Chicago Bulls rookie and current striker Patrick Williams showed the greatest respect for his new teammate, Nikola Vucevic, not long after the team acquired the limelight.
Yesterday set the NBA’s trading deadline and the Bulls made a giant splash to hopefully change their trajectory this season.
Among a multitude of movements by Arturas Karnisovas and co., The most striking was exchanging for NBA twice All-Star Nikola Vucevic. Vucevic, who was selected in the first round of the 2011 NBA Draft, began his career with the Philadelphia 76ers, where he wore shirt 8. He played for one year in “City of Brotherly Love” before an exchange sent Vucevic to the Orlando Magic in a big deal that also involved the former Magic Dwight Howard player going to the Los Angeles Lakers.
Vucevic wore # 9 from his first competition in Orlando to his last game. Now, he will use # 9 here in Chicago with the Bulls as well. Patrick Williams, the Bulls’ original No. 9 early in the 2020-21 season, decided to change his jersey number out of respect for the NBA’s two-star All-Star. Williams will now change his number to 44. Williams occupied fourth place in high school and college, but that number was withdrawn by the Chicago Bulls in honor of Jerry Sloan.
As much as it seems a tiny detail, the numbers of the shirts usually have deeper meanings for professional athletes. The practice of younger players, allowing veterans to have the first chance, happens quite often, but it is not always a guarantee. Patrick Williams felt it was the right thing to do, however, and Nikola Vucevic is probably grateful for the newbie’s thoughtful gesture.
