The State of Patrick Williams’ NBA Career

Introduction to the Issue

OKLAHOMA CITY — Bulls forward Patrick Williams didn’t run from the question. At this point, there’s really nowhere left for him to run. He lost his starting job to rookie Matas Buzelis earlier in the season and lately has been losing out to Dalen Terry in terms of closing games. The bigger concern from the outside looking in, however, is that Williams has appeared passionless in his struggles.

Background and Expectations

This isn’t what the Bulls expected in his fifth season after selecting him No. 4 overall in the 2020 draft, and it’s definitely not what they anticipated when they signed him to a five-year, $90 million extension last summer. So that’s why it had to be asked: Are you even having fun playing?

Williams’ Perspective

‘‘When we’re winning, I’m having fun, regardless of how I’m playing,’’ Williams told the Sun-Times on Monday. ‘‘I come from a culture, obviously, at [Florida State] where winning was the top priority. When you win, everybody gets taken care of. You hold the trophy up, everybody gets to hold it up. But, for sure, as one of the young staples of this group, there’s a lot that comes with that off the court, being professional that way, but also on the court, holding yourself to that standard. The team holds me to that standard; I hold myself to that standard. And when I’m not playing at that standard, you shouldn’t be happy.

The Path to Improvement

But how does he make that change? After the Bulls’ one-point loss Saturday to the Mavericks — a game in which Williams played 18 scoreless minutes, grabbed only two rebounds and was a minus-19 — even Bulls coach Billy Donovan thought it was time for a heart-to-heart. ‘‘We spent some time talking [Sunday] because I felt the game against Dallas, he just seemed out of sorts to me,’’ Donovan said. ‘‘He even said, ‘I’ve just got to be better. I just do.’ I give him credit, he came in the next morning. He was working, trying to get better. He wants to be a very good player, wants to perform.’

Donovan’s Insights

Donovan was asked whether Williams even knows how to be a better player. ‘‘I think he does,’’ he responded. ‘‘The biggest challenge for him, in my opinion, is going to be his decision-making. I think he would be the first to say that the way he played is not who he wants to be. He’s just trying to go back to work. I don’t necessarily have a great answer on where he is mentally or what’s going through his head in the course of a game. I do think that one of the things that he’s struggled and battles with is where he’s the harshest critic on himself on the court. He’s done a good job of late. I think his rookie year it was a major problem.’

Overcoming Setbacks

The frustrating part for Williams is that when he does finally start to feel as though he’s in a rhythm and playing aggressively, like he was doing in November, an injury derails him. That has happened the last two seasons. At the same time, this is the NBA. Setbacks and injuries happen, and he has to get over it. ‘‘Find a rhythm, find something, and then get hurt. Find a rhythm, find something, and then get hurt,’’ Williams said. ‘‘So, for me, staying on the court is the most important thing. . . . Trying to get back to that.’’

Conclusion

He needs to get back to something because the Bulls’ patience with him has run out on many fronts. He can’t run from that. The journey ahead for Patrick Williams is about regaining his form, finding joy in the game again, and meeting the expectations that come with his role and contract. It’s a challenge he must face head-on if he hopes to turn his season and career around.

FAQs

• Q: What has been the main issue with Patrick Williams’ performance?
  A: The main issue has been his apparent lack of passion and inconsistent performance on the court, which has led to him losing his starting job and struggling to find a rhythm.
• Q: What does Williams attribute his fun in the game to?
  A: Williams attributes having fun in the game to when the team is winning, regardless of his personal performance.
• Q: What is the biggest challenge for Williams according to Coach Donovan?
  A: The biggest challenge for Williams is his decision-making on the court.
• Q: How does Williams plan to overcome his current struggles?
  A: Williams plans to overcome his struggles by focusing on staying on the court and finding a rhythm, which has been disrupted by injuries in the past two seasons.