The Latest Breaking News from Billy Donovan

Forward Patrick Williams came into the fall camp and preseason schedule with a lot of eyes on him, and completely underwhelmed. Now, it will be interesting to see how the former No. 4 overall pick gets up off the mat and responds when the games start counting.

“Ayo right now is going to be the guy back there for us,” coach Billy Donovan said. “He’s done a really good job this training camp and preseason.”

Coach Billy Donovan went to the lab for a new look in the second preseason game, benching former No. 4 overall Patrick Williams in favor of Javonte Green. It worked, as the Bulls man-handled the Denver Nuggets at the United Center of Friday.

The two-time All-Star has said on several occasions that the five-year, $215-million max contract he signed over the summer wouldn’t change his work ethic or add pressure, and his coach said on Friday that’s held true. That doesn’t mean that Donovan doesn’t see room for improvement from LaVine,…

CHICAGO — The Chicago Bulls entered this season focused on playing fast and fluid. But their first preseason game Tuesday signaled a disconnect between this game plan and the team’s offensive reality without starting point guard Lonzo Ball.

The defense went from lockdown to punch line last season, and with the Bulls front office opting to bring almost the exact same crew back, it remained an issue in the preseason opener. Coach Billy Donovan wants to see better, starting Friday against the Nuggets.

The Bulls' rookie knows playing hard on the defensive end is key to earning minutes.

CHICAGO — Dalen Terry provided a spark of optimism for the Chicago Bulls in their first game of the preseason, but there’s still plenty to fix as they prepare to start the season without point guard Lonzo Ball.

It’s way too early to call the No. 4 pick from the 2020 draft a bust, but that doesn’t mean his ongoing passiveness can’t be questioned, especially after the preseason opener of a very important Year 3 for him.