"The character of this room creates the resilience of this basketball team" - Coby White on how the Chicago Bulls rally from huge deficits

The Bulls are a resilient bunch.
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It may not be the best way to get wins, but the Chicago Bulls are making a habit of rallying from huge deficits. On Monday, Chicago faced imminent defeat as they trailed by 22 points, 89-67, late in the third quarter. However, in a remarkable turn of events, the Bulls kept their wits about them and mounted a stellar comeback to win, 113-109.

After the game, Bulls guard Coby White wasn’t surprised by his teammates' resiliency, saying it speaks to the team's character.

A group of hard-nosed fighters

White has spent his entire career playing for the Bulls, and he’s gotten to know many of his teammates on a deeper level. He explained that compared to what his comrades have had to overcome to play in the NBA, a 22-point deficit is nothing.

“The character of the guys in this room. The stuff a lot of these guys went through in their lifetime and how they fought through it and how every challenge that came their way they seemed to get over it and run through that wall. The character of this room creates the resilience of this basketball team,” White shared.

White has a solid point

A closer look at the Bulls’ roster proves just how resilient these players truly are. From undrafted rookies to seasoned veterans, each player has a story of determination and perseverance. Take point guard Ayo Dosunmu, for example, the 38th pick of the 2021 NBA Draft.

After a stellar rookie campaign, Dosunmu struggled to find his footing in his sophomore season. With recruit Jevon Carter coming to Chicago in the offseason, many expected him to ride the pine, buried deep in the depth chart. Yet, here is Dosunmu, playing a pivotal role for the Bulls as injuries have stripped the roster of key players.

Then, of course, there’s Alex Caruso, the fan-favorite guard known for his hustle and energy on the court. Undrafted out of Texas A&M, Caruso worked his way up through the G-League before finally earning a spot on the Los Angeles Lakers roster. And now, he’s an integral part of the Bulls’ defensive identity.

Billy Donovan impressed by the fight Coby White showed versus the Sacramento Kings


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Stephen Beslic
STEPHEN BESLIC

Stephen Beslic is a writer on Sports Illustrated's FanNation Network. Stephen played basketball from the age of 10 and graduated from Faculty of Economic and Business in Zagreb, Croatia, majoring in Marketing.