On the evening of Feb. 6, the Chicago Bulls and first-year head coach Billy Donovan will get to take on the Orlando Magic for the second leg of back-to-back games this weekend. On Feb. 5, the Bulls were downed by head coach Steve Clifford’s banged up Magic team, but they will likely come out firing again on Feb. 6.
What Donovan and the Bulls did get to see on Feb. 5 was a potential breakthrough game for the former Florida State Seminole and rookie forward Patrick Williams. As the leading scorer for most of the game (especially in the first half) for the Bulls in their Feb. 5 loss to the Magic on the road, Williams became a true force to be reckoned with on both ends of the floor.
In spurts so far this season, Williams showed what he can do as a two-way forward. But the lack of consistent production is a result of his young age, development in a new system, and just the need for the coaching staff and fan base to take a patient approach with his game.
The potential of Williams’ game is shining through in bits and pieces, though. In the loss to the Magic on Feb. 5, Williams registered his best game score of his rookie campaign thus far (at 19.7). He posted 20 points, seven rebounds, one assist, two steals, one block, and just one turnover. And Williams shot an efficient 7-of-11 from the field and a perfect 6-of-6 from the charity stripe.
The play of Williams of late is also something that one of his teammates is really noticing. Bulls star shooting guard Zach LaVine recently reportedly (per NBC Sports Chicago) commented on the play and promising skill of Williams he’s witnessed of late.
What Chicago Bulls SG had to say on Pat Williams
Here’s more on what LaVine had to say on the matter of Williams’ “monster” potential.
"“When he plays like that I don’t think he understands his strength and his physicality,” LaVine said. “At 19, it’s ridiculous. He’s a monster, he’s going to be a monster.”"
It is also significant to note the comment that LaVine had on Williams’ age. Now that the Oklahoma City Thunder rookie big man Aleksej Pokusevski was sent down to the G-League, Williams is now the youngest player on an active NBA roster as of the early afternoon of Feb. 6.
LaVine is having a big season of his own, looking for his first career All-Star nod as he continues to improve on both ends of the floor. He’s also getting more respect from around the NBA landscape as the Bulls try to find more success in the win column.
So far this season, Williams has played in 20 games for the Bulls (starting in all of them), averaging around 26 minutes on the floor per game. And he’s averaged 10.2 points per game, 4.0 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 0.8 steals, and 0.6 blocks. Williams shot an efficient 47.5 percent from the field, 37.0 percent from beyond the arc, and 80.5 percent from the free-throw line.
Williams, LaVine, and the Bulls are set to take on the Magic on the road in the back end of these back-to-back games on Feb. 6, with tip off time set for 6 p.m. CT. The Bulls carry a record of 8-13 into that game, looking to snap their losing skid they’ve built up of late.