Williams was a high-volume shooter in three Summer League games, and while the Bulls will have plenty of scoring once the regular season begins, “Passive Pat” is hopefully a name of the past.
Zach LaVine has rarely ever needed convincing to take a shot.
Same can be said for “Green Light’’ Coby White.
It’s just how the two Bulls guards are wired.
Then there’s the opposite side of the spectrum. The player that needs a nudge to be aggressive on the offensive end of the court. Or in the case of forward Patrick Williams, a forceful shove.
That’s really the main takeaway from the 2021 Summer League that took place in Las Vegas over the last week. That Williams seemingly started to truly understand his aggressiveness on the offensive side of the ball is the difference between the Bulls possibly hosting a low-seeded playoff team in the first round or being that low-seeded playoff team in the first round.
Message sent, message received.
At least for now.
“I think that just speaks to this team and how much they trust me,’’ Williams said of his expanding role this offseason. “They’re constantly telling me to shoot more still. I feel like it’s not in my personality to be super aggressive and to just do this. It’s not my personality, but that’s why I’m out here to kind of help mold that into my game, forever.’’
His time in Vegas was a great start.
In the three games he did play in before calling it a week and getting out healthy, the 2020 first-round pick — fourth overall — averaged 21 points and 9.7 rebounds per game. While his 38% from the field was obviously a head-scratcher, it was more important that he put up 58 shots in those three contests.
The efficiency was not the thumbprint he left on his rookie campaign, shooting 48.3% from the field, so call it a byproduct of Williams over-correcting in his shot volume department.
Going from 7.4 shots per game in 71 regular-season contests to 19.3 in Summer League? There’s definitely some growing pains to go through, especially for a player who is still only 19 years old for just over a week.
What mattered was he took shots, and he actually worked on taking them from spots on the floor where he can eventually compromise the opposing defense with his skillset — specifically getting some work in the post.
“That was a big thing I worked on this summer for sure,’’ Williams said. “Just my size, my strength, my athleticism, being able to get to my spot and also having a spot. A lot of guys that I modeled my game after and I watch a lot, they get to that spot and they’re able to play through that spot and make plays in that spot whether its scoring, passing, whatever. So just adding that to my game.’’
Great to hear from Williams, but it won’t mean anything if it’s talk with no action once fall camp starts in late September.
This isn’t the first time the Florida State product has preached about being more aggressive on the offensive end. The problem has been doing it, and not just for a game or two after Billy Donovan sat down with him in the film room or a vet got on him about it.
There’s no reason that in playing with Team USA on the Select Team, and then going into a shortened Summer League season, Williams should be inconsistent in that department. He’s built for 20-and-10, but stuck in gear at 9.2 and 4.6.
“I try not to listen too much to what other people say besides guys on my team and coaching staff, but for sure going back and watching film from last season, just picking my spots,’’ Williams said of a newfound aggressiveness. “Of course the regular season is not going to be like [Summer League] where the ball is in my hands all the time. We’ve got great guys on the team. So just being able to pick your spots.’’
And hopefully picking more.
from Chicago Sun-Times - All https://ift.tt/3yWK7zI
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