In an NBA season full of the unexpected, of course this rookie class is only adding to that.
A rookie class that had no mini-camps after draft day, no Summer League, no extended practice time with the vets.
It was get picked, get a plane ticket, get a place to live, and get after it.
And while it’s a class with many flaws, it’s also one that has made a bigger impact than expected in the early stages of this season. That includes Bulls rookie Patrick Williams, who was selected fourth overall, and ranks seventh in scoring (10.2 per game) amongst his fellow first-year players, as well as 11th in rebounding (3.8 per game).
According to Bulls coach Billy Donovan, Williams (hip contusion) was a full go at practice on Thursday, setting the stage for a Friday showdown in Charlotte between Williams and LaMelo Ball.
Whether the two will get matched up with each other is questionable, especially since Ball comes off the bench and Williams starts, but it doesn’t take away the hype of the No. 3 overall pick in Ball vs. the player selected one pick later.
“Yeah, I give a lot of kudos to all of them, especially the one that I’m seeing every day — Patrick Williams,’’ Bulls center Wendell Carter Jr. said when asked about the impact of this rookie class considering everything that’s worked against them. “[Williams is] playing phenomenal. Didn’t have any preparation coming into the league, and now he’s starting for the Chicago Bulls.
“I try to help him out with everything I know, especially me being a rookie two years ago. So I’m just trying to show him the ropes of the league, show him the ropes of Chicago, but I think he’s doing a really good job and he’s a very humble kid, so I’m definitely happy for him.’’
The entire organization is, as Williams has played beyond that of a 19-year-old, especially on the defensive end where he’s been cast into the role of stopper.
But as many good things as the Bulls have said about him, Donovan reminded everyone that he’s still a rookie with rook moments.
“Oh yeah, there’s been quite a few of them,’’ Donovan said with a chuckle in discussing Williams’ rookie moments. “I think even more so away from just the normal game experience, just everything for him. I mean, learning about injury reports and having to post injury reports. That was new to him. I know being in college for as long as I was in college, you know, you play twice a week and you have a two or three day ramp-up period in scouting. Now all of a sudden you show up one day and on the second night of a back-to-back you’re having a film session for 10 minutes and, like, he’s having to absorb all that information. It’s just totally different for him.’’
Not that Donovan expected it to play out differently.
The coach recalled his rookie season as coach for the Thunder, and admitted that on the team’s first road trip he had no idea where the airport was.
“I mean, there’s just a lot of firsts for him, and he’s learning,’’ Donovan said. “You know, ‘Why am I going into a cold tank? What does a cold tank do for me?’
“I think we’ve tried to as much as possible just assume that he needs to be educated on all these things. He’s a really, really bright kid and has a great disposition about himself, and he’s got a really good demeanor and he wants to learn.’’
NOTE: Carter is doubtful to play in Charlotte, but will make the trip and give it a go in warmups. The center suffered a thigh contusion after colliding with teammate Denzel Valentine in practice.
