The Chicago Bulls are off to a much better start through five games than many would have guessed, and tonight marked their fourth win, including their first win in the United Center. Standing at 3-2, they snap a 729-day streak of being beneath the .500 mark. The last two nights have resulted in 20-point comeback wins, something the franchise has not accomplished in consecutive games in over 22 years. Patrick Williams, arguably the most disappointing Chicago Bull over the last five years, held a heavy hand in pushing the Bulls to their first winning record in nearly two calendar years. Watch his biggest bucket as a Chicago Bull.
Continued Mediocrity From The Paw
Playing in his first year of a new contract extension, Williams has displayed more of the same lackluster play as the first four seasons of his professional career. If he wasn’t drafted fourth overall and partially tasked with turning the franchise’s future around, the animosity from the fanbase might not be as intense. There’s an argument to be made that he’s declined this season, shooting under 30% from three-point land and the field overall while averaging under ten points a game. Tonight’s three-point catch-and-shoot dagger to seal Chicago’s win might have given him some grace for the poor start this season.
Many Bulls fans were skeptical of the contract extension from the start. Having never displayed the skill set of a top-five pick, especially when drafted around players like Tyrese Maxey, Tyrese Haliburton, and Anthony Edwards, Williams never won over the fanbase. His points per game haven’t risen by even one point since his rookie campaign, and his field goal percentage has dropped. While he’s proven to be a versatile defender and can shoot the deep ball sometimes, the failure to sustain success or a consistent winning impact is frustrating to watch.
Billy Donovan’s Experimental Lineups
Through five games, Billy Donovan has not found a clear minutes rotation for his current group. In his defense, he lost two starters from a season ago, his leading point-per-game scorer and best defender, and has added several new pieces to integrate with the existing core. Through the first four games, 14 players had seen the floor, nine of which averaged over 13 minutes of playing time. Lonzo Ball is physically unable to play in back-to-back games, to throw another wrench in Donovan’s schemes. One thing he did clarify today, for those who have complained about the lack of playing time for electric rookie Matas Buzelis, is that the youngster needs to earn his spot on the court.
Much of the early stages of this season will be spent testing different compatibilities and groupings of all of the weapons at the head coach’s disposal. Zach LaVine and Coby White’s off-ball scoring prowess has increased the need for a ball-handling facilitator like Ball or Josh Giddey. The ability to run in transition and attempt more three-point field goals has earned several players a spot in the rotation.
Where will the dust settle with Chicago’s best rotation, and how involved is Buzelis in the winning formula?
