Bulls' youngsters need to step up and are embracing that challenge

NEW ORLEANS — It wasn’t always pretty.

There was a missed layup, an ugly three-point attempt and a couple of other hide-the-eyes moments from Bulls second-year guard Dalen Terry on Sunday against the Pelicans.

What there was at the end of the night, however, was an unlikely victory. And in his 15-plus minutes of playing time, Terry had a team-leading plus/minus of plus-17.

So go ahead and pick apart Terry’s game. It’s easy to do, considering how far he still has to go in his development. Just realize that Terry knows there’s a long journey in front of him and remains hell-bent on reaching the top.

‘‘We know we’re short-handed right now, but the way the vets on this team talk to me, talk to [rookie forward] Julian [Phillips], they preach not to be afraid of the challenge,’’ Terry said. ‘‘This is how you’re going to make your name in the league if you want to be here for a long time.’’

Terry and Phillips are among those whom the Bulls need to step up if they want to have any real shot of holding down a play-in spot in the Eastern Conference and making it to the playoffs. With guard Zach LaVine and forward Patrick Williams lost for the season because of foot surgeries and forward Torrey Craig out with a sprained right knee, the youngsters might be the difference between the postseason and the offseason.

That’s why when you see one, the other is usually close by. They are aware of the circumstances and the opportunity they have.

‘‘The way I’ve always approached the game is, I’m not afraid of the moment,’’ Terry said. ‘‘I know Julian is the same way. Us both being young guys and seeing each other through the early part of our careers, we both were talking constantly about that. Me and him talk about our thoughts every single day, about what’s here in front of us and how we’ve got to do better, do what it takes to sustain our rotation minutes.’’

Against the Pelicans, it was Terry’s opportunity. He finished with two points off a key steal, as well as four rebounds and three
assists.

Phillips saw less than two minutes of playing time.

That’s how it’s going to work for the time being. Coach Billy Donovan will mix-and-match the two based on the matchups the staff thinks the Bulls can have the most success against.

‘‘Looking at the other team’s rotations, who’s coming in at those spots, probably subbing according to that,’’ Donovan said. ‘‘The times you’re getting them on the floor, it’s probably a little more mapped out based on our rotations, their rotations.’’

Both, however, will be getting their share of playing time. As short-handed as the Bulls are, especially at power forward, Terry and Phillips are needed.

It comes down to what they do with those moments.

‘‘They want to get better,’’ guard Alex Caruso said.

Caruso would know. He is near both of them in the Bulls’ locker room and has no problem playing mentor, especially defensively.

‘‘They’re receptive to advice,’’ Caruso said. ‘‘I’ve talked to both of them about trying to play without fouling. That’s the hard thing. When you’re young, guys are older than you and crafty and smart. The game is slower for them. Any time you get a hand in or are out of position, they take advantage of it.

‘‘I think as long as you learn and develop and use the meaningful minutes to understand what’s going on and learn and grow from that, then it can be beneficial.’’