Chicago Bulls: 3 Underrated X-factors to Watch in Showdown with Bucks

1.  Patrick Williams

Patrick Williams is the biggest x-factor in the Bulls-Bucks series. Outside shooting, defense, and limiting rebounds are all keys to the game every time the Bucks are on the floor. Williams is the one Bulls player who can do all three and do it well.

The Bucks were one of the first teams to roll out the “Bulls Blueprint” of baiting DeRozan and LaVine into traps on their drives. When this happens, the stars often throw out last-minute kick-outs that result in bad shots or turnovers.

Since being back in the lineup, Williams has been on the receiving end of those kick-outs. For some reason, he is hesitant to pull the trigger on the perimeter. This forces the Bulls to reset their offense and throw up an even more rushed shot – practically wasting the possession. Milwaukee is one of the league’s leaders in defensive rebounding. Teams don’t generally get more than one shot per possession against the Bucks.

Empty possessions will kill the Bulls in this series. Williams will have to be assertive if the Bulls want a shot at hanging with the Bucks. By being aggressive and decisive on those kick-outs, Williams will force the Bucks on their heels, putting them in the same scramble that the Bulls don’t fare well in. This situation will free up the stars, create wide-open kick-outs, and may even put Milwaukee’s bigs in foul trouble.

By just being an offensive threat, Williams gives Chicago a much better shot at competing against the Bucks in the first round.