Two minutes and 45 seconds. That’s how long it took Billy Donovan to make his first change against the Raptors. Patrick Williams was invited to join the bench. For what ? Because the strong winger had simply not entered his match.
“He had opportunities to go for the offensive rebound,” notes the coach for NBC Sports. “We talked about it. It’s not about missing a shot or being aggressive on offense. Physically, he can do things. On one of the first possessions, he had the opportunity to set a very good screen and he ran away. We cannot escape the physical challenge. We’re going to have to look into that. »
Awakened by this premature exit, the Chicago player will be more present in the second half. He went for an offensive rebound after missing a shot for example, and finished with 10 points at 4/13 on the shoot.
“He was sharper in the last quarter, attacking the circle,” rejoices Billy Donovan. “He took the shots he needed to take. It’s good. I hope he learns from this. He has shown that he can do it, he must now do it over time. He needs to force himself and be more aggressive in certain areas. »
The presence of Torrey Craig beneficial for Patrick Williams?
That’s the whole problem with Patrick Williams, and it’s been that way since the start of his career. He has certainly been slowed down by injuries, but he remains a player who is too often passive in attack and who does not rebound enough. While he has the physical qualities to do much better.
As he reaches the end of his contract, it is the time to finally exploit his potential. “Maybe I thought too much at first, but I’m working on it. We’re still in preseason and that’s what it’s for, to find the rhythm.”he reacted.
Perhaps Torrey Craig, who arrives in Chicago to bring character to this team, can unlock something in the fourth choice of the 2020 Draft?
“I stay close to him, I make sure it’s positive, but I show firmness when necessary,” explains the former Suns. “I think he reacted well when he came back into the game. In the last quarter, he was aggressive. »
| Patrick Williams | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2020-21 | CHI | 71 | 28 | 48.3 | 39.1 | 72.8 | 0.9 | 3.7 | 4.6 | 1.4 | 1.8 | 0.9 | 1.4 | 0.7 | 9.2 |
| 2021-22 | CHI | 17 | 25 | 52.9 | 51.7 | 73.2 | 1.0 | 3.1 | 4.1 | 0.9 | 1.7 | 0.5 | 0.9 | 0.5 | 9.0 |
| 2022-23 | CHI | 82 | 28 | 46.4 | 41.5 | 85.7 | 1.0 | 3.0 | 4.0 | 1.2 | 1.8 | 0.9 | 1.2 | 0.9 | 10.2 |
| Total | 170 | 28 | 47.7 | 41.4 | 77.9 | 1.0 | 3.3 | 4.3 | 1.3 | 1.8 | 0.9 | 1.3 | 0.7 | 9.7 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
