First successful start for Ayo Dosunmu with the Bulls | NBA

« He is unfazed, that’s what I like about him », Loose Billy Donovan about Ayo Dosunmu, to whom he learned that he would hold one hour before the kickoff of the meeting vis-a-vis the Nuggets. A first tenure linked to the absence of DeMar DeRozan, placed in solitary confinement under the Covid protocol.

Maybe not disturbed, but a little timid at the start of this match. A slip on a dribble on the counter-attack, a reverse layup and a missed 3-point attempt… But once he got into it, the rookie did his team a lot of good.

After his first two misses on shots, he didn’t miss a thing and clearly shone in the second half. The full-back found his teammates playing straightforward, although he clearly ignited the United Center with his laser inside pass to Tony Bradley’s bossy dunk. Or with his pass for Lonzo Ball’s “alley-oop”.

He was also shown in defense, like his challenge to the placement of Jeff Green at the post, which turned into an intercepted ball thanks to which he was able to conclude in a counterattack. Results of his very complete match: 11 points (4/6), 8 assists (new record) and 6 rebounds.

Introduced in the five like Derrick Rose

« It was pretty cool actually ”, book the native of Chicago, who asked to be introduced thus by the announcer, not with the name of college, in the manner of a Derrick Rose (which the rookie was not aware of when he was questioned at a press conference). “Seeing my name among the starters brought back memories of my first college games. It’s a feeling that’s hard to explain. A feeling of joy and excitement. I just wanted to take my chance. »

The 21-year-old says he has followed his ” instinct To shine in this game. ” During my three years at the University of Illinois, all the staff taught me how to play defense, and that’s what I want to do, be a “two-way player”. I know that to be on the pitch, to gain Coach Donovan’s trust, I have to be able to play hard on both sides and make smart decisions. », Continues the player drafted in the second round.

Apart from a few small hiccups, including a ball lost in the last quarter for a foot on the line, that’s what he did. It is no coincidence that the rookie had the most playing time in this match: 42 minutes! ” He has this energy in him, he is very confident when he comes into play “, Remarks Lonzo Ball, according to whom the Bulls make him” 100% confidence ».

Billy Donovan logically imagines him progressing technically but notes that his competitive spirit is already impressive for his young age. ” I really like to coach him because we can really tell him things frankly ”, develops the coach. “He wants to hear what he needs to do to improve. […] That’s what he is as a competitor. There might be guys who shoot better than him, who are faster or more athletic than him. But he’s got a big heart, he’s competitive and he has an impact on winning. »