The Chicago Bulls select forward Patrick Williams #4 overall.

[Jo Jo English]

Well I was at the UC once when Jamal Mashburn lit up HOF’er Scottie Pippen for 50 points. So that’s something.

I was there too! Jimmy Jackson had like 37 as well.

It was early in the 94/95 season, right?

(I swear I didn't look any of this up. How close was I?)

Watch on YouTube

I was just a little kid, but I was so angry.

I was in high school.

My family got tickets for two games that year. That game against the Mavs, and this game later on...

Watch on YouTube

(younger Bulls fans should watch that one above. Great ending to the window when MJ was away. Great Pip dunk +1 to seal it.)

The game before Jordan returned. Rumor hit later on that he tried to play in this one to surprise Chicago fans, but a physical didn't clear. Sounds sketchy. I need to believe it is sketchy. No one will ever convince me it was possible and it nearly happened. I couldn't take it.

Ultimately they were two Jordan-less games, before he returned and the Bulls were:

Watch on YouTube

... but they were still very memorable games. Glad I was at them both.

[fleet]

Spoiler:

This is straight blasphemy. There is only one #4 in Chicago and it is retired. Put some respect on his name!

Still love cash, and always will be a cash fan.

[Ugly Duckling]

I need to watch a lot more tape of this guy, but my very early first impression is that this was a weak draft outside of the top 3 and AK decided to make a somewhat risky, but potentially high-reward pick, which is what we were expecting from him. Williams doesn't seem like an alpha, but I'm not sure there were any clear ones left on the board. What he does seem like is a hard-nosed defense guy, which we need with guys like White and LaVine in the backcourt. Markkanen is no defensive anchor either. Pat Will also has decent speed, handles and shooting. He seems like a hard worker and doesn't need the ball. He has the potential to be the best player from this draft (I personally think Edwards will be better), which is what we need from the 4th pick. Even if he busts, he'll still be a serviceable player

[oldshoolballer]

Surprised they passed on a point guard but I hope the Kid works out.

[Bankshot]

Watch on YouTube

This was 7 months ago......

I like the form on his shot and his ball handling...good body and effortless athlete...again 7 months ago

[TheStig]

There's going to be A LOT of crow being served by the quick takes in this thread.

Pat Will will be fine. Mock drafts in a pandemic year still had him rocketing up boards quickly. This isn't a reach and even if it is, it won't matter if he was picked 4th, 7th, or 10th when he's putting up numbers in the future...

I want to eat crow so bad. I got my red hot hot sauce ready for the crow

But I was coming into this draft with this belief that AK and eversly would be the shrewed operators, and with this pick its a part of me that feels like we actually got played. It feels like someone sold us the hype so the better prospects could fall and we drunk the kool aid. No telling the next time we get a pick this high again we really needed a home run here. I'm not seeing a prospect with any more potential than a Carter jr or Hutchinson. We really needed more than that.

The problem in this draft is that outside of the top 2, no one is a real proven commodity and we haven't seen them play in like 10 months. This kid has shot up everyone's boards. Everyone wanted him. That would make me assume that he's been working hard and adding to his game. He's also incredibly athletic. If he worked hard, added to his game, has a good attitude and work ethic and is incredibly athletic there is no reason to be down on him.

[weneeda2guard]

Years and years complaining about a FO that plays it safe.
8 **** months in the draft thread stating that this is a **** draft and prospects 4-20 are on the same level.
Everybody believes that you draft BPA and ignore fit.

And all that goes out the window when we pick Pat Will.

Just... Breath, guys.

You know what this thread could use, maybe some great takes on why this might be a good pick? All the "stop the crying" post is unfair and not what this board is about. We are not bulls fans who just go along we all give our criticism when we see fit and we give props when we see fit. None of us have to just go along. This board is for both perspectives not just 1 side. I find all these takes like this cheap insults your not more of a bulls than me because you will just roll with whatever they do. Hell our takes are not insane its scouts experts all over the place not so sure about this pick as well.

All I'm saying is those of us pessimistic are not trying to coerce everyone to feel how we feel and I dont think its cool for those optimistic to accuse those of us pessimistic of just being whiners. This thread is for opinion, for or against. Its ok that some of us are unsure or against.

[PhilLeotardo]

I absolutely love this pick. It was brilliant

FREAKY physical specimen, excellent base skill set, and what a dynamic/bright/charismatic individual

I was so bummed that they were gonna take Hayes or Hali, but they proved that made a statement

The STONES on AKEVS, my gosh. Everyone is decimating them for this, but won’t be when Pat Will is out there slicing fools up. That dude is a dang freight train. I said months ago that Poku/Vassell/Pat Will had the highest upsides in this class, and I stand by that. The Bulls needed ATHLETES, and they got one

[southpaw954]

Considering the Spurs and Pistons liked him I am cool with it. When the Spurs want the guy you drafted there must be something to him.

you had me at Spurs. lost me at pistons

[Grodoboldo]

Years and years complaining about a FO that plays it safe.
8 **** months in the draft thread stating that this is a **** draft and prospects 4-20 are on the same level.
Everybody believes that you draft BPA and ignore fit.

And all that goes out the window when we pick Pat Will.

Just... Breath, guys.

You know what this thread could use, maybe some great takes on why this might be a good pick? All the "stop the crying" post is unfair and not what this board is about. We are not bulls fans who just go along we all give our criticism when we see fit and we give props when we see fit. None of us have to just go along. This board is for both perspectives not just 1 side. I find all these takes like this cheap insults your not more of a bulls than me because you will just roll with whatever they do. Hell our takes are not insane its scouts experts all over the place not so sure about this pick as well.

All I'm saying is those of us pessimistic are not trying to coerce everyone to feel how we feel and I dont think its cool for those optimistic to accuse those of us pessimistic of just being whiners. This thread is for opinion, for or against. Its ok that some of us are unsure or against.

I saw at least 3 videos that I can remember posted in this thread that state why this is a valid pick.

[johnnyvann840]

Could be a home run. I didn't know much about him but he looks to be ambidextrous with good hands and feet. High upside pick. Smart kid, willing to work. Understands what it takes. Versatile. High IQ.

[VolumePoster]

I absolutely love this pick. It was brilliant

FREAKY physical specimen, excellent base skill set, and what a dynamic/bright/charismatic individual

I was so bummed that they were gonna take Hayes or Hali, but they proved that made a statement

The STONES on AKEVS, my gosh. Everyone is decimating them for this, but won’t be when Pat Will is out there slicing fools up. That dude is a dang freight train. I said months ago that Poku/Vassell/Pat Will had the highest upsides in this class, and I stand by that. The Bulls needed ATHLETES, and they got one

I do like that they had their pick and just went for it. Look, what’s the point of all this investing in high potential players if you don’t swing for the fences?

[johnnyvann840]

Had to laugh... In his interview he says he can play 1 thru 5 and guard 1 thru 5. Love the confidence he has in his versatility.

One thing the Bulls really needed was two way, high IQ players and he seems like one.

[Just_Bullz]

We have unearthed the Bron killer.

Though I was hoping for Haliburton but we shall roll with this unicorn and move on.

Welcome to the bulls, get ready for the kill in 3-4 years.

[erlim]

It was a nice couple of months of fan base hopium with Boylen and Gar getting jettisoned, but now we are just going to get on some bleacher report list on how we passed on more successful players later in the draft a few years down the line from now.

[johnnyvann840]

It was a nice couple of months of fan base hopium with Boylen and Gar getting jettisoned, but now we are just going to get on some bleacher report list on how we passed on more successful players later in the draft a few years down the line from now.

How can you possibly know that at this point? Give the kid a chance. This was a draft where nobody knew much at all about these kids. More of an unknown than any draft, ever. Personally, I'm glad our new FO has the stones to not care about mocks or where anybody else thinks a player should go. They just went and got the guy they wanted, regardless.

[Grodoboldo]

Read on Twitter

@NBACouchside: The list of 6'7" or taller players from high majors who hit 80% or more on their FT (min 50 FTA) and have 2% steals and 2% blocks minimum in either of their first 2 seasons, since 2008 is:

Jayson Tatum
Patrick Williams

That's the whole list.

https://t.co/73Wu2WJUWR

[PhilippineBulls]

damn... GarPax laughing and rolling in their graves right now. "they fired us for this??? lol"

[Clint Eastwood]

There's going to be A LOT of crow being served by the quick takes in this thread.

Pat Will will be fine. Mock drafts in a pandemic year still had him rocketing up boards quickly. This isn't a reach and even if it is, it won't matter if he was picked 4th, 7th, or 10th when he's putting up numbers in the future...

I want to eat crow so bad. I got my red hot hot sauce ready for the crow

But I was coming into this draft with this belief that AK and eversly would be the shrewed operators, and with this pick its a part of me that feels like we actually got played. It feels like someone sold us the hype so the better prospects could fall and we drunk the kool aid. No telling the next time we get a pick this high again we really needed a home run here. I'm not seeing a prospect with any more potential than a Carter jr or Hutchinson. We really needed more than that.

I wouldn’t go quite that far. The more I think about it, the more the Nasir Little comp makes sense. And little in this draft would not be such a terrible thing at 4, even with his uninspiring freshman year. Williams didn’t have that kind of hype coming into the NCAA, but I’m not sure that there is any less raw talent. Still would have preferred many other options - to include a move up - but I do see the upside case - though the lack of a super first step is a limiting thing, along with less perimeter movement (“heavier feet”) than what is ideal for a 3. We’ll have to see.

Williams was a 5 star top 30 recruit in the nation who chose to go somewhere where he would not be showcased. Hes a team first player.

[weneeda2guard]

Years and years complaining about a FO that plays it safe.
8 **** months in the draft thread stating that this is a **** draft and prospects 4-20 are on the same level.
Everybody believes that you draft BPA and ignore fit.

And all that goes out the window when we pick Pat Will.

Just... Breath, guys.

You know what this thread could use, maybe some great takes on why this might be a good pick? All the "stop the crying" post is unfair and not what this board is about. We are not bulls fans who just go along we all give our criticism when we see fit and we give props when we see fit. None of us have to just go along. This board is for both perspectives not just 1 side. I find all these takes like this cheap insults your not more of a bulls than me because you will just roll with whatever they do. Hell our takes are not insane its scouts experts all over the place not so sure about this pick as well.

All I'm saying is those of us pessimistic are not trying to coerce everyone to feel how we feel and I dont think its cool for those optimistic to accuse those of us pessimistic of just being whiners. This thread is for opinion, for or against. Its ok that some of us are unsure or against.

I saw at least 3 videos that I can remember posted in this thread that state why this is a valid pick.

I watched videos that carried just as much pessimism as many of us have here. Not that he is a clear bust. Just that him going 4th is not really justified and he def has some holes in his game. He not a great outside shooter, he not a very good scorer off the dribble, he doesn't have a excellent ability to create his own shot, guys like obi toppin, okongwu, okoro, even deni had projected to have very high ceilings. And they were all there for us to take. So now if Williams is just a mediocre prospect who will be will be followed with the labels "development " and "potential " for years to come just how Hutchison valentine Carter jr even lauri have now and obi okongwu etc bust out and do very well we are going to regret this draft.

It's why I'm saying if he works than these guys look like geniuses but if he bust we won't hear the end of it. Just not the way you want to start this new regime.