East Notes: Bulls, Zach LaVine, Knicks, Wizards

Bulls

Guard Zach LaVine is questionable for the season opener because of left knee injury management, per KC Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago.

“The main thing is I’m healthy and I feel really good and I’m getting to know the new offense and new team,” LaVine said, via Johnson. “Not having any aches and pains and being able to play without any limitations in my own mind is huge. Like, ‘OK, I can’t go left. Or I might not be able to dunk this play.’ You’re not supposed to be thinking that way when you’re playing basketball. And I was dealing with that a lot last year. I’m just happy I feel better.”

• Guard Coby White said he wasn’t that surprised he didn’t receive an extension by the deadline for the 2019 draft class on Monday. ” I wasn’t really focused on that. Just play this year out,” he said, via Rob Schaefer of NBC Sports Chicago. “I put in a lot of work this summer, so let my work show and take it from there. Like I’ve been saying, I’m just here to help my team win.”
• Patrick Williams will open the season as the Bulls’ starting power forward, coach Billy Donovan said, via Darnell Mayberry of The Athletic. That means Javonte Green will be with the second unit.

Knicks

Veteran point guard Derrick Rose is clearly impressed with Jalen Brunson, the newcomer who arrived via free agency and the Mavericks.

“He’s giving us everything,” Rose said, via Ian Begley of SNY.tv. “Just seeing how much of a leader he is, his leadership skills, how vocal he is. I’m learning from him. He’s always picking people up every day. He’s very consistent with his energy. You always hear his voice. That’s what you need from your point guard.”

• The play-in tournament and “tangible progress” could be considered a success for the Knicks this season, Begley wrote in his season preview.

Wizards

• With the likes of shooting guard Bradley Beal, power forward Kristaps Porzingis and small forward Kyle Kuzma, the Wizards should at least be fun to watch this season, wrote Chase Hughes of NBC Sports Washington.
• Beal said he doesn’t feel as if the rest of the NBA has forgotten about him after he spent the second part of last season out with a wrist injury. “No, no. It’s been like that my whole career, no change now,” he said, via Hughes. “I’ve been slighted even when I was healthy so it doesn’t matter.”