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"I think we're still pretty good" - Patrick Williams on what the Chicago Bulls are like even when some guys sit out due to injuries

Williams is confident the Bulls can get it done even when some players are out due to injuries.

Stephen Beslic

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The Chicago Bulls have been beset by injuries this season. Lonzo Ball, sitting out another whole season, has been joined by the likes of Zach LaVine, Nikola Vucevic, and Torrey Craig, all of whom have suffered injuries that have shelved them for an extended period. Despite the injuries, Patrick Williams believes the team has sufficient firepower and resolve to overcome this adversity.

Have to find a way

Williams, who recently stepped into the starting lineup in place of LaVine, who’s out for a few weeks because of a sprained ankle, said they understand the nature of the NBA, wherein opponents won’t care about their injury woes. He emphasized that they must find a way to win games and stay competitive.

“You just find a way,” Williams said.

“The end goal is to win the game (no matter) who's playing, who's not playing. That's your job as a team, that's your job as a player to win games. We're all trying to find a way to do that.”

One team whose campaign has been severely compromised by injuries was the Bulls’ victim on Saturday—the Memphis Grizzlies. Once considered a team to be reckoned with, the Grizzlies have fallen by the wayside this season because of severe injuries suffered by the team’s stars, such as Ja Morant, Steven Adams, Desmond Bane, and Marcus Smart.

Williams said his teammates are ready to perform their duties whenever Bulls coach Billy Donovan calls their numbers.

‘‘The good teams know how to still win games when they’re missing key pieces. For us, it’s about playing with pace, getting downhill, knowing shots may not fall as easily as they do when [LaVine’s] playing. But getting stops defensively and getting out in transition, I think we’re still pretty good.’’ Williams added.

Reserves stepping up

Donovan also praised the team’s reserves for staying ready, physically and mentally, despite not getting consistent playing time.

“During the course of an NBA season, you’re going to have guys out,” Donovan said.

“It gives an opportunity for someone that hadn’t had those number of minutes. The injuries are just a part of it. I think our guys should have confidence. Not every guy is going to be in the rotation when we’re whole.”

"To be honest I haven't had many good days" - Patrick Williams on lingering ankle injury

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Stephen Beslic
STEPHEN BESLIC

Stephen Beslic is a writer on Sports Illustrated's FanNation Network. Stephen played basketball from the age of 10 and graduated from Faculty of Economic and Business in Zagreb, Croatia, majoring in Marketing.

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