Bulls Forward Matas Buzelis Takes Game to New Heights with Mental Edge
When it comes to being a defensive threat in the NBA, few players are as elusive as Bulls forward Matas Buzelis. On Wednesday, one play encapsulated his impressive growth on that end of the floor. After blocking Pistons forward Paul Reed's shot and chasing down a quick outlet pass from guard Tre Jones, Buzelis set up behind the three-point line and knocked down a three-pointer. This kind of athleticism is rare in young players, but it's even more remarkable when you factor in his increasing defensive awareness.
Buzelis has taken significant strides in improving his game, particularly on defense, which has been a focus for coach Billy Donovan. He knows that as the speed and athleticism of NBA players increase, so do the challenges for young players to keep up. However, Buzelis is acclimating to the pace with remarkable success.
His defensive awareness is starting to catch up with his physical gifts, which has led to a career-high in blocks (4) on Wednesday. He's entering the 100th percentile in block percentage (2.4), a testament to his ability to read the game and make plays before they happen.
"It's like he's seeing it happen before it happens," said Donovan of Buzelis' defensive prowess. "He's pulling in, putting himself in position to make those plays." While Donovan acknowledges that there will be times where Buzelis gets overwhelmed physically, his shot-blocking ability is a significant asset for the Bulls.
Buzelis is becoming a well-rounded two-way player, as evident from his practice sessions after shootaround. He's taking on more responsibility on offense and playing more decisively, but Donovan notes that there's even more to come. With Josh Giddey and Coby White dealing with injuries, Buzelis has had the opportunity to take on a larger role.
The 24-year-old forward has shown that he can make plays like Jones, who is exceptional at taking care of the ball. Ayo Dosunmu's improved game has been notable, but there are times when his size and athleticism leave him vulnerable to aggressive coverages. Buzelis' ability to see through these situations and throw over the top will be crucial for the Bulls.
As White returns from injury management with a 24-26 minute limit, Donovan is optimistic about the prospect of increasing his minutes in the coming games. The medical staff will aim to gradually move up White's playing time, hoping that it happens soon.
Injury report aside, Buzelis' growth on both ends of the floor has been impressive. As he continues to develop his skills and make plays, he'll become an even more formidable force for the Bulls.
When it comes to being a defensive threat in the NBA, few players are as elusive as Bulls forward Matas Buzelis. On Wednesday, one play encapsulated his impressive growth on that end of the floor. After blocking Pistons forward Paul Reed's shot and chasing down a quick outlet pass from guard Tre Jones, Buzelis set up behind the three-point line and knocked down a three-pointer. This kind of athleticism is rare in young players, but it's even more remarkable when you factor in his increasing defensive awareness.
Buzelis has taken significant strides in improving his game, particularly on defense, which has been a focus for coach Billy Donovan. He knows that as the speed and athleticism of NBA players increase, so do the challenges for young players to keep up. However, Buzelis is acclimating to the pace with remarkable success.
His defensive awareness is starting to catch up with his physical gifts, which has led to a career-high in blocks (4) on Wednesday. He's entering the 100th percentile in block percentage (2.4), a testament to his ability to read the game and make plays before they happen.
"It's like he's seeing it happen before it happens," said Donovan of Buzelis' defensive prowess. "He's pulling in, putting himself in position to make those plays." While Donovan acknowledges that there will be times where Buzelis gets overwhelmed physically, his shot-blocking ability is a significant asset for the Bulls.
Buzelis is becoming a well-rounded two-way player, as evident from his practice sessions after shootaround. He's taking on more responsibility on offense and playing more decisively, but Donovan notes that there's even more to come. With Josh Giddey and Coby White dealing with injuries, Buzelis has had the opportunity to take on a larger role.
The 24-year-old forward has shown that he can make plays like Jones, who is exceptional at taking care of the ball. Ayo Dosunmu's improved game has been notable, but there are times when his size and athleticism leave him vulnerable to aggressive coverages. Buzelis' ability to see through these situations and throw over the top will be crucial for the Bulls.
As White returns from injury management with a 24-26 minute limit, Donovan is optimistic about the prospect of increasing his minutes in the coming games. The medical staff will aim to gradually move up White's playing time, hoping that it happens soon.
Injury report aside, Buzelis' growth on both ends of the floor has been impressive. As he continues to develop his skills and make plays, he'll become an even more formidable force for the Bulls.
, his mental edge is giving him an edge over the competition, like coach donovan said, hes "seeing it happen before it happens" 
. 4 blocks in one game? that's insane 
. and now hes playing more decisively on offense too 
. he's becoming a well-rounded player, and with josh giddey and coby white dealing with injuries, buzelis is getting his chance to shine 
. hopefully hed gets to play more as coby whties minutes increase 
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I think what's really cool is how Matas Buzelis is adapting to the fast-paced NBA game without getting overwhelmed. He's got some amazing defensive skills that are helping him out on both ends of the floor 
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I'm loving how Matas Buzelis is stepping up his game! He's like a cat stalking its prey - so agile and sneaky on defense 
! Coach Billy Donovan's got a great point, he's really starting to anticipate the opponent's moves. That block shot was insane! 
But what I'd love to know more about is how he handles pressure situations. Can he stay calm under fire? 
. It's like he's reading the game before it even happens! 
What do we think about him taking on more responsibility with Josh Giddey and Coby White dealing with injuries? Is he up for the task?
! He's really got that mental edge going on and it's amazing to see him grow into a well-rounded two-way player 
His ability to read the game and make plays before they happen is so impressive. And with Josh Giddey and Coby White dealing with injuries, he's really stepping up for the Bulls 
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he's got this crazy mental edge that's making him almost unhittable on defense its like he's reading the game before it even happens coach donton is rite 
. I'm loving the way he's taking on more responsibility and playing decisively 
I'm still waiting for a live streaming feature that doesn't buffer every 5 seconds on the NBA app. I mean, come on, can't they get it together? 
And another thing, why do we have to watch replays of the same game multiple times because the live stream keeps cutting out? It's so frustrating! 
meanwhile, ayo dosunmu is getting way more minutes than him and hes doing just as much work on defense 
plus, buzelis is still super inconsistent on offense, he can be a 0 point game one sec and then hit 3s like theyre going out of style 
! Like, sure, he's got crazy athleticism, but what's up with everyone forgetting that his offense has been decent too? I mean, we're not seeing him carrying the team to wins on his own, it's more like he's playing smart and getting some decent looks offensively. And don't even get me started on Buzelis' blocks - 4 in one game? That's not just because he's got a nose for the ball, it's also because the Pistons are getting destroyed 
. I think people are overestimating how good he is because he's a 24-year-old kid who's finally getting some playing time. But if you ask me, it's just a matter of time before he gets burned out or loses his edge 
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. I think we need to wait a bit longer before we start hailing him as some kind of NBA phenom 