Corey Benjamin’s answer to whether he ever dreams of his offensive skills being employed in a different system took just three words.
“All the time,” Benjamin said.
Still, that total represents three more than the number of minutes he played Saturday night against Denver, and its cumulative effect speaks volumes about his uncertain future.
The former first-round draft pick, trying to enter his third season with the Bulls, has averaged eight minutes through the first three exhibition games and didn’t play against Denver. That total is less than the 14.6 minutes averaged by Toby Bailey, who shares the same height (6 feet 6 inches) but, more important, the same position, guard.
Management insists–just two weeks into training camp and with only 16 players signed and healthy–that it’s in no hurry to make personnel decisions. And Bailey’s advantage in minutes certainly could be a result of familiarity with what Benjamin can–and can’t–do in the Bulls’ triangle offense.
Glimpses have shown that Benjamin offers more of the former than the latter. A natural and often spectacular scorer at Oregon State, Benjamin reached double figures in 21 of the 48 games he played last season. He led the Bulls in scoring four times, including a career-high 21 points at Minnesota on Dec. 30.
Still, the question exists whether Benjamin can thrive in such an equal-opportunity offense.
“In some areas, I believe [the triangle] is limiting. In some areas, it shows what I can do,” Benjamin said. “But when I go on the floor, I have no control over the system. The only thing I can do is go out there every day and show coach I’m going hard.
“Sure, it’s frustrating when you don’t play, but there’s nothing I can do about it. I’m trying to look at everything as a positive rather than a negative. I’m just waiting for my turn to be called.”
In that regard, both Bailey and Benjamin are taking the same approach. Bailey, signed as a free agent on Oct. 2, turned down a guaranteed contract to come to the Bulls’ camp. He is averaging 5.3 points on 46 percent shooting in his limited minutes and grades his overall performance as a “C-plus.”
“I’m working with what they give me,” Bailey said. “[Saturday], I got 11 minutes, and there’s only so much you can do with 11 minutes. I’m trying to run the offense and play hard defense.
“I think they’re looking for someone who can play 10 to 15 minutes a game. I know I’m not going to come in here, especially with Ron [Mercer] and Fred [Hoiberg], and play 30 minutes a game. If one of them, God forbid, gets hurt, hopefully they know I can play 30 minutes and give them maybe 15 to 20 points. Right now, they don’t need me to do that. So I try to contribute in other ways.”
Eventually, draft picks Jake Voskuhl and Dalibor Bagaric are expected to be signed, which would bring the roster total to 18 players. Fifteen, counting the injured list, will survive.
The numbers game exists.
“My first two years in the league, I didn’t really realize how much of a business it is,” Bailey said. “But I know now. And I know not everybody is going to be here in a couple of weeks.”
Layups: Jamal Crawford practiced and said the left ankle he twisted at practice Friday shouldn’t keep him out of Tuesday’s exhibition game against Washington. . . . Floyd called off the scheduled second practice on Sunday. But it wasn’t a birthday present for Hoiberg, who turned 28. “It was for me,” Floyd said, joking. “I’m tired.” . . . Center Brad Miller’s early take on Dragan Tarlac? “He’s got bony elbows,” said Miller, who took one to the head during practice.
