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

[Lunartic]

Rose was MVP guys... As non Bull fan lurker, I will take a risk here and say he was not deserving that MVP, in my opinion, but point is, he was a superstar at very young age.

Deserving is a weird term, I don't think Rose was a top 10 guy at any point in his career, but that year, his team had the best record, was 3-0 against Miami, and he was the only offensive initiator on the team and a true star and only true star on the team. The MVP typically goes to the best player on the best team if they have real separation from the other guys on their team and Rose did.

In that sense, I think the MVP was very much deserved, but it shouldn't be confused with the idea that he was the best player in the league. Not even close.

I can argue that his impact was significant, possibly even a top-five player that year. D Rose dominated on both ends, and he was ice-cold in the clutch. He decimated the opposition- there are anecdotes in circulation. We never got to see those wildly inflated numbers like Kevin Love, or even the standard in today's game, but his impact translated to wins (for the team and the viewer), and he did it consistently when healthy.

Agreed, I don't understand this severe underrating of Rose. People constantly bash him as undeserving of MVP when he had the best record in the NBA and beat his competitors in head2head RS matchups. He also didn't have the luxury of playing with an ATG in Wade.

Howard is the only other guy that was is contention and his team was 10 games worse.

Rose 100% was the MVP that year and he was absolutely a top-3 player let alone top-10.

[dougthonus]

Just because I haven't seen this version of it posted here:

Read on Twitter

The stare down at the end and how he follows him with the stare down as Plowden gets up, then stares into the camera might be more swag than the rest of this Bulls team combined.

[Lexluthor]

Jokic second mvp is worst when than the year Derrick rose won his mvp . That team was the 8th seed and got smoked in the first round of the playoffs against the warriors

[Alcatraz17]

Just because I haven't seen this version of it posted here:

Read on Twitter

The stare down at the end and how he follows him with the stare down as Plowden gets up, then stares into the camera might be more swag than the rest of this Bulls team combined.

It's been quite enjoyable watching hype and expectations sizzle around him.

Very much looking forward to the casual bulls community start to embrace him.

[Bulliever2020]

Just because I haven't seen this version of it posted here:

Read on Twitter

The stare down at the end and how he follows him with the stare down as Plowden gets up, then stares into the camera might be more swag than the rest of this Bulls team combined.

It's been quite enjoyable watching hype and expectations sizzle around him.

Very much looking forward to the casual bulls community start to embrace him.

Him being a local kid and having that competitive dawg in him, Chicago is going to absolutely love him. Going to be a lot of Buzelis jerseys being purchased.

[Dominator83]

Couple pointers.
First Matas tried gymnastics (I was surprised) - means good coordination.
Second was swimming (breast stroke). Had very good results. Means his lungs are OK. That's why he has not a high motor but a turbo one.
Though born in USA, Matas DNA is a 100% Lithuanian. We, Lithuanians, are Nordic people, our skeletal structure matures couple years later than other nationalities closer to equator. We have to be patient. Matas will complete his "bone strength' in 3+ years. His non-existent muscles are lean, will get better in time too. Matas shoulders will get wider too, thus his reach will improve a bit too.
All and all - kid has all the tools. I don't want to put him in the classical category of PF or SF. Matas is a modern age forward.
JV had a lengthy interview with one Lithuanian site. He spoke about Matas too. He remembers very well young Matas running under the table (Matas father worked with the LTU NT). JV called Matas a unicorn - basically, with his size Matas can play as a guard. JV visited Matas family during pandemic. Matas was always in touch through the internet with different coaches and training non-stop ("instead of lying somewhere on the beach" (JV's quote)). Last thing JV mentioned - Matas now have more fire in his eyes. To prove that all teams that picked 1-10 were wrong
Anyway, sky is the limit for the kid.

In 3 years I'm legit thinking he goes #1 in re-drafts

[Alcatraz17]

Just because I haven't seen this version of it posted here:

Read on Twitter

The stare down at the end and how he follows him with the stare down as Plowden gets up, then stares into the camera might be more swag than the rest of this Bulls team combined.

It's been quite enjoyable watching hype and expectations sizzle around him.

Very much looking forward to the casual bulls community start to embrace him.

Him being a local kid and having that competitive dawg in him, Chicago is going to absolutely love him. Going to be a lot of Buzelis jerseys being purchased.

Agreed. Lithuanians are no-joke, hard-working people. Should be fun!

[Wingy]

Surprised I haven’t seen this…

How long until he’s better than Patrick Williams?

Five regular season games? Two? Right now?

[Muzbar]

It's amazing how many people have come around on Matas, there were people here that said if Matas was available at 11 they'd still pass on him.

I'm amazing at how many are now on board the Matas train, I don't think I've seen this board almost unanimously behind a prospect.

I think some may need to pump the brakes a little though, some are getting overly hyped and may be setting too high of an expectation on him, he's played 3 SL games, let him develop and grow.

The next SL game is going to be good though I reckon, Matas will be up against Risacher (if he plays), time to see him back up his talk.

[kodo]

Deserving is a weird term, I don't think Rose was a top 10 guy at any point in his career, but that year, his team had the best record, was 3-0 against Miami, and he was the only offensive initiator on the team and a true star and only true star on the team. The MVP typically goes to the best player on the best team if they have real separation from the other guys on their team and Rose did.

In that sense, I think the MVP was very much deserved, but it shouldn't be confused with the idea that he was the best player in the league. Not even close.

I can argue that his impact was significant, possibly even a top-five player that year. D Rose dominated on both ends, and he was ice-cold in the clutch. He decimated the opposition- there are anecdotes in circulation. We never got to see those wildly inflated numbers like Kevin Love, or even the standard in today's game, but his impact translated to wins (for the team and the viewer), and he did it consistently when healthy.

Agreed, I don't understand this severe underrating of Rose. People constantly bash him as undeserving of MVP when he had the best record in the NBA and beat his competitors in head2head RS matchups. He also didn't have the luxury of playing with an ATG in Wade.

Howard is the only other guy that was is contention and his team was 10 games worse.

Rose 100% was the MVP that year and he was absolutely a top-3 player let alone top-10.

The debate was over when they asked Lebron who he would vote for and he said Rose, after being swept in the regular season.
It's crazy to think all those guys would be on the same team if Chicago freed up enough cap room.

[Dez]

It's the want to dunk that I love, he just f***ing dunks.

[jordanwilliams6]

It's amazing how many people have come around on Matas, there were people here that said if Matas was available at 11 they'd still pass on him.

I'm amazing at how many are now on board the Matas train, I don't think I've seen this board almost unanimously behind a prospect.

I think some may need to pump the brakes a little though, some are getting overly hyped and may be setting too high of an expectation on him, he's played 3 SL games, let him develop and grow.

The next SL game is going to be good though I reckon, Matas will be up against Risacher (if he plays), time to see him back up his talk.

I know it sounds absolutely ridiculous but I'm not sure there's another prospect I'd take in this draft over Matas.

Maybe Risacher stays at number 1 but similarly he is incredibly raw as well. I've said it before but the thing that will seperate Buz is his determination and mentality. You need that in the NBA to be successful.

Also at the end of the day, Matas' might not work out but at this point in their careers, all we're talking about is potential with all of them.

[madvillian]

It's the want to dunk that I love, he just f***ing dunks.

I appreciate that he has different dunks too. Like Pat, Pat has one dunk, it's cock it back and hope he can jump over a guy. That isn't going to work in the NBA unless you're like Shawn Kemp. Matas has a various amount of dunks he can do that are more than just a robotic motion.

[Muzbar]

It's amazing how many people have come around on Matas, there were people here that said if Matas was available at 11 they'd still pass on him.

I'm amazing at how many are now on board the Matas train, I don't think I've seen this board almost unanimously behind a prospect.

I think some may need to pump the brakes a little though, some are getting overly hyped and may be setting too high of an expectation on him, he's played 3 SL games, let him develop and grow.

The next SL game is going to be good though I reckon, Matas will be up against Risacher (if he plays), time to see him back up his talk.

I know it sounds absolutely ridiculous but I'm not sure there's another prospect I'd take in this draft over Matas.

Maybe Risacher stays at number 1 but similarly he is incredibly raw as well. I've said it before but the thing that will seperate Buz is his determination and mentality. You need that in the NBA to be successful.

Also at the end of the day, Matas' might not work out but at this point in their careers, all we're talking about is potential with all of them.

Don't get me wrong, I love Matas, in the "too early draft" thread I'm there asking for Matas, I harped on and on about him leading up to to draft to the point I felt I had to stop so I didn't annoy everyone with my constant talk about him.

I just feel people are putting very high early expectations on a guy that was just drafted, I'm seeing things like best prospect since Pippen etc, I get it, the kid has a ton of potential but he's got a few things to iron out and work on before we start putting these lofty expectations in our minds.

I'm super excited about Matas, he was the no. 1 guy I wanted in this draft, I was so excited when I finally heard his name being called and that he was coming to the Bulls (I scared my kids with how loudly I yelled).

I'm excited to watch him grow, he's potentially the sole reason I may get league pass this year.

[Dan Z]

It's amazing how many people have come around on Matas, there were people here that said if Matas was available at 11 they'd still pass on him.

I'm amazing at how many are now on board the Matas train, I don't think I've seen this board almost unanimously behind a prospect.

I think some may need to pump the brakes a little though, some are getting overly hyped and may be setting too high of an expectation on him, he's played 3 SL games, let him develop and grow.

The next SL game is going to be good though I reckon, Matas will be up against Risacher (if he plays), time to see him back up his talk.

I know it sounds absolutely ridiculous but I'm not sure there's another prospect I'd take in this draft over Matas.

Maybe Risacher stays at number 1 but similarly he is incredibly raw as well. I've said it before but the thing that will seperate Buz is his determination and mentality. You need that in the NBA to be successful.

Also at the end of the day, Matas' might not work out but at this point in their careers, all we're talking about is potential with all of them.

Don't get me wrong, I love Matas, in the "too early draft" thread I'm there asking for Matas, I harped on and on about him leading up to to draft to the point I felt I had to stop so I didn't annoy everyone with my constant talk about him.

I just feel people are putting very high early expectations on a guy that was just drafted, I'm seeing things like best prospect since Pippen etc, I get it, the kid has a ton of potential but he's got a few things to iron out and work on before we start putting these lofty expectations in our minds.

I'm super excited about Matas, he was the no. 1 guy I wanted in this draft, I was so excited when I finally heard his name being called and that he was coming to the Bulls (I scared my kids with how loudly I yelled).

I'm excited to watch him grow, he's potentially the sole reason I may get league pass this year.

I agree, but Bulls fans haven't had something to get excited about in awhile. Then when you look at the teams history, when it comes to prospects, its not a big list.

One thing most people should keep in mind is that hes only 19 years old. It'll take time.

[Dan Z]

It's amazing how many people have come around on Matas, there were people here that said if Matas was available at 11 they'd still pass on him.

I'm amazing at how many are now on board the Matas train, I don't think I've seen this board almost unanimously behind a prospect.

I think some may need to pump the brakes a little though, some are getting overly hyped and may be setting too high of an expectation on him, he's played 3 SL games, let him develop and grow.

The next SL game is going to be good though I reckon, Matas will be up against Risacher (if he plays), time to see him back up his talk.

I know it sounds absolutely ridiculous but I'm not sure there's another prospect I'd take in this draft over Matas.

Maybe Risacher stays at number 1 but similarly he is incredibly raw as well. I've said it before but the thing that will seperate Buz is his determination and mentality. You need that in the NBA to be successful.

Also at the end of the day, Matas' might not work out but at this point in their careers, all we're talking about is potential with all of them.

Don't get me wrong, I love Matas, in the "too early draft" thread I'm there asking for Matas, I harped on and on about him leading up to to draft to the point I felt I had to stop so I didn't annoy everyone with my constant talk about him.

I just feel people are putting very high early expectations on a guy that was just drafted, I'm seeing things like best prospect since Pippen etc, I get it, the kid has a ton of potential but he's got a few things to iron out and work on before we start putting these lofty expectations in our minds.

I'm super excited about Matas, he was the no. 1 guy I wanted in this draft, I was so excited when I finally heard his name being called and that he was coming to the Bulls (I scared my kids with how loudly I yelled).

I'm excited to watch him grow, he's potentially the sole reason I may get league pass this year.

I agree, but Bulls fans haven't had something to get excited about in awhile. Then when you look at the teams history, when it comes to prospects, its not a big list.

One thing most people should keep in mind is that hes only 19 years old. It'll take time.

[WindyCityBorn]

Surprised I haven’t seen this…

How long until he’s better than Patrick Williams?

Five regular season games? Two? Right now?

He isn’t Williams replacement. Ideally they play together. Unless we luck into Flagg or another star caliber F. Would be a hell of defensive frontcourt tandem at F.

[The Force.]

Based on the SL eye test he looks promising:
Nice fluid game. Doesn't rush. Crafty on offense. Generally has good instincts around the rim. Tight handle. Smooth release. Solid IQ. All the things you look for in a young player.

Again it's SL so grain of salt, of course. But as of right now I think Bulls fans should be fairly optimistic.

[madvillian]

Based on the SL eye test he looks promising:
Nice fluid game. Doesn't rush. Crafty on offense. Generally has good instincts around the rim. Tight handle. Smooth release. Solid IQ. All the things you look for in a young player.

Again it's SL so grain of salt, of course. But as of right now I think Bulls fans should be fairly optimistic.

Watched every minute of the SL for us and at least an hour of so of his scouting vids prior, and the SL moved the needle for me to something like floor of weak or maybe borderline useful starter and ceiling of star or even borderline superstar. Before I thought floor was like 10th man and ceiling star. Honestly wasn't too impressed with his G League highlights, but being a young pro isn't easy.

He clearly viewed SL as an opportunity to prove something and he had the talent and skills to back that game plan up.

Kinda odd to see a guy raise his floor so much in a few games but he was clearly the standout player in every game he played Bulls or opposition, if you were a scout, and many have chimed in on twitter, you came away impressed, eye test and box scores.

[VolumePoster]

I actually think he's a better defender than advertised. Weak side shot blocks sure. But he moves his feet well and gets his hand on the ball. Gives effort. With strength he could be a good team defender.