CLEVELAND — First, forward Patrick Williams has to find his way back from a strained right ankle.
He tried to warm up before the game against the Cavaliers, but ultimately it was decided to give it at least until Thursday in Toronto.
Once he’s back in action, Williams can try to find his way back to consistency.
That has always been a bit tricky for Williams.
He made strides in December when Zach LaVine and Torrey Craig were sidelined with injuries and Nikola Vucevic went down for a spell.
Williams averaged 33 minutes, 14.1 points and 4.4 rebounds and shot 52.1% from the field and 50% from three-point range, mostly as a starter.
But with LaVine and Vucevic back, Williams has returned to his bench role and averaged six points and 2.6 rebounds.
The map has changed, and Williams has to get out his compass and find a direction.
“Obviously, Zach was out for a while, Vooch was out for a bit, and certain guys had to step up,” Williams said Monday. “We took care of that, and we handled our business, but just because those guys are back, it’s still on me and everyone else to continue playing like we were before and understanding that’s when we’re at our best. It’s about finding those opportunities again, understanding where they come from.
“When guys are out — All-Star-caliber guys — it [affects] the way we play, the offense that we have. Now it’s, ‘OK, those guys are back,’ but you still have to find those opportunities even when the touches go down. It gets back to offensive rebounding, transition points, catch-and-shooting, just be in as many actions as possible.”
And being in the right headspace. That’s where DeMar DeRozan comes in. Like he has throughout his stay with the Bulls, DeRozan has no problem mentoring Williams.
“What I try to explain to Pat is everything you go through as a young guy will mold you and turn you into the pro you need to be,” DeRozan said. “Right now, it can be tough trying to constantly figure out what’s needed from him, but my thing is, once you get it, you’ll find the appreciation of the ups and downs. Look how long it took [Coby White], and I don’t think he’d have the resiliency he has now if he didn’t go through all the stuff he did earlier in his career.”
DeRozan was speaking from experience. His rookie year with the Raptors was a mind game over when he would play, even when he was a starter.
“The last 15 games of the season, they took me out of the starting lineup completely,” DeRozan said. “That was heartbreaking at the time, but it put me in a different mindset to want so much more.
“Pat will get there.”
Hustle and flow
As LaVine was preparing to return from his right foot injury, there were concerns about his reintegration into a team that went 10-7 without him.
Those concerns have been quelled for the most part. While LaVine’s usage rate and field-goal attempts are down, he is still finding ways to affect the game without impairing the ball movement that took place without him.
“I think [LaVine’s] flowing really well,” guard Alex Caruso said. “When he gets to the paint, he’s making really good reads and not forcing anything. When he does that, he plays better, and it makes our offense easier. It simplifies stuff for us.”
