Patrick Williams said he watches the film of his struggles against elite players 10 to 20 times to see what he can incorporate into his game.
Hopefully, Williams will continue to the part where his main defensive mission, Kawhi Leonard, dominates midsize art.
The Bulls don’t need Williams to fire 21 times, as Leonard did in the methodical handling of the Bulls by the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday night at the United Center. But Leonard’s masterful 33-point performance in the Clippers’ 125-106 victory featured 13 of 15 2-point shots and stood in stark contrast to Williams with just five shots.
“I think this will be his evolution,” said coach Billy Donovan. “He has to be able to stay involved and put pressure on the defense. We tried to do something to get him out of the third quarter to make him aggressive in a charge. They did a good defense job. He tried to direct the ball a few times. He he was missed once going to the basket. But I think he is playing downhill, doing a little more, that’s what we need him to do.
“Listen, there’s a lot going for him. And he obviously had a tough fight.”
Do not read this as a criticism of Williams, who accepts these assignments with focus and without complaint. Without the benefit of the summer league or even a regular training ground, Williams, the youngest player in the league, has already protected Giannis Antetokounmpo, LeBron James and Leonard – the last two twice.
Welcome to the NBA, in fact.
But for Williams to become the elite duo he aims to be, he cannot be content with five kicks and 3 points in 35 minutes, no matter how difficult the defensive mission.
“Nothing is easy in this league. But for sure, when you work so much on the defensive, when it comes to the offensive side, it’s kind of your time to rest. But the player I want to be and the person I want to be in this league , I have to be able to do that at both ends, “said Williams. “Like Kawhi, he is very good at both ends. So just watch the movie, get better with him.”
Williams said the defensive game plan was responsible for a more aggressive Leonard, as the Clippers played without Paul George. Even so, Leonard, as elite players do, arrived at his place very comfortably.
“This is on me,” said Williams.
This is always Williams’ first instinct – to look inside. It also expands the questions about your individual game for team building. All of these are admirable traits and because even difficult nights like Friday can be instructive and educational.
“Thad (Young) at the beginning, when I got here, he said to me: ‘Learn from the good days, but also learn from the days when you are not doing so well, when you really need to sit down and get better on the next tour, whether it’s practice or games’, “said Williams.” Of course I didn’t do as well as I could. But not to do that on me, as a team, I think we dropped the ball in some areas. And we just have to watch to the film and get better with it. “
The Bulls have a day off scheduled for Saturday. Here’s betting that it won’t be all rest for Williams. The Advocate Center movie theater may be getting tired.
“I want to be great in this league. And I think my teammates and my coaching staff are confident that I will be really good or great in this league,” said Williams. “I do it for myself, but I also do it for them. Just to let them know that as much as they have confidence in me, I have a lot of confidence in myself. And that confidence comes through the film, that confidence comes through working.
“I just want to be there for them. I think (Friday), I wasn’t completely there for them, defensively or offensively. I didn’t stick to my part of the deal. I don’t want that to happen again. So, I will. whatever it takes. “
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