{"id":30252,"date":"2025-10-15T01:54:41","date_gmt":"2025-10-15T06:54:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/citystuff.com\/chicago\/2025\/10\/15\/with-lower-expectations-can-bulls-forward-patrick-williams-excel\/"},"modified":"2025-10-15T01:54:42","modified_gmt":"2025-10-15T06:54:42","slug":"with-lower-expectations-can-bulls-forward-patrick-williams-excel","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/citystuff.com\/chicago\/2025\/10\/15\/with-lower-expectations-can-bulls-forward-patrick-williams-excel\/","title":{"rendered":"With lower expectations, can Bulls forward Patrick Williams excel?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Introduction to Patrick Williams’ Role<\/h2>\n

It isn\u2019t often that a team gets excited about a No. 4 overall draft pick playing the role of seventh man to perfection entering his sixth NBA season, especially when he\u2019s in the second year of a five-year, $90 million contract extension. Yet, even in this role, it\u2019s important to remember that forward Patrick Williams has looked above-average in flashes since his rookie year in 2020, only to let the Bulls down. So, despite encouraging performances so far this preseason \u2014 including nine points and five assists Tuesday night in a 124-117 loss to the Nuggets \u2014 hit the brakes. Nearly everything with Williams is wait-and-see.<\/p>\n

Coach Billy Donovan’s Perspective<\/h2>\n

\u201cI see Patrick really being a part [of the rotation],\u201d coach Billy Donovan said. \u201cBut the other thing, too, is Patrick\u2019s minutes can change, like anyone\u2019s can change, based on who we\u2019re playing against and what the matchups look like, what the rotations look like, all that stuff. It will be pretty changeable throughout the course of the season, I think.\u201d In other words, just because the Bulls opened their checkbook to Williams doesn\u2019t mean there\u2019s a commitment to giving him heavy minutes \u2014 especially with second-year forward Matas Buzelis emerging in Williams\u2019 old starting spot and the addition of forward Isaac Okoro in a trade with the Cavaliers.<\/p>\n

Williams’ Preseason Performance<\/h2>\n

To his credit, Williams dropped weight over the summer to fit better in Donovan\u2019s up-tempo offense and has had a solid camp and preseason. In the opener in Cleveland, he wasn\u2019t even included in the 10-man rotation but still came off the bench to score 11 points in 16-plus minutes. In a rematch two nights later, he finished with eight points in 21-plus minutes and was a plus-8 in plus\/minus. Sunday\u2019s game against the Bucks was his best: 10 points, eight rebounds and five assists in 23-plus minutes to finish at plus-7. Even in Tuesday night\u2019s loss in Denver, he was a plus-1.<\/p>\n

The Key to Success: Consistency<\/h2>\n

\u201cWhat we\u2019re basically talking about is consistency,\u201d Donovan said. \u201cAs a coach, when you\u2019re working with these guys, certainly you want to help them with their skill set, but the skill set is purely based on making split-second decisions and reads on what\u2019s going on in the game. There are things [Williams] can control, in my opinion, on every possession. He can get to the glass, he can get out in transition \u2014 he can do that. The other parts, when you have a young team, there\u2019s going to be these ups and downs, these waves of development from these guys.\u201d \u201cI\u2019ve seen some growth from Patrick. The thing you want to do is try and stack games together. I\u2019ve always said that the best players in this league, if you take 10-game increments, there\u2019s like one game out of 10 that they don\u2019t play well. As it relates to Patrick, his minutes and stuff like that, a lot of it will be how consistent he\u2019s playing. If it\u2019s not going well \u2014 for anybody \u2014 we may have to go with someone else.\u201d<\/p>\n

Williams’ Self-Assessment<\/h2>\n

Williams hears the message. \u201cThis league is filled with so many good players, and the one thing that separates the great ones from the good ones is consistency,\u201d he said. \u201cFor me, and I hate to beat a dead horse, but staying on the court [healthy] has been a big [factor]. I\u2019m feeling confident about my body.\u201d His play last season wasn\u2019t what he wanted it to be, he said, \u201cbut you live with it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n

With lower expectations and a focus on consistency, Patrick Williams may finally excel in his role with the Bulls. His preseason performance has shown promise, and both he and Coach Billy Donovan are aware of the importance of consistent play. As the season progresses, it will be interesting to see how Williams contributes to the team and whether he can meet the expectations that come with his contract.<\/p>\n

FAQs<\/h2>\n