Patrick Williams hype train already leaving station for Chicago bulls

When the Chicago Bulls draft Patrick Williams of Florida State with the No. 4 pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, many were wondering who this one was. As a mountain player who only scored 9.2 points and 4.0 back in his single season with the Seminoles, it was incomprehensible.

After just three preseason games, Bulls fans are already getting to know the rookie well.

Now, obviously, every preseason caveat has to apply. There have been endless issues of players looking good in preseason before they light up when games are important. Things change once scouting reports are out there and the competitions ramp up.

However, it’s hard not to be caught by what Williams has revealed so far to start his NBA career, especially as the second youngest player in this class draft.

Williams I did some nice things in the first two preseason games at the Bulls, but the hype train officially left the station after Billy Donovan decided to put the 19-year-old into the starting line over Otto Porter Jr. against Oklahoma City Thunder Wednesday night.

The rookie rewarded Donovan’s confidence with 13 points on a 6-of-9 shooting to join seven rebounds and two blocks in 27 minutes of 124-103 victory. Williams also downgraded the single 3-pointer he took, and it was a beauty:

Williams ’defensive flexibility, IQ and enthusiasm on that end of the floor entering the NBA has been much talked about, and has been on display in preseason. But it was his offensive outsiders – largely non-stop at Florida State – that helped his stock skyrocket lead up to the draft, and eventually led to the No. 4 pick. just one example so far of launching and draining this 3-step step back with confidence.

Later in the third quarter, Williams showed more off-the-dribble juice with this pull-up jumper:

That’s a long-term move for the youngster.

Williams averages 12.7 points on 50.0% overall shooting and 50.0% shooting on 3-pointers in the preseason, which stands out nicely among the rookie class. He has struck beats at all three levels and in a number of ways, and has performed a few plays without the ball in his hands, whether cutting or hitting the glass:

Of course, Williams has gotten some of his growing pains as well. He has turned the ball 10 times although he is not recording a single assist. It is at 55.6% off the free throw line. Defensively, it has suffered a few pump fares.

But the overall level of comfort and confidence Williams displays as a rookie has been astounding. Some of the sloppiness is no surprise, but in general he seems to know what he’s doing and seems to belong.

This makes things interesting for Donovan, who wouldn’t refuse to stick with Williams over Porter in the starting lineup moving forward. Williams would have less of an offensive role to play with the starters, so he could focus on defensive and busy plays while delivering the scoring punch from time to time. time as he gets used to the NBA game. At the same time, Porter coming off the bench would give the Bulls a more convincing offensive threat to help carry the second unit. This was especially evident Wednesday with Tomas Satoransky at his side.

There is certainly plenty to consider for Donovan as the start of the regular season approaches, and the front office will keep an eye on how things play out. Looking at the forward spots outside Williams and Porter, Lauri Markkanen struggles with his chase and Thaddeus Young has yet to play due to the tenure of his leg. Chandler Hutchison is another young player who could earn minutes at levels 3 and 4.

Williams would quickly appeal to the NBA and make noise affecting rotations and could soon trigger a roster move. Young in particular might find it more affordable, but Porter should be a trade candidate because he could help any competitor, even if his contract that $ 28,489,239 expiration makes matters a little more difficult. Markkanen should also not be safe, even when it comes to fixing a potential extension.

That’s down the road, though, and we shouldn’t be too far ahead of ourselves yet. It’s still just preseason, and Williams needs to prove he can play when the games really start. People should definitely pump the brakes on any Kawhi Leonard comparisons.

The real hyperbole to one side, Patrick Williams ’development is going to be fun to watch this season, and his ability as a two-way player attracts the Bulls as they try to escape. From the headland they have been in for some time now.