LOS ANGELES — A blind résumé comparability doesn’t do Patrick Williams any favors lately. But with simply 16 video games remaining after the Bulls misplaced 142-130 the Lakers on Thursday, what the heck:
• Player A: In his final 4 video games with significant minutes, he has averaged 12 factors and 7 rebounds, together with a 17-point, 11-rebound efficiency Tuesday in opposition to Golden State.
• Player B: In his final 4 video games, he has averaged eight factors and 1.3 rebounds, and the final time he put up something near a 17-11 displaying was Game 4 in opposition to the Bucks in the 2022 playoffs during which he scored 20 factors and grabbed 10 rebounds.
That’s why it’s not loopy to marvel if little-known Leonard Miller (Player A) is a greater choice than Williams shifting ahead for not solely the remainder of this season but additionally past.
“Lenny is a monster,” teammate Matas Buzelis stated after the Bulls’ additional time victory in opposition to the Warriors.
Miller, a 6-10 ahead, was a pressure in that recreation, and 6 of his 11 of his rebounds had been offensive. Williams’ tenacity on the offensive glass is one in every of the ongoing criticisms of him in Year 6 since the Bulls drafted him fourth total in 2020. Too many torpid video games, not sufficient urgency.
There’s a good larger indictment in evaluating the gamers. Since becoming a member of the Bulls (together with Rob Dillingham and second-round picks) in the commerce with the Timberwolves for Ayo Dosunmu and Julian Phillips, Miller has posted a team-high plus-7.5 per recreation in plus/minus in 10 video games. Meanwhile, Williams is close to the backside of the crew with a minus-4.8 per recreation.
An unfair pattern measurement? Maybe, however the incontrovertible fact that the Bulls misplaced seven of the 10 video games Miller performed, and but he nonetheless has produced successful basketball every time he’s on the flooring speaks volumes.
“With Minnesota I wasn’t playing so I kind of got used to it, but with me being used to it I’m still ready, I’m still locked in,” Miller stated. “I’m always ready to go out there and compete at a high level. I think I demonstrated that and that’s what I’m going to continue to demonstrate. Me playing at a high level and having a good game, I’m kind of not surprised because I have that belief in myself, I’m confident, and I feel like the sky is the limit with me.”
Will the Bulls agree?
After Miller performed strong minutes in opposition to the Suns final Thursday, he solely obtained a minute of mop-up time in the subsequent recreation in opposition to the Kings. Williams returned from an damage and performed 17 minutes in that loss. But Williams tweaked his ankle, and that’s why Miller obtained the begin in opposition to the Warriors.
And he made it rely.
“He’s very active on the glass, he’s a good runner in transition, he’s a very active body as far as cutting and moving,” coach Billy Donovan stated. “I just like his activity and his motor. There’s certain things he’s inexperienced at that will come in time, but overall, his activity, he can just get a lot of things into the game.”
Williams was out in opposition to the Lakers, however what is going to Donovan do when he has each forwards wholesome once more? That’s the query.
It didn’t sound like Miller was involved.
“It’s all about staying ready, it’s all about staying locked in,” Miller stated. “I pay attention to the game plan. My focus is coming in and making winning plays and that’s all I care about.”
One extra blind comparability:
• Player A: Has a $2.4 million crew choice for subsequent season.
• Player B: Guaranteed $18 million a 12 months by way of the 2028-29 season.
No one stated comparisons had been truthful.
