"Bro, just go hoop. Do your thing" - Coby White on what he told Zach LaVine upon his return

White encouraged Zach LaVine to do his thing.

© David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

As Zach LaVine rejoined the Chicago Bulls, which had been performing better without him with a 10-7 record, he may have felt a twinge of uncertainty. The team was playing a more fluid and efficient brand of basketball. 

However, Coby White, the Bulls' guard, recognized the value LaVine brought to the team and offered him some straightforward yet profound advice: "Just go hoop. Do your thing."

Wise words from the young guard

Talks were ripe about White being the player who the return of LaVine would most impact. However, that has not been the case, as the former Tar Heel is averaging 26.3 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 6.3 assists in the last three games, all with LaVine in the lineup. At the same time, White knows what LaVine brings to the table and encourages his teammate to do what he’s done all throughout his career: get buckets.

"I went to him and said, 'Bro, just go hoop. Do your thing. Don’t try to change who you are. Just keep being you,'" White shared.

CLUTCH COBY WHITE.@NBCSChicago | @CobyWhite pic.twitter.com/4U7qCrerwE

— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) January 11, 2024

Great relationship

White and LaVine have been teammates for five years now, and since then, the two have built a strong relationship both on and off the court. This bond has been evident in their seamless chemistry during games, with White often finding LaVine for open shots or setting him up for highlight-worthy dunks.

"I love playing with him," White said.

"He always comes to me and tells me to keep being aggressive. He gives me confidence. We’ve been playing together a long time now. He knows how I feel I on the court. I know how he feels on the court. We have that connection where if we feel like we’re off, we can come to each other and tell each other that."

Bulls duo tonight:

White — LaVine —
30 PTS 25 PTS
8 AST 13 REB
6 3P 7 AST

Undefeated since LaVine has been back. pic.twitter.com/GlSbDv8AXB

— StatMuse (@statmuse) January 11, 2024

Coby White believes the next step to improving his game is learning how to move without the ball