Patrick Williams said he watches videos of his matches against elite players 10 to 20 times to see what he can include in his game.
Hopefully, Williams picks up the part where his primary defensive assignment, Kawhi Leonard, mastered the art of the middle class.
The Bulls don’t need Williams to shoot 21 times like Leonard did in the Los Angeles Clippers’ methodical manipulation of the Bulls on Friday night at the United Center. But Leonard’s masterful 33-point performance in the Clippers 125-106 victory included 13-for-15 shots from 2-point range and was in stark contrast to Williams taking just five shots.
“I think that will be the evolution of him,” said coach Billy Donovan. “He needs to be able to stay engaged and put pressure on the defense. We tried to do something for him when he came out of the third quarter to get him aggressive on a drive. They guarded it well. He did try to drive. ball a few times He got a foul once when he went to the basket But I think he’s playing downhill, doing a little bit more, that’s what we need from him.
“Listen, there’s a lot coming his way. And he clearly had a tough match. ‘
Don’t read this as a criticism of Williams, who takes such assignments with focus and without complaint. Without the benefit of the summer league or even a normal training camp, Williams, the league’s youngest player, has already guarded Giannis Antetokounmpo, LeBron James and Leonard – the last two twice.
Welcome to the NBA, indeed.
But if Williams is to become the two-way elite he wants to be, he can’t settle for five shots and three points in 35 minutes, no matter how difficult the defensive assignment.
“Nothing is easy in this league. But when you work so hard on the defensive end, when it comes to the offensive end, that’s a bit of your time to rest. But the player I want to be and the person I want. to play in this league, I have to be able to do it on both sides, ”said Williams. “Like Kawhi, he’s very good on both sides. So just watch his movie, it’ll be better.”
Williams said the defensive game plan was responsible for a more aggressive Leonard since the Clippers played without Paul George. Still, like elite players, Leonard got into his spots too comfortably.
“That’s my fault,” Williams said.
This is always Williams’ first instinct: to look within. He also broadens questions about his individual game to team construction. These are all admirable traits and why even rough nights like Friday can be educational and educational.
“Thad (Young) in the beginning, when I first came here, told me, ‘Learn from the good days, but also learn from the days when you don’t do so well, where you really should sit and your next outing should be better, whether it’s practice or games, “said Williams.” Of course I didn’t do as well as I could have done. But not to make it about myself, I think we as a team have dropped the ball in some areas. And we just have to watch the movie and get better from it. “
The Bulls have planned an off day on Saturday. I bet it won’t all be a rest for Williams. The movie room at the Advocate Center could receive training.
“I want to be great in this competition. And I think my teammates and my coaching staff have the confidence that I will be really good or great in this competition,” said Williams. “I do it for me, but I also do it for them. Just to let them know that as much confidence as they have in me, I have so much confidence in myself. And that confidence comes from film, that confidence comes from work .
“I just want to be there for them. I think (Friday) that I wasn’t quite there for them, defensive or offensive. I didn’t keep my end of the bargain. I don’t want that to happen again. So I do. will do whatever it takes. ‘
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