The Bulls’ Denzel Valentine takes high road in resurrecting his career

It could have been another moment for Bulls guard Denzel Valentine to make sure former coach Jim Boylen and his staff were reminded just how poor a job they did in assessing the kind of player he is.

As deep as Valentine was buried on Boylen’s bench for much of last season, he often wondered what kind of future he had with the organization.

Valentine continued answering that question in the Bulls’ blowout victory Saturday against the Magic in Orlando, Florida, getting the start in place of injured Lauri Markkanen and notching his first 20-point game since March 23, 2018.

Not bad for a ‘‘system player,’’ as Boylen privately called him several times.

‘‘It definitely feels really good,’’ Valentine said of his latest showing. ‘‘My third year was really hard for me, sitting out [with ankle surgery], and last year was really hard for me, obviously, being thrown in and out of the lineup. Mentally, it can kind of get frustrating; it can get hard. You can kind of take your mind to places where it doesn’t need to be.

‘‘I knew a game like this was going to happen eventually, as long as I just keep being a good dude and just put in the work and let the rest take care of itself. This gives me confidence to show me that I can do it, and I just need to elevate and keep going from here.’’

Things have been made easier under coach Billy Donovan, who wiped the slate clean from any assessments or assumptions the old regime had made about players.

Valentine has responded by jumping past players such as Chandler Hutchison and Ryan Arcidiacono in the rotation and giving Donovan another playmaker for a second unit that often has proved to be a difficult matchup for opposing benches.

‘‘Denzel has a really good feel of how to play,’’ Donovan said. ‘‘He can put the ball on the floor, obviously. He’s an elite shooter, but he’s also a terrific passer.

‘‘I really feel this with him: Everybody looks at him as maybe defense being something that is a challenge for him. I told him, ‘You have to work at it.’ He has done a really good job working at it.

‘‘He’s putting forth that effort, and I really respect him. He’s given us some really, really good boosts off the bench and, obviously, a great boost starting [Saturday].’’

That starting role might continue Monday, when the Bulls host the Wizards. With Markkanen (right shoulder) still questionable to return, Valentine makes the starting lineup smaller. But he also creates some mismatches, as the Magic learned.

‘‘I’ve always been in his corner,’’ guard Zach LaVine said of Valentine. ‘‘I’m glad to see him get this opportunity and capitalize on it. [It helps my game] a lot. Whenever you have high-IQ guys and they can shoot and create off the ball . . . I love having Denzel out there.’’

And as far as an ‘‘I told you so’’ to Boylen, Valentine is letting his actions do the talking.

‘‘Last year, I didn’t know what my future was going to be, where I was going to be at, but I try not to worry about that,’’ he said. “I try to focus on what’s at stake, looking forward, trying to put my work in every day. Just control what I can control and let the rest fall into place.’’