Patrick Williams has played a total of 9 minutes, 35 seconds of the 41 minutes that have been played in the fourth quarters and one overtime session in the Chicago Bulls’ first three games.
For the time being, the fourth year forward may be the beginning. He’s not stopping, though.
Williams checked back in for 71 seconds of mop-up time in the Pistons game on Saturday, avoiding missing his second consecutive complete fourth quarter. He also skipped the full overtime session on Friday.
“Where I play, I play. Where and when I play are not decisions that I make. There are several people on our team who can play a variety of positions, according to Williams. “Torey Craig, AC (Alex Caruso), and I all play in different lineups at the four slot, and I believe that’s one of our strengths. I believe that anyone is out there, we can all play. And I believe that to be one of our advantages.”
When the Bulls travel to face the surging Indiana Pacers on Monday, just four games into the season, would Billy Donovan take advantage of that strength and alter the starting lineup? When asked about Williams’ starting position on Friday and Saturday, Donovan emphasised that the choice would be as much a reflection of the group’s influence as Williams’ early difficulties.
Williams is averaging 3.7 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1.7 steals in 21.7 minutes while shooting 27.8 percent, including 11.1 percent from 3-point range, after failing to score in 21 minutes on Saturday.
“I believe I’m where we all are at, attempting to establish a routine, figuring out what functions and what doesn’t, observing, watching videos on it, and gaining knowledge from it,” Williams remarked. “It goes without saying that after three games, we already know a lot.”
After Donovan moved Williams to the second unit and started Caruso in the starting lineup during the All-Star break, Williams and the Bulls had some success the previous season. Williams and Coby White, who is also beginning, clicked, and Williams played a more open and aggressive style overall.
In the 17 reserve games, he averaged 9.7 points in 24.9 minutes while shooting 50%, including 45.3 percent from 3-point range. This was just somewhat less than his starting average of 10.3 points per game in more minutes (29.2).
It wouldn’t be shocking to see a similar move to the bench, and Donovan acknowledged that he and his staff are keeping an eye on the changing starting lineup.
“This 22-year-old has a long way to go before he stops improving, and I’m not using that as an excuse.
Each person follows a different path, and I make an effort to respect that. However, we’re still working to coach him and provide him insight into how he can affect the game.
Williams and the Bulls were unable to agree on a rookie contract extension last week. The negotiations fell short of closing a large deficit, estimated by sources to be worth between $4.5 and $6 million yearly.
Williams maintained he would be able to put the basketball business behind him and concentrate on the season once that deadline passed without an agreement. He asserted on Saturday that he is succeeding.
“In total. Contracts are not on my mind at all. “I’m considering winning,” Williams remarked. “We’re obviously not shooting the ball very well, but we’re still confident enough to know what shots to take and take them.”
Williams’ career 3-point shooting percentage is 40.8 percent, therefore the team anticipates a turnaround from his dismal early 3-point shooting performance. Does it alter as a starter or reserve, is the query.
“He’s going to be alright. Everything is a learning experience,” DeMar DeRozan said. “I never stop talking to him—if he’s playing well, if he’s playing bad, if he’s struggling or thinking too much. I look at him like a little brother and I express to him how much a journey playing in the NBA really is. He gotta learn from it. He stays ready. He works his butt off. I know all the stuff he does behind the scenes that a lot of people don’t get a chance to see. Once it clicks for him, he’ll be fine.”