NEWSLETTER
Patrick Williams looked the most dominant player on the floor Monday afternoon … until he didn’t.
Watching his near double-double in the first half felt like a satisfying four-course meal that included everything from scrumptious scoring to perfect passing. The second half, on the other hand, felt like immediately bordering the Tower of Terror at Disney World after devouring that delectable dinner. I’m going to be sick.
Here are your Patrick Williams first half highlights from the SummerBulls opener.
(Don't ask about the second half) pic.twitter.com/8nmdZ5I5W2
— Steph Noh (@StephNoh) August 9, 2021
Fortunately, it’s just Summer League! Williams has never been in this offensive-minded role, and if there is any time to suck it up and work out the kinks, that time is now. The whole point is to show progress and development in these meaningless (yet competitive!) games. There is no question Williams showed us just that in the first two quarters.
• Williams has made the most of his first real NBA offseason. Considering the film we have seen of him in the weight room and alongside veteran Thaddeus Young, I think we all got that vibe, but he told the Action Network’s that he has worked specifically with the Bulls staff to elevate his offensive game.
Patrick Williams says that he’s been working with Bulls staff “all summer.” They’re putting him through conditioning and offensive lead paces here in Vegas.
— Hardwood Paroxysm (@HPbasketball) August 9, 2021
• I’ll be honest, I’m a tad worried about how much of a role Williams can play on the offensive end this season. I want to see him get opportunities on that side of the ball, but the addition of DeMar DeRozan and a full season of Nikola Vuevic is going to make that hard. Maybe Billy Donovan will bleed him into the second unit more to feed him some more shot attempts? We’ll see.
• Williams brings up a really good point. While DeRozan has his shortcomings, he is actually one hell of a solid mentor for Williams on that side of the ball. Another versatile weapon who has built a career dominating in the midrange (shot 48 percent last season, which ranked in the league’s 87th percentile) and getting to the free-throw line, Williams could pick up some worthwhile tips and tricks from the veteran.
Asked specifically about DeMar DeRozan, whose acquisition has yet to be made official, Williams said: "We’re just adding more guys I can learn from and also of course he’s a really good wing in this league. Mostly, I want to be at the level that he’s at."
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) August 9, 2021
• Speaking of DeRozan, Bleacher Report’s Jake Fischer wrote a bit more about his journey to signing with the Bulls. He listed multiple teams who had an interest in making a run at the four-time All-Star at some point this summer, including the 76ers, Trail Blazers, Warriors, Celtics, and Knicks (we also know from previous reports that the Clippers and Lakers were involved). Of those teams, the Knicks were the only franchise to have the clear cap space to sign him. The other interested teams would have had to work out a complex sign-and-trade, which is likely why several dropped out of the running. Still, this does give us a somewhat better idea of the suitors DeRozan had and why Marc Eversley flew to LA to meet with his former Toronto pal. This does not remove the fact that the Bulls appeared to significantly overpay for DeRozan’s services, but it could kind of help explain why they went that route. The guy had contenders on his radar, and Chicago knew they had to pay a premium to pull him away.
• I’ve been on the Devon Dotson bandwagon since the Bulls snagged him after the 2020 NBA Draft, and a performance like yesterday is why. The speed is something we always knew was there, but it’s still hard not to be amazed when you watch him at work. I also thought he did a really solid job leading the offense and tirelessly attacking the paint. Not to mention, despite standing just six-foot-two, he was second on the team in rebounds with seven (Patrick Williams had the most with four).
https://twitter.com/windycitybulls/status/1424898383853113345?s=20
• For more thoughts on Game 1, check out the post below. Bulls will be back in action tonight against the Spurs at 7:00 p.m. CT on ESPN3.
Summer League Notes: Patrick Williams Shines (For a Half), Dotson Runs, Simonovic Plays Hard, Morehttps://t.co/lejZ6clj0j
— Bleacher Nation Bulls (@BN_Bulls) August 9, 2021
• Let the hype begin!
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• I mean no ill-will to either of these two, but it really feels like a new era can begin with both off the books. Zach LaVine and Coby White are positioned to be the ONLY GarPax carry-over on the roster next season.
The Chicago Bulls have renounced the free agent rights for Cristiano Felicio and Denzel Valentine.
— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) August 9, 2021
• Dennis Schroder turned down a four-year $84 million contract extension from the Lakers because he wanted to pursue a $100+ million deal this summer.
#Celtics have offered Dennis Schroder a one-year deal – at the taxpayer $5.9M MLE – per league sources. The current hold up for Schroder is twofold: He wants the full MLE – which is $9.5M – and also seeks a second-year player option. Boston doesn’t want to be hard-capped.
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) August 10, 2021
• My goodness.
Davion Mitchell. CLAMPS.
(via @NBATV)pic.twitter.com/iS5R1Wyae7
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) August 10, 2021
