Patrick Williams' Mindset Shift Brings Bulls Back to Life
The Chicago Bulls' recent resurgence can be attributed, in part, to Patrick Williams' unorthodox approach to his game. The 6-foot-6 forward has shed the pressure of being an elite scorer and is now embracing a more balanced, next-play mentality.
While his minutes and scoring average have taken a hit, Williams' willingness to adapt has led to significant improvements in other areas. His plus/minus basketball has seen a welcome resurgence, with him playing on the plus side for the first time in his career. This newfound freedom has also translated into increased speed and efficiency on the court.
In Wednesday's thrilling 122-121 win over the Trail Blazers, Williams was instrumental in setting up Nikola Vucevic for the game-winning three at the horn. The Bulls' bench outscored Portland 60-20, with Williams making a notable impact off the bench.
However, what's truly remarkable about Williams is his mental approach to the game. Unlike in previous seasons, where he struggled with overthinking and self-doubt, he now takes a "next-play mentality" approach, focusing on executing each play without worrying about the outcome.
"I've never really been a guy that's really cared too much (about the outside noise)," Williams said. "I felt like I always held myself to a higher standard than anybody can ever hold me too... Now, if anything, that part has been what I've gotten better at."
Bulls coach Billy Donovan agrees, saying he wants Williams to be decisive and aggressive on the court while also accepting his limitations. "You always want to see a player improve but there's also got to be a place where you've got to accept who the player is," Donovan said.
As the Bulls continue their strong start, it will be interesting to see how Williams' mental approach to the game continues to evolve and impact the team's success. For now, his willingness to adapt and let go of external pressure has brought him to a new level of confidence – both on and off the court.
The Chicago Bulls' recent resurgence can be attributed, in part, to Patrick Williams' unorthodox approach to his game. The 6-foot-6 forward has shed the pressure of being an elite scorer and is now embracing a more balanced, next-play mentality.
While his minutes and scoring average have taken a hit, Williams' willingness to adapt has led to significant improvements in other areas. His plus/minus basketball has seen a welcome resurgence, with him playing on the plus side for the first time in his career. This newfound freedom has also translated into increased speed and efficiency on the court.
In Wednesday's thrilling 122-121 win over the Trail Blazers, Williams was instrumental in setting up Nikola Vucevic for the game-winning three at the horn. The Bulls' bench outscored Portland 60-20, with Williams making a notable impact off the bench.
However, what's truly remarkable about Williams is his mental approach to the game. Unlike in previous seasons, where he struggled with overthinking and self-doubt, he now takes a "next-play mentality" approach, focusing on executing each play without worrying about the outcome.
"I've never really been a guy that's really cared too much (about the outside noise)," Williams said. "I felt like I always held myself to a higher standard than anybody can ever hold me too... Now, if anything, that part has been what I've gotten better at."
Bulls coach Billy Donovan agrees, saying he wants Williams to be decisive and aggressive on the court while also accepting his limitations. "You always want to see a player improve but there's also got to be a place where you've got to accept who the player is," Donovan said.
As the Bulls continue their strong start, it will be interesting to see how Williams' mental approach to the game continues to evolve and impact the team's success. For now, his willingness to adapt and let go of external pressure has brought him to a new level of confidence – both on and off the court.
he used to be so uptight about scoring, but now he's just chillin' and playing his game 
like that's the best thing ever! his new mindset shift has brought him a sense of freedom on the court and it shows in his performance. he's still got skills, but now he's not worried about being a superstar scorer all the time 
that's actually kind of refreshing to see. plus, it's nice to see the coach acknowledging that sometimes you just gotta accept what the player is and let them do their thing. good on billy donovan for keeping it real 
. sounds like a bunch of hooey to me. i mean, patrick williams is a talented player and all, but let's not forget he's still gonna score 25 points a game or whatever 
. it's not like he's giving up on his elite scoring skills, he's just finding ways to be more efficient with them. plus, what's wrong with overthinking the game? maybe he's just really smart and sees things that others don't 
. and is billy donovan really saying that patrick should just accept who he is? doesn't that mean patrick will just plateau or something? 
just saw that there was another 5.4 magnitude earthquake in Japan yesterday 
meanwhile in the US, people are still dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Ian last month, it's like one natural disaster after another... and don't even get me started on climate change 
. He's all about that "next-play mentality" and it's got his game turnt up 
. I mean, he's not worried about what others think, he's just focused on the present moment. It's like he's on another level, you know? 
. The fact that his bench is outscoring Portland 60-20? That's just crazy! 
.
and I'm excited to see how it all plays out. The Bulls are on fire and Patrick Williams is the catalyst 
he's like totally transformed from last season he used to be so extra with scoring but now he's all about playing smart and letting his teammates do their thing 
it's super inspiring to see him go from being really high-strung to just chillin' on the court 
he's like, "meh, I'm just gonna play my game" 
i hope he keeps being this confident and continues to lead the team to victory 
It's amazing how much of a difference it makes when you're not worried about what others think. And to see him being more decisive and aggressive on the court... it's like a whole new player has emerged 
. Billy Donovan gets it right when he says Patrick needs to trust himself and play with confidence, no need to overthink it 
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. More people need to realize that we're all just pawns in their game of basketball... and life 
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. It's easy to get caught up in trying to live up to expectations and prove ourselves, especially when we're high-profile players like him. But if you look at the numbers and what he's been able to accomplish since making this change, it's clear that it's allowed him to focus on what really matters – executing each play and trusting his instincts.
. The idea of accepting our limitations and playing to our strengths is something that can be tough for players to grasp, especially when they've been taught to strive for greatness. But if Williams' newfound confidence and focus carry over to the team's success, it could have huge implications for the Bulls' chances this season 
his plus/minus has gotten way better and he's playing faster too! 
i think billy donovan is doing a great job of figuring out what williams needs to succeed he's not trying to change who patrick is, just help him be the best version of himself 
! He's not worried about scoring every game, just playing his best basketball and that's making him a way better player. And I love how Billy Donovan is supporting him in letting go of external pressure - its all about being present on the court and trusting yourself 
. And can we talk about how cool it is to see him thriving in this new role? He's still bringin' that same energy and skill to the court, but now he's free to be himself 
. And it's awesome that coach Billy Donovan is allowing him to be his player, you know, accepting his limitations 
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