Alex Caruso willed the Chicago Bulls to their first and only win in the young 2023 season. Friday night at the United Center was one to remember. Much of the home crowd had already made it to the parking lot as the Bulls trailed by 17 with under five minutes to play, soon to be their second straight embarrassing loss at home to open the year. DeMar DeRozan then took over the game, scoring 18 of the Bulls’ final 23 points to send the game to overtime miraculously. Although he missed three free throws with under 12 seconds to play, Chicago still survived to earn the extra period. In overtime, Alex Caruso made two of the most clutch plays of his career to secure their first win, while Patrick Williams was nowhere to be found.
The Bulls’ young forward played the third-fewest minutes on the team after being in the starting lineup for a second straight game. Only seeing 13 minutes of action, Williams recorded three points, three rebounds, one assist, and two turnovers. His plus/minus was also the second lowest on the team at a -7. He was benched for the entirety of the fourth quarter and overtime in favor of the veteran Caruso’s savviness and overall hustle, two things Williams has sorely lacked in his tenure with the Bulls. The young wing was unhappy with the decision, as his actions reflected during the most exciting moment for Chicago all season was happening with him on the sidelines.
It’s becoming increasingly difficult to justify Patrick Williams in the starting lineup or closing five. His lackluster effort and refusal to adjust his play style to fit the team’s needs is becoming apparent. Craig was signed this summer initially to come off the bench as a scrappy and lengthy defender to knock down perimeter shots and guard multiple positions, but that could change shortly. Billy Donovan is shortening Williams’ leash as time has passed, and the Raptors game was a perfect example that if he’s not suited to fill the role this team requires, he will be replaced.
Through three games, Craig is averaging one minute more per game than Williams, yet has tallied four more points and two more rebounds per contest. He’s also recorded more blocks, less turnovers, and less fouls. His shooting percentages are nearly 20% better from the field and 30% higher from three-point territory. Three games is too early for a conclusion, but out of the gate, Craig needs to be inserted into the starting role.
Whether it’s a mental hurdle, contract-related, or simply a lack of effort and discipline, Patrick Williams needs to find his stride this week. Failure to do so will result in losing his starting gig and his role being completely diminished to match the lackluster output he’s produced thus far. As a consistent contributor over three seasons, Williams said he’s striving to go from “good to great” this season, and through three games, he’s done the opposite.
From being benched in the preseason for lack of effort to being pulled in regular season action and withheld from crucial fourth-quarter and overtime minutes, Williams is creeping toward being out of the rotation entirely. The 22-year-old will have several more opportunities to right the ship, but Friday night’s antics indicated his priorities and selfishness regarding his playing time. Seeing a player react the way he did after their team secured their first win, having been down 20 at one point in the second half, was inexplicable and disturbing.
What do you make of Patrick Williams seemingly uninterested in the most significant moment for Chicago this season, and can he find his footing after a rocky start to 2023?
