With the Chicago Bulls' core guys back, Patrick Williams is now looking to find other ways to contribute

The rollercoaster that has been the career of Patrick Williams continues on its path this season as the young forward tries to find his footing now that the main guys of the Chicago Bulls are back and healthy.

With the Bulls losing Zach LaVine and Torrey Craig in December due to various injuries, Williams stepped to the fore and averaged 14.1 points while shooting 52 percent from the field and 4.4 rebounds in 33 minutes. His exceptional play was part of why the Bulls had a 10-5 record last month, which helped them rise in the Eastern Conference standings.

However, with LaVine and Nikola Vucevic—who sat out five games due to an adductor injury—now back in the starting five, the former Florida State star must adjust to a new role on the team. While he may see fewer shot attempts and touches, Williams is determined to continue contributing in any way possible.

Find opportunities to make an impact

Consistency has long been Patrick’s bane, and he knows it. Since the return of the two All-Stars, Williams’ production dipped to 6.0 points and 2.6 rebounds per game. He knows shot attempts will be harder to come by, but he still has to find ways to make an impact on the court.

“Obviously, Zach was out for a while, Vooch was out for a bit, and certain guys had to step up,” Williams said.

“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.”