Bulls' LaVine says Williams isn't always calm and quiet
Patrick Williams put his calm demeanor on display Saturday when he drained a 52-foot heave at the third-quarter buzzer against Sacramento.
Williams' facial expression never changed. He just watched the shot go in and walked back to the Bulls' bench.
"I've hit threes before," Williams said after the game. "That's pretty much about it."
It turned out to be an important basket, since it put the Bulls up by 12 and the Kings had been within 4 points with just over a minute left in the game.
The Bulls rookie has drawn comparisons to Clippers star Kawhi Leonard, as a two-way forward with huge hands. And both are quiet, but their personalities seem a little different.
Leonard isn't a big talker in public and rarely has much reaction to anything. Williams is usually smiling and friendly, like he's greeting a customer at his mother's flower shop in Charlotte, N.C. He even sang during one Zoom meeting with reporters.
Asked why he's so even-keel, Williams replied, "I'm not really sure. It's just the type of person I am, off the court as well. I can't really explain it. That's just who I am and how I am."
Williams finished his postgame chat with some friendly banter as teammate Zach LaVine walked into the interview area. LaVine was able to provide more insight into Williams' demeanor.
"Only on the court he doesn't show emotion," LaVine said. "It's crazy. Off the court, he's goofy as ever, asks a lot of questions, jokes around, laughs a lot, always wants the older guys in the locker room to tell stories about the NBA and stuff that goes on.
"On the court, he's just stone cold, straight-faced. That's just his personality."