Chicago Bulls: 3 drastically underrated players ready to breakout

Drastically underrated Chicago Bulls players ready to breakout: Patrick Williams

It feels like there are a lot of areas of Patrick Williams‘ game that are misunderstood following his rookie campaign. While it is true that the second-year former Florida State Seminoles forward and reigning All-Rookie Second-Team selection lacked confidence at times on offense, he definitely did not lack that on defense.

Williams defended some of the best wings/forwards in the NBA last season for a Bulls team that often struggled in that area prior to Karnisovas drafting him last offseason. He is a very good on-ball defender that will be asked to do a lot to help make up for lacing defensive presence at times next season from the likes of star shooting guard Zach LaVine and shooting guard/forward DeMar DeRozan.

Last season, when Williams was defending a three-point shooter, that player shot roughly 3.5 percent less from beyond the arc than his team’s average against the Bulls.

Here is a list of players that Williams drew at least two turnovers from as an on-ball defender last season: Devin Booker, Zion Williamson, Jerami Grant, Kevin Durant, LeBron James, Donovan Mitchell, Jrue Holiday, Luka Doncic, and Domantas Sabonis.

And even more impressive was the fact that Williams wasn’t matched up on any of those players on defense for any longer than 14 total minutes last season.

What Williams also doesn’t get enough credit for is his catch-and-shoot ability. On open catch-and-shoot attempts from beyond the arc last season, Williams shot better than 42 percent.

Williams’ skill set is a great fit for what Donovan and the Bulls need at one of the forward positions in the starting five next season. Just in general, Williams is a good fit for Donovan’s offensive scheme to help spread the floor and make plays as a cutter to get open near the rim. Movement off-ball is something we should see improve with Williams on offense next season too.