There’s no easier shot attempt to convert than a dunk. Dunks typically account for about eight percent of a team’s total points and roughly 16 percent of their two-point field goals. Those whose shot diets are predicated on dunks and alley-oops typically reign supreme regarding field goal percentage.

For instance, the NBA’s top-five leaders in dunks last season shot better than 55.0 percent from the floor. To further illustrate this point, all players whose field goals consisted of 26.0 percent or more dunks shot above 60.0 percent from the field. Today’s game isn’t just predicated on three-pointers but also dunks.

While it’s been illustrated that a dunk is the easiest way to get a bucket, that only applies to some. Chicago Bulls forward Patrick Williams isn’t known for his high-flying jams, perhaps for good reason. The 6-foot-8 forward is athletic and strong, yet he’s struggled to convert on his dunk attempts this season.

Williams, the former fourth-overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, is 2-of-7 on dunk attempts this season. Sure, some of his attempts have been bodacious tries over numerous defenders, but others have been simple putbacks he’s missed.

Unfortunately, this odd occurrence has followed the athletic forward for much of his career. Williams has made 119 of 187 dunk attempts in his career, a 63.6 percent conversion rate. Williams’ success rate is nearly 25 percent worse than that of the average NBA player.

Williams’ propensity for missed dunks is undoubtedly one of the odder storylines this season. It wouldn’t be as peculiar if the 6-foot-8, 215-pound Williams was instead a more undersized guard or a subpar athlete. However, that’s not the case with Williams. Coming out of college, he was deemed a “freakish” athlete, and that’s held somewhat true in the pros. Ricky O’Donnell of SB Nation also pointed out Williams’ impressive physical profile while discussing his same penchant for missed dunks in a hilarious article a day prior.

Despite the size and athleticism, some of Williams’ dunk attempts illustrate a blatant unawareness of the basketball court. Or maybe a lack of awareness of his physical gifts? These reasons are entirely unknown, but at least it’s apparent Williams moves pretty well without the ball.

Going forward, it’s likely Chicago’s two-way wing continues to miss dunks. He is fearless in challenging defenders at the rim or attempting a quick putback off an offensive rebound. Nevertheless, the hope is that Williams will convert more of these usually guaranteed attempts.