(670 The Score) In the early stages of training camp, Bulls coach Billy Donovan suggested he would mix and match his lineups in the four preseason games. He made his first major change Wednesday, inserting rookie Patrick Williams as the starting small forward in place of Otto Porter Jr.
The Bulls rolled to a 124-103 victory against a bad, rebuilding Thunder squad that benched its starters coming out of halftime as well. Here are a few observations from the Bulls’ easy victory.
Williams keeps impressing
Donovan cited the evaluation process for why he wanted to get Williams in the starting lineup. He also added the Bulls would have an “open mind” to keeping Williams there in the regular season if it was what was best for the team, mentioning that Porter could be a stabilizing influence on the second unit.
In his first start since what he guessed was preseason action for Florida State last season – Williams didn’t start for the Seminoles in the regular season – he scored 13 points on 6-of-9 shooting and added seven rebounds. Williams fit in fine with the starters, though he wasn’t a focal point of the offense early on. He didn’t attempt a shot in the first six minutes of the game as guard Zach LaVine had a hot hand early.
“Pat is super talented, super poised, never gets rattled,” guard Coby White said. “He’s been having a great preseason. I’m not surprised. Like I said, I grew up with Pat, so I’ve been seeing this forever. But he played really well tonight. He was aggressive. He took his shots. I wanted him to be more aggressive in taking shots, but he’s still trying to figure out his way.”
Donovan hasn’t made up his mind about his starters yet. He also praised Porter, who had eight points and 12 rebounds and was a plus-19 in the box score.
“OP in that second unit could be a good thing for us,” Donovan said. “He’s a complete pro. He keeps himself ready. It’s kind of like whatever you need, he’s willing to do.”
Markkanen still struggling
In what should represent the Bulls’ biggest concern at this time, big man Lauri Markkanen has played poorly in the last two preseason games after regressing in the 2019-’20 season.
Markkanen scored 11 points while shooting 4-of-15, including 2-of-9 on 3-pointers, in 29 minutes Wednesday. The performance came after he scored just three points on 1-of-10 shooting in the Bulls’ win against the Rockets on Sunday evening. Markkanen did a have strong game in Chicago’s preseason opener.
In addition to struggling with his shooting, Markkanen has looked lost at times when attacking the hoop. For every occasional hard-charging drive that nearly results in him putting a foe on a poster, there are far more cases of Markkanen losing control of the ball and falling over while heading to the hoop. Markkanen has just six free-throw attempts and has coughed up eight turnovers in three games.
“I like the fact that he remained aggressive offensively,” Donovan said. “Like he missed some threes, but he didn’t try to stay back out there. He tried to drive the ball to the basket, he tried to finish around the rim. He did some good things.”
White, LaVine shine
The Bulls’ backcourt tandem of White and LaVine both hummed simultaneously.
White had 27 points and three assists while shooting 11-of-17 from the field, while LaVine had 24 points and five assists while shooting 9-of-14.
There have been plenty of questions about whether White and LaVine can mesh, which is why their promising play together left LaVine enthusiastic.
“With both of us playing the guard spots, we have to be able to facilitate and score,” LaVine said. “I think we’re getting better at it.”
Donovan liked how White let the game come to him, then was aggressive in the third quarter. White had nine points in the first half, then 18 in the third quarter.
“He’s got to be able to balance that,” Donovan said. “I think as a point guard on any team, it’s almost like that mentality that you’re going to have to eat last, so to speak.”
Cody Westerlund is a sports editor for 670TheScore.com and covers the Bulls. Follow him on Twitter @CodyWesterlund.