Patrick Williams relishes playing all 82 regular season games

In today's era of load management, it is not often we see players who suit up and play for all 82 games of the regular season. As a matter of fact, there were only 10 of them who played the complete regular-season slate, and on that list were two Chicago Bulls players: Patrick Williams and Nikola Vucevic.

Williams, the young third-year-pro, relished the opportunity to play all 82 games, especially coming off an injury-riddled sophomore season that limited him to just 17 appearances.

"It's a blessing to play all 82. It was something that I definitely wanted to do and something I want to continue to do throughout the course of my career," said the Florida State product.

Infectious atmosphere

Williams relayed that he's just fortunate enough to be on a team filled with guys who enjoy being out there on the court, competing.

"You got a lot of guys who love to hoop," Williams said. "That's really where it stems from. There's no other ego. Guys love to compete. I think that's what you're seeing."

In an era where minutes and appearances are micro-managed, the Bulls are the exception, as six players played in 74 games or more. Alex Caruso also played in 67 games this season, which represents a career-high for the Bald Mamba.

"Outside of the Lonzo (Ball) situation and Javonte (Green), we've been pretty fortunate," said Bulls coach Billy Donovan. "Zach missing four of the first eight games and us looking at having to manage his back-to-backs, we've kind of gotten through that. He was able to play a lot of them. PatBev has been pretty durable."

Following the veterans' lead

Williams' sophomore season was stalled when he suffered torn ligaments in his wrist that came as a result of a flagrant foul committed by the New York Knicks' Mitchell Robinson. He came into the 2022-2023 season determined to make the most out of every opportunity given to him and the hard work paid off, as Williams posted solid numbers of 10.2 points, 4.0 rebounds, 1.2 assists, and nearly a steal and a block per game.

"After missing so many games last year, I didn't want to miss anything that I can control," Williams said. "Prehab, rehab, making sure I'm physically and mentally there. I want to play them all. That was my mindset coming in."

Having veterans like Vucevic to emulate also helped Williams a lot.

"Obviously seeing Vooch being strategic on his routine has been huge. DeMar and Zach are like that too. PBev. They make sure they're ready for each game, whether it's lifting before or lifting after," Williams said. "Things that they do,' back-to-back (games), I do this, day between, I do this, practice day I do this,' to make sure their body feels good, whatever that might be for them. Seeing the benefits of it and that it works is huge."