2024 NBA Draft - Chicago Bulls select Matas Buzelis with the 11th pick

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I'm not saying Matas is a better player or that he definitely will be better than MJ. I'm saying Matas had the most star potential since MJ. He's just way more gifted than Jimmy, and IMO even more gifted than Rose was.

He's no where near as gifted as Rose was. Rose had a much higher skill level than Matas at the same age and was way more of a plus athlete.

Matas is a good looking prospect, looks like a solid athlete, good ball handler, high motor guy, and definitely has that aggressive vibe to his game, but his shot is broken, and he doesn't have any elite physical traits (which will never change) and doesn't have any obvious skills that seem likely to rise to elite level (though you never know what development path he will take).

As a prospect, my closest Bulls comp would be James Johnson, who looked like a very good ball handler with size and two way potential with the hope that if he could fix his shot he'd be really good. Johnson never put together the shot, and bounced around the league as a defender / niche player for a long time. Hopefully Matas learns to shoot.

I suppose it's hard to compare guys who are 6-3 vs 6-10, but per my eye test, Matas has exceptional agility and coordination for his height.

And to me, frame (height, wingspan, standing reach) are enormously important in basketball. I'm heavily biased towards favoring guys with bigger frames, all else being equal.

To me, he seems like a substantially better ball handler than I ever remember Johnson being.

But in fairness, James Johnson was one of our more gifted draftees in the post dynasty era as well. But like Tyrus, never really panned out. Though IIRC somebody eventually gave James a long term high value deal that he never lived up to.

I'm just saying, from a pure project-prospect standpoint, nobody at least since Rose has impressed me nearly as much. I definitely see higher upside in Matas than I saw in guys like Jimmy, Lauri, Wendell, Coby, Patrick, and before Rose, more than Deng, Noah, BG, Kirk, JayWill, Crawford, Brand, Fizer, Tyson.

Curry and Tyrus felt a little more like Rose and Matas to me in terms of physical gifts, but both of them had various issues with the mental aspect of being an NBA player and succeeding.

[dougthonus]

I suppose it's hard to compare guys who are 6-3 vs 6-10, but per my eye test, Matas has exceptional agility and coordination for his height.

And to me, frame (height, wingspan, standing reach) are enormously important in basketball. I'm heavily biased towards favoring guys with bigger frames, all else being equal.

Sure. I mean if you have an elite player, you'd rather have a bigger elite player, but as a lanky PF in the NBA his height, wingspan, strength, or athleticism aren't particularly special. Like the elite version of physical traits in that category is Giannis.

Rose had dominant athleticism for his size/position. Matas does not. If he had the first step and lateral quickness to play SG at his height / wing span, sure, but he doesn't remotely have that kind of athleticism.

To me, he seems like a substantially better ball handler than I ever remember Johnson being.

It's been a long time, but I remember Johnson being a very good ball handler in college for his size, similar to Matas.

But in fairness, James Johnson was one of our more gifted draftees in the post dynasty era as well. But like Tyrus, never really panned out. Though IIRC somebody eventually gave James a long term high value deal that he never lived up to.

Yeah, that was the Heat.

I'm just saying, from a pure project-prospect standpoint, nobody at least since Rose has impressed me nearly as much. I definitely see higher upside in Matas than I saw in guys like Jimmy, Lauri, Wendell, Coby, Patrick, and before Rose, more than Deng, Noah, BG, Kirk, JayWill, Crawford, Brand, Fizer, Tyson.

Curry and Tyrus felt a little more like Rose and Matas to me in terms of physical gifts, but both of them had various issues with the mental aspect of being an NBA player and succeeding.

If you remove the 1% chance development curves of a guy just making a radical leap that is unanticipated, then I'd say Deng, BG, Noah, Chandler, Curry, Jay Williams, Brand, and Rose at the minimum seemed like higher upside prospects to me.

Tyrus is probably another good comparison similar to Johnson, though Tyrus was much more of a pure athlete than Matas and had much less feel for the game and ball-handling.

What excited me most watching Matas in summer league was he seemed to have pretty good feel.

[WindyCityBorn]

I suppose it's hard to compare guys who are 6-3 vs 6-10, but per my eye test, Matas has exceptional agility and coordination for his height.

And to me, frame (height, wingspan, standing reach) are enormously important in basketball. I'm heavily biased towards favoring guys with bigger frames, all else being equal.

Sure. I mean if you have an elite player, you'd rather have a bigger elite player, but as a lanky PF in the NBA his height, wingspan, strength, or athleticism aren't particularly special. Like the elite version of physical traits in that category is Giannis.

Rose had dominant athleticism for his size/position. Matas does not. If he had the first step and lateral quickness to play SG at his height / wing span, sure, but he doesn't remotely have that kind of athleticism.

To me, he seems like a substantially better ball handler than I ever remember Johnson being.

It's been a long time, but I remember Johnson being a very good ball handler in college for his size, similar to Matas.

But in fairness, James Johnson was one of our more gifted draftees in the post dynasty era as well. But like Tyrus, never really panned out. Though IIRC somebody eventually gave James a long term high value deal that he never lived up to.

Yeah, that was the Heat.

I'm just saying, from a pure project-prospect standpoint, nobody at least since Rose has impressed me nearly as much. I definitely see higher upside in Matas than I saw in guys like Jimmy, Lauri, Wendell, Coby, Patrick, and before Rose, more than Deng, Noah, BG, Kirk, JayWill, Crawford, Brand, Fizer, Tyson.

Curry and Tyrus felt a little more like Rose and Matas to me in terms of physical gifts, but both of them had various issues with the mental aspect of being an NBA player and succeeding.

If you remove the 1% chance development curves of a guy just making a radical leap that is unanticipated, then I'd say Deng, BG, Noah, Chandler, Curry, Jay Williams, Brand, and Rose at the minimum seemed like higher upside prospects to me.

Tyrus is probably another good comparison similar to Johnson, though Tyrus was much more of a pure athlete than Matas and had much less feel for the game and ball-handling.

What excited me most watching Matas in summer league was he seemed to have pretty good feel.

He clearly has some defensive instincts that you can’t teach.

[waffle]

Shots can be fixed.

But boy can he handle the ball, for someone that size. Sort of reminds me of Kukoc, but much quicker and more aggressive on the dribble

[DuckIII]

Matas is “exactly” the type of player this team has needed for several years, but the FO ignored: a long mobile rim protecting 4.

We also needed said 4 to be able to shoot the 3, which is a big open question with Matas. But on the other hand his coordination and handle for his size can’t really be taught. It’s a unique asset. Everyone can improve on whatever skills they have of course, but the baseline for what he does with the ball is something you either have or don’t.

Moreover, he appears to be the only 4 fitting this nearly perfect description for us in the entire first round and fell all the way to 11. And he’s from Chicago. It’s basically the perfect scenario for our draft. Pretty crazy.

Looking at this draft it blows my mind he was there at 11.

[chitowndish]

I have to say I’m really impressed with his handle that is much better than I was expecting and that is one of the toughest things to learn. It’s also impressive how much he was creating his own shot I also wasn’t expecting that. Creating foul shots is also great to see. The shooting seems to be the struggle but I feel like that usually comes around over time and he’s showing a lot of other interesting things on offense.

It should be fun watching him with Giddey he should get a lot of opportunity cutting to the basket and with his ability to create his own shot it makes it easy on Giddey having multiple guys he can dump the ball to. It’s also just great that he grew up a Bulls fan he can maybe explain some of our pain to the org.

[Kurt Heimlich]

Missed game 1 so went for the cliff notes version via some reactions here. Happy to read that we've drafted our best talent since the 3rd pick in 1984. The caleb/bedard/matas/(we don't talk about baseball) golden era of Chicago sports must soon be upon us my brothers.

[MrSparkle]

Way too early to tell, but Matas definitely looks to me like one of the better rookies we've drafted. Of course Rose was in another universe, but maybe he's up there with Deng and Lauri as the best combo of skills and length. Doesn't have Lauri's shot, but he has that block timing and his handles and passing look promising (unlike Deng's), and he doesn't seem scared of isolating. If he gets that 3P% in order, he might be the first guy since Kukoc to offer some (secondary) PG skills in a 6'10 frame.

I think Portland, Detroit and Charlotte over-thought this draft.

[Chi town]

He played much like I thought he would without a PG in this hyper summer league where guys play nothing like the real NBA. Insane energy, fouling, and overplaying.

His handle, size and wingspan flash. Looks a lot like Franz as a rookie. I like his shot and I like that he is taking tough 3s off the dribble and step backs.

From interviews he knows his defense will get him mins and he will probably take Pat’s role in the corner and mostly get open 3s that I’m confident he can make at league average.

I do think he looks like a PF on defense with his knack for weak side blocks and rotation. He doesn’t seem quick enough to defend on the perimeter but good enough for PNR switches.

What I like most is his rebounding and staring the break. Think him and Giddey will have us playing like the Lonzo Bulls which is what Billy D wants from his interview at the game.

Crazy how we shot 23 3s and the Bucks got up 39.

[GoBlue72391]

With Butler, or any player, I think you have to base the comparison on Bulls Butler, not what he did later.

Best since MJ is a bit much. What about Pippen?

I like Matas potential and agree with you that itll take time.

Bulls Jimmy Butler is still out best since MJ

I'm not saying Matas is a better player or that he definitely will be better than MJ. I'm saying Matas had the most star potential since MJ. He's just way more gifted than Jimmy, and IMO even more gifted than Rose was.

No way. Rose was the fastest player with the ball I've ever seen in my life and he had unbelievable body control and elite athleticism to go with it. Matas does not have any one elite trait, let alone arguably best of all time like Rose did.

I love the Matas pick, but this is freaking nuts. Absolutely ridiculous and it makes us look like a bunch of homerific jokers.

[Jcool0]

Bulls Jimmy Butler is still out best since MJ

I'm not saying Matas is a better player or that he definitely will be better than MJ. I'm saying Matas had the most star potential since MJ. He's just way more gifted than Jimmy, and IMO even more gifted than Rose was.

No way. Rose was the fastest player with the ball I've ever seen in my life and he had unbelievable body control and elite athleticism to go with it. Matas does not have any one elite trait, let alone arguably best of all time like Rose did.

I love the Matas pick, but this is freaking nuts. Absolutely ridiculous and it makes us look like a bunch of homerific jokers.

Rose: Lane Agility: 11.69, Three Quarter: 3.05, Max Vert: 40,

Matas: Lane Agility: 10.73, Three Quarter: 3.09, Max Vert: 38, Shuttle Run: 2.90

[AshyLarrysDiaper]

‘Matas has more star potential than Rose’ isn’t a point worth engaging. Weekends are short. Preserve yours.

[Jcool0]

‘Matas has more star potential than Rose’ isn’t a point worth engaging. Weekends are short. Preserve yours.

LOL We have a 83 pages on making up trades that will never happen and 13 pages on the Summer League which Derrick Rose played in and did not do well, if that is any indication as to what you can take away from it. Whats the quote: "people in glass houses shouldn't throw stones".

[AshyLarrysDiaper]

‘Matas has more star potential than Rose’ isn’t a point worth engaging. Weekends are short. Preserve yours.

LOL We have a 83 pages on making up trades that will never happen and 13 pages on the Summer League which Derrick Rose played in and did not do well, if that is any indication as to what you can take away from it. Whats the quote: "people in glass houses shouldn't throw stones".

Then have at it, boss.

[pylb]

I'm not saying Matas is a better player or that he definitely will be better than MJ. I'm saying Matas had the most star potential since MJ. He's just way more gifted than Jimmy, and IMO even more gifted than Rose was.

No way. Rose was the fastest player with the ball I've ever seen in my life and he had unbelievable body control and elite athleticism to go with it. Matas does not have any one elite trait, let alone arguably best of all time like Rose did.

I love the Matas pick, but this is freaking nuts. Absolutely ridiculous and it makes us look like a bunch of homerific jokers.

Rose: Lane Agility: 11.69, Three Quarter: 3.05, Max Vert: 40,

Matas: Lane Agility: 10.73, Three Quarter: 3.09, Max Vert: 38, Shuttle Run: 2.90

Donte Divicenzo: Lange Agility: 10.72, Three Quarter: 3.11, Max Vert: 42

[GoBlue72391]

I'm not saying Matas is a better player or that he definitely will be better than MJ. I'm saying Matas had the most star potential since MJ. He's just way more gifted than Jimmy, and IMO even more gifted than Rose was.

No way. Rose was the fastest player with the ball I've ever seen in my life and he had unbelievable body control and elite athleticism to go with it. Matas does not have any one elite trait, let alone arguably best of all time like Rose did.

I love the Matas pick, but this is freaking nuts. Absolutely ridiculous and it makes us look like a bunch of homerific jokers.

Rose: Lane Agility: 11.69, Three Quarter: 3.05, Max Vert: 40,

Matas: Lane Agility: 10.73, Three Quarter: 3.09, Max Vert: 38, Shuttle Run: 2.90

I was talking about his end to end straight line speed with the ball, body control while in air, and explosion and you give me his sideways agility numbers?

LMAO

[GoBlue72391]

No way. Rose was the fastest player with the ball I've ever seen in my life and he had unbelievable body control and elite athleticism to go with it. Matas does not have any one elite trait, let alone arguably best of all time like Rose did.

I love the Matas pick, but this is freaking nuts. Absolutely ridiculous and it makes us look like a bunch of homerific jokers.

Rose: Lane Agility: 11.69, Three Quarter: 3.05, Max Vert: 40,

Matas: Lane Agility: 10.73, Three Quarter: 3.09, Max Vert: 38, Shuttle Run: 2.90

Donte Divicenzo: Lange Agility: 10.72, Three Quarter: 3.11, Max Vert: 42

I will always remember July 14th, 2024 as the day I learned Matas Buzelis and Donte DiVencennzo are more athletic than Derrick Rose.

[Jcool0]

No way. Rose was the fastest player with the ball I've ever seen in my life and he had unbelievable body control and elite athleticism to go with it. Matas does not have any one elite trait, let alone arguably best of all time like Rose did.

I love the Matas pick, but this is freaking nuts. Absolutely ridiculous and it makes us look like a bunch of homerific jokers.

Rose: Lane Agility: 11.69, Three Quarter: 3.05, Max Vert: 40,

Matas: Lane Agility: 10.73, Three Quarter: 3.09, Max Vert: 38, Shuttle Run: 2.90

I was talking about his end to end straight line speed with the ball, body control while in air, and explosion and you give me his sideways agility numbers?

LMAO

I just gave you numbers. You can do whatever you want with them. I never gave you an opinion on either player FWIW.

[Jcool0]

No way. Rose was the fastest player with the ball I've ever seen in my life and he had unbelievable body control and elite athleticism to go with it. Matas does not have any one elite trait, let alone arguably best of all time like Rose did.

I love the Matas pick, but this is freaking nuts. Absolutely ridiculous and it makes us look like a bunch of homerific jokers.

Rose: Lane Agility: 11.69, Three Quarter: 3.05, Max Vert: 40,

Matas: Lane Agility: 10.73, Three Quarter: 3.09, Max Vert: 38, Shuttle Run: 2.90

Donte Divicenzo: Lange Agility: 10.72, Three Quarter: 3.11, Max Vert: 42

Divicenzo just averaged almost 18 ppg in the playoffs and 42% from 3 on 8 attempts. If Matas does that i think most Bulls fans would jump for joy.

[GoBlue72391]

Rose: Lane Agility: 11.69, Three Quarter: 3.05, Max Vert: 40,

Matas: Lane Agility: 10.73, Three Quarter: 3.09, Max Vert: 38, Shuttle Run: 2.90

I was talking about his end to end straight line speed with the ball, body control while in air, and explosion and you give me his sideways agility numbers?

LMAO

I just gave you numbers. You can do whatever you want with them. I never gave you an opinion on either player FWIW.

Buzelis has tremendous potential. It's also a complete joke to say he has more star potential than Rose. Both of these statements can be true at the same time.

Why don't you plainly say what your point was by posting their combine numbers?