I think I’m going to have to get used to spelling his name… Matas Buzelis. The Bulls drafted this kid in the first round earlier this year; I didn’t know who the heck he was. My son remembered him though… Yes, from the All Star weekend games, where the rookies got knocked out by some G leaguers… that was Buzelis hitting the game winning shot right in Brandon Miller’s grill. Few months later, the Bulls draft him. Since then, MB (see, already have a nickname for him… may change it though) has been providing us plenty of highlights in the NBA summer league. Being a Bulls fan, I’m looking for reasons to be excited for the season… I may have found one.
The kid looks legit, but, but… don’t let the summer league fool you; I’ve been fooled before. Denzel Valentine ring a bell anyone? Yes, he is the guy who hit the game winning shot to win the summer league for the Bulls; I was mildly hyped up. We just so happened to be watching that game and rejoiced when his shot went in. Here comes Mr. Valentine… not so fast my friends. Denzel ended up being a major bust. Remember him pulling up from the logo thinking he’s Curry… in a key game situation mind you… and airballing it; I remember Stacey in disbelief. I had to watch that clip a dozen times, shaking my head each time. After his summer league game winner, that shot will be what I remember him by; that tells you all you need to know about his career. But MB’s highlight package thus far has been different… He’s a high flyer, putting down dunks with authority; that’s fun to watch, but that doesn’t mean he’ll be a stud. Still, remember, I’m looking for anything to be excited about…
The Bulls did sign another guy off the summer league squad… DJ Steward. Yes, a Chicago boy, attending both Whitney Young and Fenwick high schools. He’s been really good too. MB is also from Chicago, attending high school outside of Chicago at Hinsdale Central. I get excited when the Bulls have local talent on their squad; can you imagine how excited I was when the Bulls won that draft lottery which gave us the path to DRose?!?! Not comparing these kids to DRose by any means, just saying… 2 kids from Chicago leading the Bulls youth movement?!?! I like the sound of that.
Of course, the Bulls have other guys who will be playing ahead of these two, one would assume, although I certainly hope these guys are in the rotation; what do we have to lose? Another play-in spot? Seriously, let the kids play. Finding a trade partner for Lavine would certainly free up some PT… anybody, anybody??? Nothing against Coby White; he’ll have to be big this year. Don’t mind the PWill signing; anxious to see what he’ll do with more responsibility. Of course there’s Ayo, another kid from Chicago… so yeah, few pieces from last year I’m excited about (you see I didn’t mention Vooch either), but with an influx of some youth, some kids who can provide some excitement, some hope, and hopefully can develop their games into something… maybe this Bulls season won’t be as bad as I think. It certainly can’t be worse than just running back the same roster. Go Bulls!
Leave a Reply