Advertisement - scroll for more content
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement - scroll for more content
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
K.C. Johnson: Buzelis: “If you guys can recall, every one of my beginning of my seasons were tough. New guys coming in, this year it’s even harder. There are challenges all the time. But I can achieve anything I want. I worked extremely hard this summer. I promise you I’ll figure it out.”
K.C. Johnson: Tiago Splitter said Matas Buzelis needs to stop playing in a crowd. Buzelis had more TOs (5) than points (4) vs. 76ers
K.C. Johnson: Knicks 133, Bulls 127 Powell 30 pts Wilson 20 pts, 6 rebs, 4 assists, 2 steals Smith 17 pts, 11 rebs, 5 assists Buzelis 17 pts, 6 rebs Brunson 38 pts, 7 assists Anunoby 23 pts Towns 19 pts, 13 rebs, 5 assists Clarkson 18 pts off bench after DNP-CD last night
Chicago Bulls third-year forward Matas Buzelis made it clear that the recent changes surrounding Lithuanian basketball have not affected his commitment to the national team. He plans to continue representing the country regardless of its World Cup qualification fate. Lithuania recently appointed Dainius Adomaitis as the new national team head coach after Rimas Kurtinaitis resigned from the position in September. Adomaitis, who previously coached Lithuania from 2016 to 2019, has already spoken with Buzelis ahead of the upcoming FIBA window in November. "I mean, stuff happens. It's a business. It's not in my control," Buzelis told BasketNews about the national team changes. "I feel like I can adjust in any way. As long as the coach is real with me, I'll do what I have to do on the court. "It's not really a big difference for me. I can't control what coaches come, what changes or what's going to happen. I don't really focus on that."
Buzelis also praised Kasparas Jakucionis and his NBA future. The 2025 No. 20 pick joined Milwaukee after spending his rookie season with the Miami Heat and being included in the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade. "Jakucionis, he's family. He's an incredible player," Buzelis said. "He's going to have his chance in Milwaukee. I'm excited for him. He works extremely hard, he's a humble kid, and he's going to strive to accomplish his goals." "We're going to be the new leaders of the Lithuanian national team," the Bulls wing added. "Representing Lithuania, it's going to be great whenever we play, whenever we cross paths. It's exciting."
Advertisement
Joel Lorenzi: Asked if the staff talks to Buzelis after a scenario like last night, when he sat in the fourth, Tiago Splitter said "I think we're making this a bigger deal than it should be. It’s just part of basketball. Not having a great night, you play less. It’s not a big deal. He’s gonna bounce back.”
Darryn Peterson: I fell in love with basketball as far back as I can remember. I was surrounded by it at a young age. My dad was the coach. Older brother played. All of my family members played. I was always around it. It was something I always wanted to do. The point when I felt like I could be NBA player was probably my first time going to the NBPA camp in Orlando, Florida (as a high school sophomore in 2022). There were a lot of guys that were older than me there that were projected to go to the NBA. I felt super comfortable and cool with all those guys. So, I saw my confidence grow and I felt like I could play in the NBA. I remember guys like Stephon Castle being there, Matas Buzelis, Jared McCain, all the guys that were ahead of me.
KC Johnson: Matas Buzelis won't return with right ankle injury, per Bulls PR
Advertisement
While coach Tiago Splitter wouldn’t tip his hand on a starting five, it’s felt chalky since the summer when the team signed veteran shooter Norman Powell and acquired Nic Claxton in a trade. That means Josh Giddey and Powell in the backcourt and Claxton, Wilson and Buzelis making up the frontcourt.
A source did say that Karnisovas and the analytics department did stress to Buzelis to stay completely away from mid-range shots if he could help it, and it sounded like two different messages from two different places. Either way, Buzelis, who felt like he shot too many threes at times last year, now feels like the handcuffs are off. Maybe because the message from new coach Tiago Splitter is loud and clear.
