Bulls rookie guard Coby White will play a ‘Microwave’ role ... for now

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Bulls guard Coby White doesn’t like to swim in self-praise. He doesn’t even wade in it.

Most NBA rookies don’t when they deal with the media, especially while answering questions about their personal success.

So when he was asked after the victory Monday over the Kings how he has been able to come off the bench and make an instant impact, he hesitated as he carefully chose his words.

Teammate Tomas Satoransky jumped in before White could respond.

“He’s the ‘Microwave,’ ” Satoransky said as he headed to the training room.

That’s not a bad description, despite the fact that former Pistons “Bad Boy” Vinnie Johnson already owned that nickname in the 1980s. But Satoransky was just keeping up with the times. The ’80s are back in vogue, so why not reboot the nickname?

White could only laugh as his teammate walked away.

“This has been challenging for me, for sure,” White finally said. “I haven’t come off the bench in years.”

And it has been years since the Bulls have had a rookie come off the bench and make this kind of impact. Lauri Markkanen was a starter from Day 1 in his rookie season. Denzel Valentine and former Bull Bobby Portis went through growing pains in that role.

Not White, and the latest evidence came against the Kings.

His 11 points on 4-for-9 shooting — including 3-for-6 from three-point range — were pedestrian considering some of his other outings this season. But the Bulls were plus-13 with White in the game, and that proved vital on a night when all five starters were in the minus category.

“He’s got a great mentality for the game,” coach Jim Boylen said. “When you care, you work, and you have some smarts, you’ve got a good shot to be a good player.”

Just don’t try to sell White on that yet.

In his mind, there have been good moments this season, but there also is uncertainty. When White said he hasn’t “come off the bench in years,” he wasn’t exaggerating.

“That’s why sometimes you see my inconsistency,” said White, the No. 7 overall pick out of North Carolina. “Some games it’s there, and some games it’s not. It’s been a long time since I wasn’t a starter. I’d say it was when I was 12 or 11 years old and I was playing up an age group with an AAU team.

“Other than that, I’ve never come off the bench, so it’s difficult. But I’m embracing it.”

He’s doing more than that, averaging 13 points per game, but he’s accurate in describing his inconsistency. He has followed up 20-plus-point performances with single digits three times. It’s about getting comfortable in the role while staying aggressive.

That’s the fine line he’s trying to walk.

“He’s got so many areas to grow in, like a lot of our team,” Boylen said. “But where he’s great is, he competes and he’s not scared.’’

Plus, White sees the bigger picture.

He’ll continue to play the role of “Microwave” and put in all the extra shooting before and after practice. That’s because he’s planning to start. White doesn’t know when, but he knows it will happen.

“I’m embracing it and trying to do whatever I can to help my team win in this role,” White said. “Whatever is asked of me, because I know it’s not going to be like this forever.”