You don’t want to go out there and try and be perfect because that’s not going to happen,” Phillips said. “You just try to go out there and play as hard as you can, do the things that got you on the floor and can impact winning, help the team. For me it’s just go hard.”
Switched
There are still some growing pains with the second unit when Williams and Buzelis are on the floor together, but Williams sees a lot of promise in the frontcourt duo. Specifically, on the defensive end for rebounding into getting the break going and then the ability to guard multiple positions on switches.
“On the defensive end it kind of gives us an opportunity to switch one through five,” Williams said. “With ‘Sticks’ (Jalen Smith) out there too, who is really a big that can be a stretch-four on some teams, just being able to switch one through five.”
Williams pointed out that because Buzelis, Smith and himself can also push the pace it’s been leading to crossmatches on the defensive end for the opposition, and easier scoring opportunities.
Back in the mix
Donovan was still waiting for 100% confirmation, but the coach did say that all signs point to LaVine being back with the team for the home game against the Heat on Tuesday. The team was not scheduled to practice on Monday, so LaVine had a window.