Of course Billy Donovan plans to give his prized rookie important minutes come Friday.
The new head coach made that very evident when discussing the general plans for the exhibition opener against Houston, and the role his 19-year-old forward will play in it.
Come the regular season in a just few weeks, however?
Well, welcome to the education of Patrick Williams, where everything is a crash course, and minutes given will be minutes earned.
“I think it’s such a unique situation for rookies today, because generally there’s a mini-camp in the summer, there’s Summer League where they can get accustomed,’’ Donovan said, when discussing the strain that Williams and this rookie class have on it. “I mean we’re still at a point right now where Patrick is trying to figure out his routine. There’s a lot being thrown at him. He’s playing with new teammates, new coaching staff, new style, the NBA game, there’s so much he’s got to learn.’’
Think of it this way, with the coronavirus completely changing the timeline that the NBA usually operates on, Williams has gone from being drafted last month fourth overall to being dropped into an NBA training camp within a few weeks.
His only experience with NBA-caliber talent? Pickup games in the pre-draft camp process and now two days of full intrasquad scrimmages.
The Rockets come to town for two preseason games over the weekend.
Go get ‘em, Rook!
“It’s definitely been quicker, it’s definitely been more physical,’’ Williams said in a Zoom call on Monday, when discussing the difference between the college game and the NBA. “It’s been slowing down since the days have gone on. We don’t have a lot of time so I’ve been getting as many reps as I can, watching film after practice, things like that to slow it down even more because like I said we don’t have that much time.’’
That’s why Donovan plans to get the most out of these four preseason games as far as Williams was concerned.
What the Florida State product can handle will go a long way in what he sees minutes-wise when the games count.
“But I wouldn’t take it as maybe holding back his minutes to help him get accustomed,’’ Donovan said. “He’s done a really good job of I think physically handling everything that has come at him, and he’s very bright, he’s a smart guy, and he’s picked things up really, really well. The one thing for him that he’s mentioned to me, and it’s the case with most college guys, just the pace and the speed of the game. Even coming from college as a coach, that was the one thing that stood out for me, just the speed and the pace of the game and how much different it is.
“So there’s a learning curve for him, but I think he’ll be more than capable of handling that.’’
One shortcut to playing time the rookie might want to take? Rely on the defensive ability that attracted the Bulls to him, and let the rest of his game eventually catch up. Call it the Jimmy Butler path.
After all, the Bulls let two of their better defenders in Kris Dunn and Shaquille Harrison walk into free agency just a few weeks ago, so stoppers are not only welcomed, but needed.
“Offense is going to have its days,’’ Williams said. “As a team, we’ve got to be able to defend. Defense wins games, as they say. We got to hang our hat on defense. But me, for sure I think I contribute that to the team.’’
