Selected fourth overall in the 2020 NBA draft, Patrick Williams is the driving force behind the Chicago Bulls’ sustained success. Surpassing 10 points per game for the first time in his young career, this year could slowly become a breakout season for the 21-year-old forward. Chicago has had a mediocre 2022-23′ campaign at best, and much of that has had to do with the lack of improvement from Williams, who has yet to take a leap on either side of the floor. In the past two games, ‘The Paw’ has put up impressive stat lines and played stellar defense against two of the best teams in the Eastern Conference, resulting in back-to-back wins for the Bulls.
A Rising Offensive Threat
Patrick Williams has averaged 20 points per contest in his last two games, the best of any stretch in his career. The secret to Williams’ success has been his newfound aggressiveness, shooting nearly ten shots per game over that span at over 60% in each. “If he don’t shoot it, he’s going to get cussed the —- out,” as DeMar DeRozan put it bluntly during a postgame interview in the locker room. While those shooting figures are not sustainable, they are promising for the future. While Williams may be a fourth or fifth option right now, the recent offensive shift of playing through Nikola Vucevic has made the former Florida State small forward a viable option to swing to on the perimeter or push the ball in transition.
“I thought he was great. I think he continues to get better, I think patrick’s eager to get better”.
Billy Donovan via @DarnellMayberry on Twitter
After beating Philadelphia last night, the Bulls move to 5-0 when Williams scores more than 15 points. Williams has been efficient when given opportunities by shooting over 40% from the field and from deep, including 90% from the free-throw line. After the Nets game, head coach Billy Donovan talked about how defenses are starting to focus on the former MVP candidate DeRozan, shifting the responsibility of keeping the opposition on their heels to the younger players. Williams has taken the increased role in stride and looked more confident during the process.
Becoming A Defensive Anchor
Patrick Williams stands at 6’7″ with a 7’0″ wingspan and was initially drafted for his defensive length and scrappiness. Unfortunately for Chicago, he’s yet to become a feared on-ball defender and has work to do still, but his last two matchups have shown that he’s well on his way to being the All-NBA caliber defender the Bulls hoped for when drafting him a few seasons ago. Drawing two former All-NBA First Team members, Kevin Durant and James Harden, would be dreadful for any player, let alone a 21-year-old only 48 hours removed from giving up the 8th most points in NBA history to Donovan Mitchell. Williams took the challenge and rose from the ashes, playing respectable defense against both and holding the latter to 4-for-17 from the field.
If Williams can continue to contain the league’s best scorers, contribute on the defensive boards, and force turnovers with his length and athleticism, he could be one of the next elite defenders in the NBA. In only his third season, he’s started in 118 of the 127 games he’s played in. Being the new regime’s first draft selection, many have directly associated the lack of improvement for the Bulls with the lack of progression from Williams. Hopefully, with the confident buzz and hype surrounding the Windy City, he can build on this hot stretch and never look back.
The Bulls have crept up to 9th in the Eastern Conference, quietly making a playoff push amid the never-ending trade rumors circling their stars DeRozan and Zach Lavine. Winners of seven of their last ten, and back-to-back 120-point offensive performances, they’ll look to continue the streak against familiar face Lauri Markkanen and the Utah Jazz, followed by the number one-seeded Boston Celtics. If Williams can stay aggressive and continue to be a playmaker on both ends of the floor, Chicago can steadily climb the standings and make a deep push in April.
