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White endured his share of growing pains in his second season, averaging 15.1 points and 4.8 assists per game while shooting 41.6% from the field and 35.9% from 3. After spending most of his rookie season coming off the bench, he picked up a lot of experience as a starter this year, beginning 54 of his 69 games in the lineup. His acclimation into the first unit was slow. But after an erratic start to the season, he showed signs of settling into the position near season’s end.
“From the moment we entered the bubble to now today, it’s been draining,” Lakers forward LeBron James said after his team was eliminated. “Mentally, physically, spiritually, emotionally draining. … Every team has to deal with it, obviously. But with us and Miami obviously going the long haul in the bubble and then coming right back on short notice to this season, it’s been very draining.”
Hoyer is in a new role, but he’s not exactly a fresh face. He was general manager for the last 10 seasons, earning partial credit for bringing the Cubs a championship but also some of the blame for failing to draft and develop pitching talent. He has been less visible than Epstein in his new role, though part of that can be attributed to the COVID-19 protocols that have prevented the media from accessing the playing field and talking with players, coaches and executives without the limitations of conference calls.
Fields is the sixth draft pick to sign his rookie contract with the Bears. Offensive lineman Larry Borom, cornerback Thomas Graham Jr., running back Khalil Herbert, wide receiver Dazz Newsome and defensive lineman Khyiris Tonga signed last week. Second-round pick Teven Jenkins is the only drafted rookie who has not yet signed.
Heading into Thursday’s off day, Cubs relievers have combined to throw 243 ⅓ innings this season, fourth-most in the majors. Even so, the bullpen’s 2.8 Wins Above Replacement (WAR) ranks third best in baseball. Ross rightfully trusts his relievers, especially when they are charged with maintaining a lead as the bridge from when the starter exits to the end of the game.
76ers forward Charles Barkley drives around the Lakers’ A.C. Green during the first quarter on Dec. 30, 1987, in Inglewood, Calif. For much of the 1991 season, Barkley wore No. 32 in honor of his friend Magic Johnson, who had been diagnosed with HIV. (BOB GALBRAITH / Associated Press)
“I enjoy it, just being asked to get as many outs as possible for the team, and being able to fulfill that role and do that job has been awesome,” Crochet said. “Whether it’s two innings, one inning, left-handed specialist if they need me to be, just filling whatever role has been a dream come true.
“Especially now, I think fans are happy to be out of the house and very happy to be at Wrigley and the team is playing well,” first baseman Anthony Rizzo said. “The fans are always top notch, but when we’re playing well, they jump behind us even more. And when we’re not, they’re still behind us. That’s the beauty of it. That’s why being a Cub is so great.”
“We weren’t sure going into that Detroit game how he was going to be able to hold up physically and mentally, and so I’d say the very first thing is that he aced that test,” coach Matt Nagy said Wednesday. “And we just kept giving him more and more and more. Now it’s our job to make sure that, as we go into this season, he gets a lot of opportunities.
“Obviously you feel terrible for someone when things happen like this,” Sox starter Lance Lynn said. “But as a team, you’ve got to do everything you can to make sure they’re good, keep them upbeat, keep them ready to roll and keep them pushing to get back. And then the guys that are active that day, it’s the next man up.”