The Chicago Bulls are nowhere near ready to make a Finals run with their current crop of players, but the fact that they’re on the path to make a play-in tournament appearance is a win for a team without any clear superstars.
Multiple players are helping the Bulls remain competitive in the East. Josh Giddey’s incredible game-winner against the Los Angeles Lakers overshadowed his consistent play for the Bulls this season. Coby White took another step in his development as the team’s primary scoring option.
However, Matas Buzelis has quietly forced his way into Billy Donovan’s starting lineup with consistent performances. While he’s far from the finished product, his impressive performance against the Dallas Mavericks promises an exciting future to the Windy City’s basketball fans.
Matas Buzelis’s 28 points push the Chicago Bulls to a narrow game vs. Dallas
Chicago had a rough game against a depleted Mavericks roster. The 119-120 loss at the American Airlines Center makes their position in the play-in tournament less secure (though the Toronto Raptors are still wins away from becoming a serious threat).
However, Buzelis’s performance in the game caught the fans’ attention. His 28 points, nine rebounds, and six assists flaunted a future where he can become a reliable pillar alongside White and Giddey.
The stats of his rookie campaign may leave non-hardcore Bulls fans to think that he’s not an exciting talent to watch out for. His averages of 7.8 points, 3.2 points, and 0.8 assists are telling signs of a rookie still trying to get his bearings in the league.
However, his stats since getting more regular minutes showcase a talented rookie who’s ready to take the next step with the roster. Since January 27, he averages 12.5 points, 4.0 boards, 1.6 assists, 0.6 steals, and 0.9 blocks.
Moreover, Sports Illustrated’s Derek Parker emphasized that Buzelis is still in the early days of a (hopefully) successful NBA career:
At just 20, Buzelis still has several years to develop into a unique, two-way forward for the Bulls. He was essentially the first piece of their rebuild being draft just last year, but it certainly a massive part of it.
While it’s more likely that his Bulls will be bowing out in the play-in tournament, such a strong showing should give Bulls fans encouraging signs on what’s to come for their team.
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