Chicago Bulls forward Patrick Williams not scared of Giannis

Sunday night, the Chicago Bulls looked like they were going to get trounced by the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 1 of their first round playoff matchup.

With the Bucks storming out to a 16-point lead early on and Giannis Antetokounmpo stacking his box score in a hurry, things looked bleak. However, the Bulls’ defense stepped up and allowed them to get back in the game.

Though Chicago lost by a score of 93-86, they had to feel as though they accomplished something. On a night where the Bulls shot just 33 percent from the field, they were able to put the clamps on Giannis and the Bucks in the second half.

Game 2 might be a different story, though, especially if Giannis happens to hear what Patrick Williams said Wednesday morning.

Chicago Bulls forward Patrick Williams tried to play it cool, but may end up regretting his comments about Giannis Antetokounmpo.

When asked about how to prepare for a player like Giannis on Wednesday morning, Williams told the media:

“Same as you get ready for anybody else. First of all, don’t be scared. I feel like a lot of people in this league are scared or nervous to guard guys like that… He puts his pants on the same way I do. He’s good, but he’s not God.” (h/t Rob Schaefer)

So, instead of acknowledging the elite level player that Giannis is, Williams went the opposite direction. He almost made it seem as though Giannis is nothing to worry about and that he’s no more than just a guy.

Let us not forget what Giannis did to three Bulls players by himself on Sunday night. This is no ordinary man, and Williams knows it.

Whether Williams was simply trying to psych himself up or not, the words he spoke will not go unheard in that Milwaukee locker room.

Bulls fans were already afraid that Sunday night was the closest they would get to stealing a game on the Bucks’ home court, but these comments by Williams may have sealed their fate to go down 2-0, heading back to Chicago.

This won’t be a game where just Williams needs to step up against Giannis, though. It’s going to take a group effort defensively. And, the Bulls need more from DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine.

Will the Bulls be able to hang with the Bucks again, or will Milwaukee roll in Game 2? We’re only hours from finding out, now.