Like his team, which is 2v-4d at the start of the season, Patrick Williams disappoints and his coach, Billy Donovan, stopped being patient, as he decided to bring him off the bench after five games. In his place, Torrey Craig now starts alongside DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine, Nikola Vucevic and Coby White.
However, the coach of Bulls wanted to point out that the 4th choice of the 2020 Draft remained in his plans, even on the bench.
“ We need him. Whatever his role, starter or substitute, he must help the team. He remains an important part of our team “, he indicated before tonight’s game (lost) against the Nets.
For the overly passive Patrick Williams, this rapid change of role does not seem to affect him much. At least, he doesn’t let it show.
“ I always play with the need to prove things “, he clarified. “ As soon as I get the chance, I attack. Obviously it motivates you. But it’s just basketball, so I can’t go with it [l’attitude inverse]. I just go out on the field and play my game. […] I’ve always said that whenever my name is called, I will always do whatever it takes for my team and just play my game. »
Step back to bounce back better?
Especially since Patrick Williams is obviously the first to be aware of the difficulties he has faced in attack since the start of the season: 27% shooting success and 13% 3-point success as a starter…
“ I was going through a period where I just really couldn’t put a basket “, conceded on this subject the 22-year-old winger. “ I wouldn’t say it’s difficult [de jouer avec les titulaires], because there is so much talent among them and they can do a lot of things on the pitch. It’s just another opportunity for anyone playing off the bench. »
What we can in any case see is that Patrick Williams had the best game of his season against Brooklyn: 10 points and 5 rebounds, 4/6 shooting (including 2/3 3-pointers) , with a differential of +10.
“ I thought he did a good job with his playing time », Analyzed Billy Donovan. “ It was good to see him play aggressive. He made two 3-pointers, he made good baseline penetration… I still think he can be more present on the rebound, but coming off the bench and given the way he behaved, he was very professional, super even. As I said before the match, he remains concerned about the team. »
Patrick Williams will have no other choice but to shine in the future, since we remember that he was not extended this fall by the leaders of Chicago. He will therefore have things to prove between now and next summer…
| Patrick Williams | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2020-21 | CHI | 71 | 28 | 48.3 | 39.1 | 72.8 | 0.9 | 3.7 | 4.6 | 1.4 | 1.8 | 0.9 | 1.4 | 0.7 | 9.2 |
| 2021-22 | CHI | 17 | 25 | 52.9 | 51.7 | 73.2 | 1.0 | 3.1 | 4.1 | 0.9 | 1.7 | 0.5 | 0.9 | 0.5 | 9.0 |
| 2022-23 | CHI | 82 | 28 | 46.4 | 41.5 | 85.7 | 1.0 | 3.0 | 4.0 | 1.2 | 1.8 | 0.9 | 1.2 | 0.9 | 10.2 |
| 2023-24 | CHI | 5 | 22 | 26.7 | 12.5 | 100.0 | 0.8 | 2.4 | 3.2 | 1.4 | 2.4 | 1.4 | 1.2 | 0.4 | 4.0 |
| Total | 175 | 28 | 47.2 | 40.4 | 78.0 | 0.9 | 3.3 | 4.2 | 1.3 | 1.8 | 0.9 | 1.3 | 0.7 | 9.5 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
