The Bulls may still be wallowing in mediocrity but second-year forward Matas Buzelis continues to show improvement. He’s averaging 21.3 points, 6.7 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 1.0 block per game in his first three January outings. He scored 26 points in a loss to the Celtics on Monday, making 9-of-12 field goal attempts.
‘‘I think the biggest thing with him that I’ve been the most pleased with and that’s been really consistent from him is he’s not holding the ball and dancing with it,’’ coach Billy Donovan said, per Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun Times. ‘‘He was decisive when he had it in space. Whether it was shooting the ball or driving the ball, he was decisive, and I feel like that’s how he has to play.’’
Buzelis says it’s all part of his learning process.
‘‘I just go out and hoop, try and be the best player I can be,’’ he said. ‘‘I play hard, and I believe in our team. It was just a matter of time and patience, just keep grinding. Just the comfort level, honestly. It’s only Year 2 for me. That’s not an excuse, but [I’m] still getting comfortable out there going against grown men. It feels like it’s just a matter of time, learning and learning.’’
Buzelis is listed as questionable to play against Detroit on Wednesday due to an illness, K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Sports Network tweets.
Here’s more from the Central Division:
- Coby White is also questionable on Wednesday due to right calf injury management. White, an unrestricted free agent after the season, returned to action on Monday after missing the three previous games but struggled. He was held to five points and three assists while committing four turnovers on a minutes limit. “It’s pretty tough being in and out of the lineup, knowing you can only play a certain amount of minutes throughout the entire night,” White told Cowley. “It gets tough when you’re out there and you look up, ‘Damn, I only got like two minutes left and I know I’m coming out.’”
- Pacers coach Rick Carlisle indicated that Bennedict Mathurin has been dealing with right thumb pain for awhile, Tony East of Circle City Spin tweets. “It’s been bothering him. I don’t remember exactly when he did it. But it’s been a while, it’s been weeks,” Carlisle said. “When you keep getting hit, it’s on your shooting hand, it becomes more than a nuisance.” Carlisle reiterated that he’s unsure when Mathurin might return to action. Carlisle said a few days earlier that the fourth-year guard would be “out a while.”
- Peter Feigin is stepping down as the Bucks‘ president after a 12-season run overseeing the team’s business operations, according to The Associated Press. Josh Glessing, who has been working as the Haslam Sports Group’s chief of strategy and development, will replace him. The two will be working together over the next few months during the transition period.
“You don’t know ball! You don’t know ball!” – The Australian Davey J
That’s kind of a weird thing for Coby to say, shouldnt even be thinking like that, ESPECIALLY when you’re on the court. Focus on the game and what you can do to help the team win, not how many more minutes you have left to play. Hope we can move him and Dosunmu and Williams for something more than future 2nds
Because of Patrick Williams’ contract, doubt Williams could even be given away.
Williams( Horrible) and White( injured) Are negative trade values meaning you will have to lose assets just to get rid of them. Ayo is the only positive trade value out of those 3. The best thing to do with Coby right now is keep him the whole year and try for a sign and trade in the off season. That was what Luke Adams also said when I asked him in the chat. There’s nothing to do with Williams anymore except let his contract run out. He’s been tried everywhere and failed. There’s a chance they can get something for Ayo and then re sign him in FA next year as I think he might come back. Re sign Collins trade everything except Matas and Giddey that’s not nailed down and use the money saved on smart FA’s salaries, Not expensive losers on the way out. Get bigger, draft smarter and just admit Donovan is a mistake and move on. Not sure how you can make the best draft pick one year( Matas) And then the worst( Essengue) the next. You could get brain damage trying to figure it out. If they would have traded White at last years draft when I suggested it there would be no problem. Now it’s a problem.
Buzelis still doesn’t earn Donovan’s trust. 4th quarters he’s on the bench, and then says “he’s not doing the little things”. Isn’t your job to put your guys in the best possible position to succeed? It’s sickening to watch him on the bench during crucial 4th quarter minutes but then to have it justified by this coach is hilarious to me. The entire league knows and watches film on this team and we lack size and athleticism, yet you drafted a guy who was GIFTED to you basically last year and possesses the needs that this team needs in order to become a contender, and place him on the bench. Great HOF coaching right there.
Last 10 games for Buzelis (MPG)
1/5 – Boston (30 minutes)
1/3 – Charlotte (34 minutes)
1/2 – Orlando (30 minutes)
12/31 – New Orleans (27 minutes)
12/29 – Minnesota (23 minutes)
12/27 – Milwaukee (22 minutes)
12/26 – Philadelphia (19 minutes)
12/23 – Atlanta (18 minutes)
Unbelievable.
It seems like a compounded problem too where since they have no size and athleticism, billy asks Matas to fix that, and then he’s blamed for the teams shortcomings. Case in point was making him guard Randle , for example, at the 4 instead of playing him at the 3 and starting double bigs. Head scratching stuff
Wolves should trade for Coby White.
Agree … saw a floated idea of Dillingham, Bones, other min salary filler and 2026 first for Coby. If I’m bulls I do that right away
( this proposal had 2032 first in it too, but I’d be shocked if bulls get that much for him )
If they offer all that for a one legged guy they should all be drug tested immediately.
Yeah, we better not give up any FRPs in the deal.