After a slow start to the season for Patrick Williams, K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago thinks it’s time for Javonte Green to replace him in the Bulls‘ starting lineup.
According to Johnson, the switch would be less about the individual play of the two forwards and more about how they fit with the starters. Johnson notes that Williams’ deferential nature often means that he’s too passive playing along All-Stars Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan and Nikola Vucevic, and moving him to the bench might enable him to be more assertive.
Green, meanwhile, plays with consistent energy and competitive fire, even if he’s undersized at 6’4″. He started 45 games last season in place of the injured Williams, so he has familiarity with that unit.
Green will be an unrestricted free agent next summer and Williams will be eligible for a rookie scale extension, so the 2022/23 season is a big one for both players.
Here’s more from the Central:
- The Bulls had some glaring weaknesses exposed by Cleveland during Saturday’s blowout loss, according to Darnell Mayberry of The Athletic. As Mayberry writes, the defense, consistency and energy were all lacking, which was undoubtedly disappointing for fans in the home opener. The Bulls have also struggled with outside shooting in the early going, Mayberry notes, converting just 29.3% of their three-point attempts during their 1-2 start to the season.
- The Cavaliers‘ team-first approach was on full display in the 128-96 victory over the Bulls, writes Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com. Head coach J.B. Bickerstaff said he’s never been around a locker room that has embraced his “the strength of the team is the team” motto as much as his current group. “It’s the reality of it. Every night, we might not be the most talented team on the floor, but we can be the best team. We take that seriously,” Bickerstaff said. “It’s something that we try to grow every single day. It’s not something where the lights kick on and we fake it. Our guys genuinely care about each other on a level that I haven’t seen on a team before. It’s special what’s in that locker room.”
- Two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo continues to amaze teammates after scoring 44 points (on 17-of-21 shooting), pulling down 12 rebounds and dishing three assists in just 28 minutes of action during the Bucks‘ 125-105 victory over the Rockets, per Eric Nehm of The Athletic. “I mean, you’ve run out of words to describe a guy like that, right?” Brook Lopez said. “I can’t imagine you guys actually have to write. I don’t know how you guys don’t just send in the same article over and over with the same adjectives and everything like that. Because you need some ways to just describe how his game grows. It’s tough.”
I love Green. He never got much of a chance at playing time with the Celtics but he has serious hops and and attitude.
I can’t tell if this is a real picture or a screenshot from 2k
Patrick Williams can now be added to the 2020 NBA Draft bust list! The Bulls were convinced they had drafted a SuperStar. Coby White and Patrick Williams = wasted lottery picks.
Not willing to go there yet but if they could get a reliable PF in a trade before the deadline I’d take it. It’s the position that’s lacking the most right now. Trade Williams for a young PF and sign Derrick Favors for depth. Reinsdorf said he’d pay the tax and Favors would help even in limited minutes at his age. Maybe Williams is not really a PF like they thought he’d be. Still amazed they didn’t fortify that position in the off season.
The defense was seriously lacking against Cleveland but it was good against Miami and fair against Washington. So was it the fact it was a back to back or are the Cavs that good? The Bulls lacked energy in the Home opener so they should be ashamed and the 3 point shooting has been terrible. That should improve but it’s a tad early to be making the BTB excuse. If that was the case then they’re out of shape and that’s Donovan’s fault. Williams has no confidence when he plays with the starters for some reason and probably should come off the bench with Dragic and Drummond he seems to fit in better.
Williams is a SF that can slide in into the PF spot as a emergency but not as a Starter.
Package Williams and White for a PF and like someone wrote sign Favors and move forward.