Chicago Bulls rookie Caleb Wilson needed just one game to prove he was the real deal. Going after Cameron Boozer, the UNC product went off in the Bulls' Summer League debut, showcasing his entire repertoire.
Wilson scored 35 points in his debut, the second-most in Summer League history. It was the highest-scoring debut ever, and it included seven three-pointers, as many as he had in his lone season in college.
Nevertheless, the No. 4 pick didn't want to hear anything about how well he played. Instead, all he could think about was the final score. The Bulls lost to the Memphis Grizzlies 97-96, and when asked about his electric performance, Wilson had two simple words to sum it up: "We lost."
Chicago Bulls rookie Caleb Wilson has the right mindset
Wilson's doubters claimed he couldn't shoot and was on-and-off on defense. He responded by knocking down seven of 11 three-pointers, blocking three shots, and logging two steals. Still, none of that was as impressive as those two words.
This is Summer League; it's mostly meaningless. Teams only want to watch their young players and guys on the roster bubble, help them develop, shake off the rust or the jitters, and sometimes work their way back from injury.
It doesn't matter. If he's out there, Caleb Wilson wants to win; it's as simple as that. That's the competitive drive and mindset this team has lacked since Jimmy Butler's departure, and the same it had during the Michael Jordan and Derrick Rose eras.
Of course, this doesn't mean that Wilson will be the second coming of Michael Jordan. As much as he wanted to talk about that connection as two former Tar Heels taking their talents to the Windy City, those are unrealistic and unfair expectations and a burden too heavy to carry.
That said, Wilson's heart and mind are clearly in the right place. It's all about competing at the highest possible level and leaving everything on the court on both ends of the floor. Also, it's about showing that he can do what the doubters say he can't.
There will be some tough nights. He won't shoot the ball at that clip every game, let alone against pro-caliber competition, but the mere fact that he's taking those shots shows that he wants to round up his game and get better at his few areas of improvement. He was a home run of a pick, and it has nothing to do with the 35 points.
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