Patrick Williams led the Bulls with 22 points and 17 shots in the Bulls’ preseason finale, and now the focus shifts to whether or not the third-year forward earned the starting spot when the regular season tips.
If Williams is playing alongside two current All-Stars and a former one in Vucevic who is playing lights out, he won’t be taking 17 shots. But the way he played against the Bucks---dive cuts, crashing the offensive boards, running lanes in transition---can translate.
“I don’t think any of my shots today were outside of the realm of things I can do when those guys are on the court,” Williams said.With LaVine and DeRozan resting, Williams dunked four of his nine field goals, including a particularly nasty left-handed jam. Four of his five rebounds came on the offensive end, reflective of how much time Williams spent in the restricted area. After one screen, he sealed his man off and rolled to receive a pass for a layup and another two paint points.
“I told him during the game, he got a lot of different things into the game,” Donovan said. “The aggressiveness part wasn’t always about him putting the ball on the floor or shooting jump shots. It was screen-and-rolls to the basket. It was quick post-ups and we found him. It was getting on the offensive glass. He got out in transition.
“I try not to think too much,” he said. “When I think a lot out there, it’s kind of when I don’t play too well or overthink the little things that come natural to us. Playing off instinct.”Donovan set the bar immediately the day before training camp opened. That’s when he said he wanted to see consistent aggression from Williams.
Donovan shook the preseason up by starting Javonte Green one game and in the second half of another in which he experimented with Derrick Jones Jr. Against the Bucks, Williams played like a player in a fight for a starting position.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Bulls' Patrick Williams, Nikola Vučević Lead Way in Preseason FinaleThe Bulls got contributions across the board in their preseason finale, a 127-104 win over the Milwaukee Bucks.
Read more »
Billy Donovan Names Ayo Dosunmu Bulls' Starting Point GuardBilly Donovan officially named Ayo Dosunmu the Bulls’ starting point guard to begin the 2022-23 season after the team’s preseason finale.
Read more »
Bulls' Andre Drummond Adding 3-Point Shot to Offensive RepertoireDon’t look now, but Andre Drummond might be adding another wrinkle to his offensive game in his first season with the Bulls.
Read more »
NZD/USD Price Analysis: Bulls eye 0.5580sAs per the prior day's analysis, the price has moved lower and we start the middle of the week on the back foot. The Kiwi is at a new cycle low ahead
Read more »
AUD/NZD Price Analysis: 200-EMA a key support for aussie bullsThe AUD/NZD pair has dropped below 1.1300 in Tokyo as strength in the downside bias has picked up. The cross is declining from the late New York sessi
Read more »
NZD/USD Price Analysis: Bulls need to keep their shape above 0.5550NZD/USD has been pressured in the second hour of the Tokyo equities session. It was a volatile start to the day and the US dollar has been whipsawed a
Read more »