Things are better in Chicago, and it's not just Josh Giddey or Lonzo Ball who are benefiting. Monday night against Brooklyn, it's Matas Buzelis who put himself forward. The Lithuanian signed the best performance of his young career, three days after missing his point during his entry against Boston. The life of a rookie, but also the sign of the confidence placed by the franchise in the 11th choice of the last Draft.
Entering the game midway through the first quarter, Matas Buzelis immediately stood out with a rebound in his first defensive action, then a confident 3-point shot on his first attack. The sign of a player not cooled by his sluggish start to the season.
« I always think things are going to be hard no matter what I face » explained the winger after the meeting. “ I know it will be hard. So when it is, I'm not shocked. But I stay in the present moment, I never considered the future. I just try to improve every day. »
Make mistakes? So much the better !
Something done on Monday, with a full match, both in his external address (4/5), his ability to place himself on the counterattack to exploit the approximate withdrawal of the Nets, or to make his instincts speak in defense. Matas Buzelis finished with the most playing time of the Bulls substitutes for 17 points at 7/10, 5 rebounds and 2 blocks.
« One of his great strengths in my opinion is when he is disappointed and he would have liked to do better, it does not paralyze him » said Billy Donovan, who had warned his young players would not be “freewheeling”. « I've seen some players who are terrified of making mistakes and do absolutely nothing. He's not like that. Tonight he was very focused and he deserved his minutes. »
In a transitional season for the Bulls, seeing Matas Buzelis grow can be a real cause for excitement and a foundation to build on. “ It was obviously the best match of my career up to that point. » confirmed the person concerned. “ I continue to learn, to work to progress. I think it's going in the right direction, every time I play, I continue to learn and become more comfortable on the floor. »
The call for significant and constant playing time is being made, especially in the absence of Patrick Williams.
| Matas Buzelis | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saison | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | LF | Off | Def | To | Pd | Fte | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2024-25 | CHI | 20 | 11 | 36.7 | 31.0 | 76.5 | 0.4 | 1.8 | 2.2 | 0.2 | 1.4 | 0.4 | 0.8 | 0.6 | 4.2 |
| Total | 20 | 11 | 36.7 | 31.0 | 76.5 | 0.4 | 1.8 | 2.2 | 0.2 | 1.4 | 0.4 | 0.8 | 0.6 | 4.2 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
